ARC White paper: Schneider Electric Introduces First ePAC, Combines PAC with Ethernet Backbone

ARC WHITE PAPER
By ARC Advisory Group

NOVEMBER 2013

Schneider Electric Introduces First ePAC,
Combines PAC with Ethernet Backbone
Executive Overview ...................................................................... 1
Latest Trends and Market Drivers ................................................... 3
Schneider Electric’s New Modicon M580 ePAC .................................. 5
M580 ePAC Value Propositions ....................................................... 7
M580 ePAC Competitive Differentiators ......................................... 10
M580 ePAC Target Applications .................................................... 14
Summary and Conclusions .......................................................... 16

VISION, EXPERIENCE, ANSWERS FOR INDUSTRY

ARC White Paper • November 2013

Executive Overview
To obtain the various multi-disciplinary functionalities needed to run their
plants, process end users in industries such as water & wastewater, food &
As a hub for both real-time control
and information, PACs can benefit
from being designed with an open
Ethernet backbone to optimize

beverage, metals & mining, hydropower, and cement &
glass expect secure, reliable interoperability among their
automation products. This need for functional interoperability has resulted in automation solutions that em-

connectivity and communications,

employ a multitude of different drivers, networks, and

increase bandwidth, and provide a

standards. However, interoperability becomes less criti-

high level of security.

cal if a single product can provide a large percentage of
the required functionality. This has led to the growth of

the multi-disciplined controller, which ARC Advisory Group dubbed the
programmable automation controller, or PAC, back in 2002.
PACs typically provide complete automation, real-time information, and
motion control functionality using a single programming and engineering
tool and a single programming language. PACs provide transparent access
across all parameters and functions, along with easy integration to the
enterprise though the use of Internet and other IT standards.
As the needs of process end users continue to evolve to meet their everincreasing

challenges

for

productivity,

flexibility,

efficiency,

and

profitability, the designs of PACs have also evolved. PACs must leverage
the latest and most powerful silicon offerings in hardware to increase
robustness and the reliability of the memory. PACs must also provide a
high memory capacity to avoid creating bottlenecks.
With today’s process plants requiring more rapid changeover capabilities
as the life cycles of the products produced continues to shrink and
consumer demand constantly shifts, it is critical to be able to change
automation configurations and architectures on the fly, without stopping
the process. As a hub for both real-time control and information, PACs can
benefit from being designed with an open Ethernet backbone to optimize
connectivity and communications, increase bandwidth, and provide a high
level of security.

PACs must also have an architecture geared for

maximizing production flexibility, data and information transparency, and
openness for diagnostics performed both locally and remotely. This has led
to the next evolution of the PAC, an evolutionary new concept defined by
Schneider Electric as the ePAC.

2 • Copyright © ARC Advisory Group • ARCweb.com


Latest Trends and Market Drivers
ARC has observed a major trend for process end users to employ open
networking technologies, such as EtherNet/IP, to be able to take advantage
of an open integration environment, higher information bandwidth,
standardization, cost savings, the flexibility to
physically move portions of their processing,
and increased data visibility at all levels. The
increasing need for distributed intelligence
makes networking critically important.

This

market driver is leading to increased adoption
of ePACs with built-in Ethernet backbones,
especially for connectivity to either on-premise
or cloud-based enterprise applications, such as
enterprise

resource

manufacturing

execution

planning
ssytems

(ERP),
(MES),

enterprise asset management (EAM), and
ePACs Help Link Cloud-Based
Applications to the Plant

supply chain management (SCM).
Today’s connected applications demand tighter

integration and more information, with a higher expectation that the
control system will initiate communication, update the controller at the
device level in real time, and serve up potentially massive quantities of
information. Automation platforms with a built-in Ethernet backbone help
meet these requirements in a highly flexible manner because they can
support instant access, regardless of hierarchy, and avoid the limitations of
proprietary software interfaces and protocols.
Network-centric ePACs with a built-in Ethernet backbone are accelerating
the trend towards distributed I/O, providing process end users with
significant cabling cost savings and reductions in installation, start-up and
commissioning costs. Using Ethernet cables to replace I/O extension cables
and field bus cables can result in significant cabling cost savings. Ethernet
cables are also much less expensive than even standard coaxial cables. In
addition, the use of single optical fibers to connect long distance remote
drops and devices can also result in significant cabling cost savings. ePACs
create new opportunities for both traditional in-rack applications as well as
for distributed I/O.

