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EtherCAT Network Market Overview
EtherCAT Network Market size is analysed to
grow at a CAGR of 6.1 % during the forecast 2021-2026 to reach $4.2 billion by 2026. EtherCAT
features the possibility to scan and compare the actual network topology with
the planned topology during boot-up process. EtherCAT's system also includes a plethora
of additional diagnostic features. The programmable logic controller (PLC)
reference platform in EtherCAT is designed to make industrial control system
development easier. One
special EtherCAT feature is the option to route all communication through the
internal I/O terminal bus as well, Electrical contact Points. However, the
superior performance often cited in connection with this feature is offset by
the safety risk due to increased susceptibility for interference (contacts and
EMC). EtherCAT has emerged as the most adaptable and fast Ethernet field bus
for industrial applications. It is an open function library that allows
industrial devices to be seamlessly integrated into the industrial automation
process. It is a low-cost, flexible solution that is also simple to implement.
This is expected to boost the market growth of EtherCAT.
EtherCAT Network Market Report
Coverage
The report: “EtherCAT Network Industry Outlook –
Forecast (2021-2026)”, by IndustryARC covers an in-depth analysis of the
following segments of the EtherCAT Network industry.
By Protocol: EtherCAT, EtherCAT P, EthetCAT
G, Communication Profiles (CoE, SoE, EoE, FoE, AoE)
By Component: Media Converters, Cables and Connectors, Switches, Sensors,
Gateways, Drive Systems, Valve Systems, Mechatronic Components, Control
Systems, Others.
By Application: Robotics, Machine Tools,
Packaging machines, Printing Presses, Power Plants, Material handling
applications, Automated Assembly Systems, Welding Machines, Farm Machinery,
Offshore Applications, Building Automation System, Wind turbines, Medical
Devices, Others.
By End-User: Aerospace, Automotive,
Military, Marine, Chemicals, Food Processing, Textiles, Oil Fields, Construction,
Agriculture, Timber & Logging.
By Geography: North America, South America,
Europe, APAC, and RoW
Key Takeaways
- EtherCAT is compatible with the entire CANopen family, as well as the Sercos, drive profile. By modifying predefined basic profiles, users can easily configure EtherCAT networks to the specific application.
- Automotive is one of the most important end-use industries for EtherCAT Network, and it is expected to continue to dominate the market due to the growing demand for advanced automation in the automobile manufacturing hubs around the world.
- In the fieldbus domain, EtherCAT is the dominant technology, and Ethernet is the standard for wired office applications that use switching technology. TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking) is a network technology that enables real-time communication in a heterogeneous environment. A combination of these two technologies is required in some cases. A better understanding of TSN and the streaming concept is required for a successful factory floor implementation. Adoption of EtherCAT in this environment is very efficient, requiring only an upgrade on the master side and no changes to the slaves, as well as a moderate extension of the bridges connecting EtherCAT segments.
EtherCAT Network Market, By Region, 2020
EtherCAT Network Market Segment Analysis – By Protocol
During the
forecast period the EtherCAT segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.9%. The EtherCAT protocol
extends the IEEE 802 standard by allowing data transfer with precise synchronisation
and predictable timing. Furthermore, the cycle time is guaranteed to be 100
microseconds, with a maximum jitter time of 1 microsecond. This means that with
architectures distributed along the fieldbus, such architecture allows for the
development of real-time and CNC hard motion applications. As a result, the use
of EtherCAT applications in industrial automation has increased dramatically.
So much so that the EtherCAT bus is now accepted as a standard for distributed
applications in this industry. This standardisation has resulted in an
additional benefit, a significant reduction in the cost of devices with
EtherCAT interfaces.
EtherCAT Network Market Segment Analysis – By End-User
By Industry, Automotive
industry segment is analysed to grow at highest CAGR of 7.2% during the
forecast period 2021-2026. Automotive is one of the most important end-use
industries for EtherCAT Network, and it is expected to continue to dominate the
market due to the growing demand for advanced automation in automobile
manufacturing hubs around the world. Water level monitoring sensors, AC drives,
and controllers are also important components of water treatment systems, and
an EtherCAT network is used to facilitate communication between these systems.
