Deterministic ethernet switching

Harting Technology has developed prototypes of what it calls Fast Track Switching. Fully compatible with standard ethernet, the Fast Track Switch guarantees deterministic data transmission at the field level. This makes it possible to meet high real-time requirements in automation without changing the standard ethernet.

All the benefits of standard ethernet are preserved, such as flexibility, many degrees of freedom and a large portfolio of globally available devices and established technology. No special hardware is required in the terminal units.

The switches guarantee on-time data transport, and this works for various automation profiles, such as ProfiNet RT, Ethernet/IP, ModbusTCP and all other standard industrial ethernet protocols that can be identified in their headers. These protocols are given priority, identified and sent using cut-through switching methods.