Copyright © ARC Advisory Group • ARCweb.com • 3


At the control level, process end users seek an increasingly more flexible,
expandable, interchangeable, and reliable control platform that, ideally,
covers the widest range of required applications. They’re looking for the
ability to easily interface their control platforms with both fixed/wired and
mobile/wireless HMIs, serial devices, motors, thermocouples, analog and
digital I/Os, and other equipment and devices. Since control room and
rack space is at a premium, they want automation platforms with the
smallest practical footprint. And since power consumption affects both
electricity and air conditioning costs, they’re looking for more energyefficient solutions.
System modernization issues are becoming more important than ever.
Several years ago, ARC estimated that worldwide, about $65 billion in
installed process automation systems are reaching the end of their useful
life, with most over 20 years of age. An example of end of useful life is not
meeting the requirements for today’s emerging threat, such as the inclusion
of a sufficient cybersecurity scheme. This figure is likely to be even larger
To address the latest automation trends
and market drivers for global process end
users, Schneider Electric has introduced a
new programmable automation controller

today.

When evaluating automation system

modernization projects, end users should seek
solutions that minimize downtime and risk,
while providing a tangible business value

platform with a built-in Ethernet backbone.

proposition that will have a real economic

Called the Modicon M580 ePAC, (Ethernet

impact on their business. In many instances,

PAC), this new concept is designed to fill

ePACs will represent a viable, easily cost-

the void between a universal Ethernet
backbone, a DCS, and a PAC.

justifiable modernization solution.
ARC recommends process end users follow a

stepwise approach that allows them to evolve the components of their
legacy systems that have the greatest impact on their processing operations,
while preserving the components that have not yet outlived their useful
life. Process end users require an approach that leverages automated tools
and a range of services targeted at reducing or even eliminating the
downtime required to complete a migration project. When modernizing
from PAC to ePAC, end users should consider the benefits of selecting an
ePAC that embeds all legacy technology in its microprocessor to help ensure compliance with older ranges.



Schneider Electric’s New Modicon M580
ePAC
To address the latest automation trends and market drivers for global process end users, Schneider Electric has introduced a new programmable
automation controller platform with a built-in Ethernet backbone. Called
the Modicon M580 ePAC, (Ethernet PAC), this new concept is designed to
fill the void between a universal Ethernet backbone, a DCS, and a PAC.
With the ePAC concept, all communications – including the
controller’s backplane bus - are managed on an open Ethernet
backbone, from the control network (SCADA, DCS, etc.)
down to the field network via remote or distributed I/O.
This backbone also supports a dual I/O bus, which is critically important to support redundancy requirements for many
process applications.
Ethernet processing is managed directly by the controller,
which has Ethernet processing built into its core. This new
Schneider Electric M580
ePAC with Built-in Ethernet
Backbone

concept, leveraging Ethernet as its core, creates new value
and positioning for automation solutions based on greater
transparency and higher speed communications, to deliver
deterministic solutions over

standard, proven, and open

Ethernet architectures This enables all communication, I/O, and devices to
be connected via the Ethernet.
The company designed the M580 ePAC to provide full architectural
flexibility, allowing authorized users to make application, configuration,
and architecture modifications without interrupting the production
process.

It also removes existing limitations on network transparency,

relying on proven and extended Ethernet routing capabilities. This makes
it easy to integrate any legacy Ethernet-enabled device or system with the
M580 ePAC to provide a cohesive system. This legacy integration includes
busses, such as BUSX, which supports X80 local, remote, and distributed
I/O; as well as legacy I/O, such as Modicon Premium I/O.

Schneider Electric’s Platforms
As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than
100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions designed to
make energy safer, more reliable, efficient, productive, and green across



multiple market segments.

Schneider Electric has significant positions in

energy and infrastructure, industrial processes, building automation, and
data centers/networks, as well as a broad presence in residential applications.
Launched in 2009, EcoStruxure is a
set of inter-operability standards for
integrated

systems

architectures

within

Schneider

Electric.

StruxureWare,

the

company’s

integrated

of

applications,

set

implements the EcoStruxure vision
within

packaged

provide

StruxureWare Focuses on Seven Functions

plant

solutions

that

floor-to-enterprise

connectivity based on the ISA95 model. StruxureWare focuses on seven
functions: power availability, process, and security at the control level; energy management, business operation, and asset management at the
operations level; and sustainable resource planning at the enterprise level.
StruxureWare is packaged into segment-specific “Efficiency Suites” for
buildings, data centers, industry, and smart grid. These help bridge the
operations and IT gap.
The company’s Industry business unit plays a significant role within
Schneider Electric's energy management landscape, with over 30 percent of
global revenue generated from Industry customer energy efficiency
solutions. Within this industrial arena, process plants are by far the highest
consumers of energy.