With the adoption of automation and connectivity, the automotive industry
continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Manufacturers invest significant time and
money in developing and improving the manufacturing process, and they heavily
rely on technological innovations to improve vehicle quality and overall
production efficiency. EtherCAT Network take advantage of the benefits of the
industrial internet to connect machines, data, and people in order to achieve
unrivalled levels of information visibility and manufacturing insight. This
aids in the acceleration of production, the improvement of quality, and the
reduction of costs.
EtherCAT Network Market Segment Analysis - By Geography
APAC is expected to grow at a CAGR of 26.1% during the forecast 2021-2026 for the EtherCAT Network Market. APAC is currently the largest manufacturing hub for automobile manufacturers and electronics manufacturers. Companies in APAC use advanced automation systems to compete with other global players, which necessitate highly reliable communication networks for machine-to-machine (M2M) communication in their plants. APAC manufacturing firms widely use the smart factory concept to implement advanced manufacturing technologies on the factory floor. This innovative concept has transformed APAC's manufacturing sector and increased the use of smart automation in factories. The increasing acceptance of Industrial Revolution 4.0 in APAC is also a factor driving the regional market's growth. The decrease in the number of COVID-19 patients in China is gradually normalising the country's manufacturing activities. This, in turn, is expected to fuel the growth of the APAC EtherCAT network market.
EtherCAT Network Market
Growing demand for communication protocols that are scalable, fast,
reliable, and interoperable:
EtherCAT Network is required for
complete transparency within an industrial plant as well as between the plant
and enterprise networks. The core of the Industry 4.0 concept is a dependable
communication network. Both industrial automation and industrial communication
networks rely heavily on real-time operational requirements. As a result, they
must be able to handle data in a deterministic and redundant manner. The
networks must be scalable across a wide range of equipment that operates on
multiple standards and interfaces. A factory system should be able to provide
quick response times as well as high efficiency and dependability. Designers
must choose the best communication technology, navigate a multiprotocol
environment, and cover a wide range of industrial equipment to achieve these
benefits. As a result of the growing need for scalable and interoperable
protocols, initiatives to develop a new set of communication products have
increased.
Emergence of 5G:
The importance of industrial communication in Industry 4.0
cannot be overstated. While companies are focusing on making their
manufacturing processes smarter, they must also consider the most advanced
communication technology to do so. 5G contributes to the improvement of other
wireless systems' shortcomings. The manufacturing industry will undergo a
significant transformation as 5G technology becomes available. Because of the
ultra-low latency and reliability of 5G connectivity, it is possible to deploy
safe, flexible, and efficient manufacturing systems. 5G allows for the
continued automation of robots and warehouse transportation while eliminating
the need for cables. Emergence of 5G will eventually help to boost market
growth of EtherCAT.
EtherCAT Network
Market
Threats related to Cybersecurity:
Due to the obvious increasing
instances of virus attacks and hacking, increasing cybersecurity threats pose a
significant challenge for industrial communication solution providers. Viruses
can tamper with vital information in computer systems, resulting in significant
losses for industries. As a result, if communication software systems are not
properly secured, the entire information flow may be disrupted. The industrial
sector is increasingly reliant on web-based communication and off-the-shelf IT
solutions. As a result, industries that use such communications are vulnerable
to malware aimed at industrial systems. With the rise in cyberattacks on
critical infrastructure over the last decade, cybersecurity is becoming a top
priority for industrial automation users and vendors. Ransomware is a type of
computer malware that has largely replaced advanced persistent threat (APT)
network attacks. This attack was discovered in the last decade and is now
regarded as one of the most serious cybersecurity threats.
EtherCAT Network Market Landscape
Product launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the EtherCAT Network. EtherCAT Network top 10 companies are Asix Electronics, Beckhoff Automation, Hilscher, HMS Industrial Network, Infineon, Innovasic, Microchip, Profichip, Texas Instruments, Trinamics.
Acquisitions/Technology Launches/Partnerships
In December 2020, Alley-Bradley 440G-MZ guard locking switches were introduced by Rockwell Automation. These solutions offer a safety-based communications protocol that provides access to diagnostic information and simplifies integration into a networked enterprise.