Smart Industry - Automating Industrial Efficiency
An exciting resurgence of investment and innovation in industrial equipment and infrastructure is happening now. Ready to be a part of it? Your vision becomes a reality when you have a partner, like Avnet Silica, whose expertise around interoperability, security, and connectivity, can make your vision a reality, faster.
With Avnet Silica, you’ll get the best balance of precision and rugged, long-life performance, sharing technology options to find the best fit for your application. We cover all of the bases for designing, building and getting your industrial application to market. Let us put our experience developing long life applications to work for you.
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Applications require a team with laser focus
“Industrial” is a broad category and often means different things to different people. Avnet Silica solves for this by getting specific around each industrial segment. Regardless of the area you’re going after, we have the technical experts whose practical experience enables them to speak your language.
Our team keeps your business objectives front and center when we are designing unique solutions to achieve your goals, and will clearly spell out the pros and cons for each one. We will address your specific requirements, while also taking into account where your equipment will be used and how it operates in the field.
- Building a custom appliance? Our field applications engineers (FAE) are factory certified in every technology.
- Looking to deliver your Intellectual Property (IP) via software or an app? Our system engineers (SE) can help create a fully integrated hardware appliance and tie in services to collect royalties on your behalf.
- Delivering a service to your end customer? Avnet Silica can help you get your solution to market with cloud services such as remote monitoring and predictive maintenance.
Dominance of Ethernet
Ethernet underpins metropolitan networks that include residential, commercial, infrastructure, fixed line and mobile communications.
Historically most of the telecommunications network was based on SONET or SDH, however to reduce the costs and to commoditise the network Ethernet has been widely adopted. Ethernet itself is non deterministic in nature, so features like OAM, 1588 and sync have been added to improve the networks quality and performance.
These additions have helped Ethernet spread to nearly every market and product type Industrial, Military, Medical, Security, IOT, Telecommunications, Transport, Entertainment, Energy, Data Centres, Video and many more.
The Emergence of Single Pair Ethernet
Conventional Ethernet which is based on industrial applications requires two or four pairs of wires. In comparison, Single Pair Ethernet only has one pair. Compared to the four and eight wires in conventional Ethernet cable categories this two-wire design cuts cabling weight nearly in half.
While SPE is not likely to displace any existing technologies without good reason, it will be the only technology suitable for some emerging applications, particularly in the IIoT. That, alone, will guarantee its success.
Philip Ling, Senior Technology writer with Avnet, explores what single-pair Ethernet brings to the IIoT.
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Ethernet Evolution: The Rise of SPE and TSN in Industrial
As industrial automation deployments advance, factory floor space becomes a premium. With typically only room for one control cabinet per production process, squeezing more technology into a single cabinet is imperative. With its thinner cable dimensions and improved bending radius compared to a four-pair Ethernet cable, SPE offers significant gains. As highlighted, SPE delivers enterprise-grade interoperable and unified Ethernet communications from IT to OT and right down to edge devices.
Combined with TSN's deterministic and bounded latency attributes, SPE and TSN enable a new generation of real-time industrial automation use cases. Also, with production and manufacturing efficiencies increasing under the spotlight, monitoring and controlling increasingly diverse and connected production assets as a single entity requires resilient, robust and deterministic communications.
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Smart Manufacturing and Factory Automation
Smart manufacturing and factory automation are rapidly evolving trends that are reshaping the landscape of industrial production. Smart manufacturing involves the integration of advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and robotics to create more efficient, flexible, and responsive production processes. Factory automation goes beyond traditional robotic systems, encompassing the use of sensors, actuators, and interconnected systems to streamline operations, enhance quality control, and reduce human intervention. These advancements enable real-time monitoring, data-driven decision-making, predictive maintenance, and agile production adjustments, resulting in improved productivity, reduced downtime, and optimized resource utilization. Moreover, the rise of collaborative robots, or cobots, has allowed for safer human-robot collaboration, leading to more flexible manufacturing setups. As these technologies continue to mature, smart manufacturing and factory automation are poised to revolutionize industries by offering enhanced precision, scalability, sustainability, and competitiveness in a rapidly changing global market.
A Match Made in Automation
Our five-part 'Match Made in Automation' series explores how new and future technologies are revolutionising factory automation.
- Part 1: Factory automation realizes boost from new technologies
- Part 2: How are magnetic rotary encoders used in industrial automation?
- Part 3: Explore options for choosing an optical rotary encoder for motion control and position sensing
- Part 4: AI takes on growing role in HVAC system efficiencies
- Part 5: Extending operational lifetime for battery-powered devices is crucial
See part one
Next-Gen Technologies for Factory Automation
Factory automation is evolving at a very rapid pace. Industry 4.0 and IIoT, along with technologies, such as AI, TSN, and 5G communication, collaborative robots, cloud computing, digital twin, or high-performance edge computing, are enabling machine manufacturers to fully merge physical and digital processes, improving productivity and reducing downtime.
Join Avnet Silica and our world-class supplier partners for this webinar series, where industry pioneers and leading experts will present next-gen technologies for factory automation.
Watch on-demand
The Evolution, Impact and Future of Defect Visual Inspection
In the complex realm of manufacturing, Defect Visual Inspection (DVI) has emerged as a critical process, evolving significantly over time. As manufacturing processes continue to become more sophisticated, the importance and effectiveness of advanced DVI solutions escalate, presenting opportunities for improved quality control.
DVI is finding diverse applications across several industries like automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and packaging. Among the array of solutions available, Avnet Silica’s solution stands out.