Recognizing this, Schneider Electric introduced

"PlantStruxure," the company’s collaborative and integrated automation
architecture for industrial and infrastructure customers.
PlantStuxure brings together telemetry,
PLC, HMI/SCADA, and DCS offerings
and combines these with complete lifecycle services to help make operations more
efficient. According to the company, from
initial

design

to

modernization,

PlantStruxure transparently connects control, operation and enterprise levels of a
PlantStruxure Delivers Complete Solutions for
Process Control and Energy Management


process end user’s business.


As it is with the new M580 ePAC, PlantStruxure is designed with Ethernet
built-in as a core component to connect field, process, and plant levels to
enable customers to meet their productivity, efficiency, and sustainability
challenges. By enabling visibility and control of multiple processes across
industrial sites in a single architecture, PlantStruxure enables energy and
process data to be measured, analyzed, and used to yield a holistically
optimized plant.

History of Schneider Electric’s PLC/PAC Innovations
Although many suppliers can deliver portions of solutions that fulfill the
automation industries requirements, only a handful of these can deliver
these solutions globally and from a single source. Schneider Electric, a
global, single-source supplier has been delivering solutions to the
manufacturing and process industries for over 45 years. The company’s
milestones include its Modicon legacy, which brought the world’s first PLC
to market, the 084, in 1968. Modicon introduced the Modbus industrial
network protocol in 1979. In 1996, Schneider Electric introduced its first
PAC based on the company’s Modicon family.

This was a multi-

disciplined platform for logic, process, and motion control with embedded
web server capabilities, which was a unique innovation, and onboard data
logging.
Schneider Electric also acquired Citect in 2006, adding and integrating the
portfolio of one of the world’s leading providers of industrial automation
software into its automation and control solutions offering. The integration
Modicon 084,
World’s First PLC

also encompassed Citect’s field operations (sales, professional services and
training) team to further strengthen Schneider Electric’s SCADA, HMI, and
MES solutions, capabilities, and services. This legacy, coupled with the fact
that Schneider Electric is a world leader in providing power and energy
management devices and software, creates a solid foundation for creating
the concept for and introducing the M580 ePAC.

M580 ePAC Value Propositions
Any solution intended for use on the plant or factory floor must offer
overall system reliability, robustness, and sustainability to help ensure safe,
non-stop operation. For many applications, new products must be able to



operate without problems for the next 20 years. This is often the highest
priority for any processing application.

Most industrial applications

require zero downtime, as the financial and human consequences could be
tremendous if an automation process stops for any unplanned reason.
This zero-downtime principal is integral to the design and component
selection of the M580 ePAC, as it has been since the company introduced
the first PLC in 1968. The company has validated the design in the harshest
environments, such as hot temperatures, marine or corrosive environments,
vibrations, etc., and all electronic components are also checked and
validated prior

to assembly.

Many auto-checks are performed

transparently to ensure no memory corruption, which can correct itself
when one bit flip has been detected. As soon as the system detects a
divergence, it automatically goes into a safety stop mode, recording all last
internal events within the system; such as last instructions processed by
microprocessor, memory state, and task scheduling; and activating all
outputs in fallback mode.

Failure Prediction
To catch an issue before it becomes a problem, diagnostics must be available to perform predictive maintenance on the complete system.

This

approach helps avoid unscheduled downtime and manage device
replacement before it can fail and impact production. With the M580 ePAC
system, a high level of internal diagnostics is available on both local and
remote configurations, enabling the system to anticipate failures and users
to take corrective actions. Diagnostics can be monitored through a “diagnostic buffer” feature, available locally on Schneider Electric HMIs or
SCADA systems, or remotely on web pages
through smartphones or tablets.

Investment Protection
Managers in process plants are always anxious
to select solutions that are likely to have a long
service life to help protect their technology investment. While system reliability is important,
it’s also important to consider the technology
choices integrated into automation solutions.
Modicon PAC Family Designed to Help
Ensure Long-term Investment Protection


With today’s rapid advancements in technology, it can be very challenging to select


technology today that will still be available and recognized in 20 years.
That is why Schneider Electric chose architecture based on standard Ethernet as the best guarantee for long term sustainability, leveraging open and
proven technologies with strong market acceptance.
Schneider Electric has kept in mind the need for a long service life when
designing and selecting the components for the new for the M580 ePAC, as
well as with PlantStruxure’s hardware, firmware, and software.
leverage

SPEAr

microprocessor

technology

through

a

These

long-term

partnership with ST Microelectronics for core processors.
Benefits for Schneider Electric customers to
upgrade their systems to M580 ePAC













Reduced cost to upgrade
Minimized schematic drawing changes
Reduced program re-engineering
Reduced training on new technology
Existing networks and wiring can be left
intact
Reduced changes to I/O, leveraging X80
Minimized downtime
Reduced risks
No need to “rip and replace”
Extended lifecycle of existing spare parts
Natively integrate I/O of TSX Premium
range in M580 ePAC configuration

Investment protection also relates to
the ability to retain existing automation components when expanding an
existing platform or -modernizing to
a new platform. With the new M580
ePAC, Schneider Electric customers
can continue to use their existing X80
local, remote, and distributed I/O
from the Modicon M340. This can
create savings in a number of different

areas,

engineering,

including

acquisition,

installation,

cabling,

maintenance, and training. This approach can also minimize costly downtime by eliminating the need to “rip
and replace” the I/O already installed in the plant.
Installed Base Upgrade

Technology upgrade is a key issue across the process industries. Companies and automation suppliers are being asked to provide smooth upgrade
paths from legacy systems to their latest systems.
The M580 ePAC was designed to leverage a user’s existing assets and
installed base by leveraging existing X80 I/O to reduce training and spare
parts requirements and allowing easier substitution between ranges.
In addition to appropriate technology solutions (such as the M580 ePAC
and PlantStruxure), Schneider Electric has a dedicated “Installed Base Program” that focuses on the needs of the company’s existing users, including
technology upgrades. This program involves working closely with customers to simplify their operations and minimize the time, cost, and effort



required to convert their various existing applications to integrated Schneider Electric solutions.

Energy Efficiency and Operational Intelligence
Schneider Electric’s PlantStruxure with Ethernet backbone, StruxureWare
software, and new M580 ePAC all work together to enhance plant operational efficiency, while enabling a standard “energy-aware” architecture.
Users can manage process, instrumentation, and power data in real time to
improve production control while optimizing energy consumption.
Operational intelligence and analytics are other key performanceenhancing capabilities.
The company’s Collaborative Automation Partner Program (CAPP) also
enables users to take advantage of third-party solutions that work
seamlessly with the system to provide incremental functionality. This is
another benefit of the M580 ePAC being designed with an open Ethernet
backbone, which enables and optimizes connectivity and communications
with these third party solutions.

M580 ePAC Competitive Differentiators
Building on its heritage and existing technology base, Schneider Electric
designed the M580 ePAC using the latest, most powerful state-of-the-art
microprocessor technology.

Architecture
The M580 ePAC is based on chips that leverage ARM (Advanced RISC
Machine) architecture, a family of 32-bit chip sets.

ARM does not

manufacture its own electronic chips, but licenses its designs to other
semiconductor manufacturers.

Thousands of technology suppliers use

ARM technologies, which provide benefits such as reduced costs, power
M580 ePAC’s ARM
Microprocessor

requirements, and heat generation compared to other more complex chip
designs. These ARM designs are commonly found in smartphones; flatpanel digital televisions; and mobile, laptop, tablet and notepad computers.
The ARM processor is built on a reduced number of transistors, making this
platform very efficient in term of MIPS per watt. The reduced complexity
and simpler designs allow companies to build low-energy systems on a



chip for an

embedded system

memory and interfaces.

incorporating

Alternatively, the use of

simpler designs allow for more efficient multi-core
CPUs and higher core counts at a lower cost,
enabling higher levels of processing power and
improved energy efficiency. These characteristics
provide strong business values to the user. Maximizing a powerful platform that consumes less
energy is a primary benefit. Also, the durability of
M580 ePAC’s ARM Microprocessor Has
IEC, TÜV, and W3C Certifications

the ARM processor, combined with Schneider Electric’s strong partnership with ST Microelectronics,
ensures long-term product reliability and support.

The ARM microprocessor used in the M580 ePAC is a SPEAr dual-core,
multi-function CPU, built by ST Microelectronics through a partnership
with Schneider Electric. Schneider Electric entered into a long-term agreement with the chip supplier to help ensure the availability of the M580
ePAC’s ARM microprocessor for 20 years. This will provide a high level of
assurance to Schneider Electric’s new and legacy customers that they can
rely on the M580 ePAC and its ARM microprocessor technology for continuous support during the full lifecycle of their applications.
This SPEAr dual-core, multi-function CPU processor runs at 600 MHz and
leverages the latest error correction code (ECC) technology and error
correction designs for data communications and storage. It also meets the
requirements of high-speed, wide-bandwidth, and fault-tolerant systems.
This microprocessor enables high-speed communication on its backplane
thanks to embedded Ethernet and conformance to the W3C-certified IEEE
1588 time stamp protocol. It also has native, built-in TÜV-certified safety
features and adheres to the IEC 61508 functional safety standard for
electrical/electronic/programmable electronic safety-related systems up to
SIL 3 safety integrity levels. Safety is integrated into the M580 ePAC design, a characteristic that provides a strong business value to the user by
making safety an integral part of their process.
Using ARM technologies enables the company to leverage some of the best
microprocessor designs, while using a standard platform that is available
from the largest chip makers. This provides a high level of assurance that
Schneider Electric will be able to support the platform for its customers for
the requested 20 years. Using ARM as a standard microprocessor platform
enables the company to port, reuse, and improve its key software