Smart City - Building the Cities of the Future
Smart cities are set to play a pivotal role in the future, as urbanisation accelerates and technology becomes more integrated into our daily lives. These cities leverage data-driven technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics, to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and quality of urban living. By optimising infrastructure, transportation, energy distribution, waste management, and public services, smart cities can alleviate congestion, reduce energy consumption, minimise environmental impact, and improve overall quality of life for residents. These advancements not only lead to more responsive and citizen-centric governance but also foster innovation hubs, attracting investment and talent. Smart cities enable seamless connectivity, enhanced safety through predictive analytics, and improved resource allocation, making them crucial for addressing challenges like population growth, climate change, and resource constraints. As technology continues to evolve, smart cities are positioned to create more inclusive, resilient, and livable urban environments that cater to the needs of both present and future generations.
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Smart City and other connected markets/technologies
Industrial IoT
The role of IoT in Industrial and Industry 4.0
The Industrial IoT (IIoT) provides the fundamental technologies needed to support Industry 4.0 and the move toward higher productivity. Avnet Silica is committed to enabling your digital transformation to Industry 4.0.
Robotics
Robotics: Enabling Intelligent, Connected and Collaborative Systems
Avnet Silica helps customers with their robotics challenges by combining leading semiconductor technologies, embedded architectures, engineering expertise and supply-chain support to accelerate the development of next-generation robotics solutions.
Capability insights: datacom
With the spread of Ethernet through many systems and applications, Datacom is found in a huge number of applications and solutions. See datacom solution examples in the Avnet Silica Datacom capability insights to learn more.
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AI/Machine Learning
AI and ML is set to play a pivotal role in the creation and development of smart cities by analysing vast amounts of data from diverse sources to optimize urban services, improve resource allocation and enhance infrastructure efficiency.
Smart City
Healthcare
For well over a decade, Avnet Silica has been recognised by the medical industry’s leading brands as a key partner when it comes to making breakthrough applications come to life.
Smart City
Asset Tracking
Avnet Silica and its leading suppliers are supporting a number of businesses across EMEA to revolutionise their asset tracking systems and procedures, making their business smarter, more profitable and giving them an advantage over their competition.
Power
Power management & technologies
There is a tectonic shift taking place. A shift in the way we generate and store energy. A shift in the way we power devices. Technology is shifting. Consumer needs are shifting. Avnet Silica is helping its customers make the shift.
Smart City
Clean Energy & Infrastructure
Avnet Silica is involved with every facet of the energy transformation and no matter what you’re designing, our experience and broad offering will ensure your application is fully charged for success.
Smart City
Smart Agriculture
The transition to connected and autonomous agricultural platforms represents a significant opportunity for equipment manufacturers, system integrators and technology providers developing next-generation systems.
Smart City
EV Charging
The future of Automotive is electric. From the forecourt to the cloud, we complement your skillset to get your EV charging requirements deployed faster, better and stronger.
Smart City
Smart Home / Building Automation
Today’s consumers and commercial property operators expect connected, intelligent devices and systems in every aspect of their lives or businesses. Consumers seek convenience, while commercial operators demand efficiency.
Avnet Silica & Tria QCS6490 Vision-AI Development Kit
The QCS6490 Vision-AI Development Kit features an energy-efficient, multi-camera, SMARC 2.1.1 compute module, based on the Qualcomm QCS6490 SOC device.
High performance cores on the QCS6490 SOC include an 8-core Kryo™ 670 CPU, Adreno 643 GPU, Hexagon DSP and 6th gen AI Engine (13 TOPS), Spectra 570L ISP (64MP/30fps capability) and Adreno 633 VPU (4K30/4K60 enc/dec rates), ensure that exceptional concurrent video I/O processing performance is delivered.
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Renesas Advanced Motor Control Solutions
Renesas motor‑control solutions deliver the performance, precision and real‑time responsiveness needed for modern motion systems. Built on high‑efficiency Arm®‑based MCUs and MPUs with advanced peripheral sets and integrated safety features, these devices support accurate control, fast feedback and reliable operation across demanding applications.
From multi‑axis robotics and industrial automation to PTZ camera platforms and high‑performance consumer appliances, Renesas technology enables stable, deterministic motor control with streamlined development through tools such as QE for Motor. This portfolio provides engineers with a robust foundation for building efficient, scalable and future‑ready motion systems.
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AMD
x86 Embedded
The AMD x86 embedded processor portfolio brings you scalable performance, design freedom, and faster paths to market - backed by expert support at every step.
Tools
Design Hub
Browse and review over a thousand proven reference designs to accelerate your design process. Try our design tool and then export it to your CAD tool of choice.
NXP
i.MX95
The i.MX 95 applications processor family delivers safe, secure, power efficient edge computing for use in aerospace, automotive edge, commercial IoT, industrial, medical, and network platforms.
Technologies
Sensing
With our technical expertise we will help you choose the right sensing solution, shorten your design cycles and get your products to market faster.
Renesas
RZ/V2L MPU Series
The RZ/V series is embedded with Renesas’ original AI accelerator – DRP AI, targeted at the vision AI market space. The DRP AI delivers both high performance and low power consumption.
Markets
Lighting
Avnet Silica partners with industry supply leaders, across each technology, to ensure our robust, on-hand inventory features the most popular state-of-the-art lighting solutions.
onsemi
Sensors for Autonomous Mobile Robots
Sensors are key components for mobile robotics and play a fundamental role both for interaction with the environment, safety and for autonomy.
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