technologies with a low impact on the M580 ePAC’s
architecture. Finally, the return of experience (REX) on this
technology is large. The ARMs installed in Schneider Electric’s
M340 PAC are running in nearly 200,000 applications globally,
including on both military ships and in nuclear plants.

Flexibility
The M580 ePAC includes typical PAC capabilities, such as five
programming languages certified for IEC 61131-3 compliance; a
complete range of I/O modules; four levels of CPUs to deliver a
Ethernet Backplane
Provides Connectivity and
System Flexibility, so
Adding or Modifying
Drops Can Be Done On
The Fly

scalable solution; communication or expert modules with
features for applications, such as RTUs, communications, PID,
etc.; as well as the sufficient processing power to manage
complex targeted processes.
Beyond these, however, in addition to its open Ethernet
backbone, the M580 ePAC offers a number of key additional

capabilities. These include the ability to change configurations on the fly,
offering users the flexibility to make needed changes without having to
stop the process. This includes adding X80 I/O drops and devices directly
on the Ethernet network. Users can change the initial architecture, add a
new drop in the configuration, or add a new module in an existing drop.
Digital and analog I/O modules can be added or deleted within a drop,
channel

configuration

parameters

modified,

hot-swapped

modules

automatically reconfigured, and aapplications modified online while the
process is running.
Remote, distributed, and standard equipment can be mixed on the same
Ethernet field network with complete software integration. Thanks to embedded CPU switches and drops (including fiber optics), loops can be daisy
chained with no external switches. Fieldbus and expert functions are also
available via remote drops for Modbus, actuator sensor interface (AS-i),
HART modules, etc.
The ePAC flexibility opens up wide architectural possibilities. Embedded
smart solutions overcome most traditional system constraints. For example, embedded fiber optic converters enable increased distances of up to 15
km between remote drops. In addition, Wi-Fi connections, via a dedicated
module that can be added to the M580 ePAC, provide efficient and secure
access points. Service ports embedded in all Ethernet modules provide ex-



tra connections without incremental costs. The architecture integrates embedded Ethernet switches and a variety of embedded field buses interfaces,
such as Modbus serial, AS-i, RTU, and Profibus.

Cybersecurity
To address today’s critical cybersecurity issues, security is built into each
To address today’s critical

M580 ePAC to provide an open, yet fully secured system.

cybersecurity issues, security is

Advanced cybersecurity features help ensure the systems

built into each M580 ePAC to

are protected from cyber-attacks. Each M580 ePAC can

provide an open, yet fully

be secured using encrypted logins and passwords for

secured system. Advanced

every application. Unnecessary services can be disabled

cybersecurity features help
ensure the systems are protected
from cyber-attacks.

and checks can be performed to verify the integrity of the
controller’s programming tool and firmware as well as
the nominal behavior of the system itself.

Transparency
Data transparency is another challenging issue for end users in process
plants, who require a “single version of the truth,” to help ensure that they
make the right decisions. The M580 ePAC Ethernet backbone design can be
configured to enable information to flow directly without any application
between the controller and field devices; HMI/SCADA systems;
engineering workstations; asset management systems; and other intelligent
devices, such as drives. Authorized users can configure and tune parameters
for

all

connected

devices

from

everywhere on the system network. The
Ethernet

backbone

manages

the

communication and routing capabilities
to help maximize performance.

All

M580 ePAC diagnostic information can
be accessed from a programming tool,
HMI/SCADA system, or from a PC,
tablet, or smartphone web browser.
The system provides native support for
both EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP.
Data Transparency Enables a “Single Version of
the Truth”

Since all its Ethernet modules and CPUs
contain double profiles (a key differentiator for the M580), users can take



advantage of off-the-shelf connectivity to what is, collectively, the largest
global installed base of Ethernet devices.
This native transparency extends to any third-party device connected to the
network. FDT Device Type Managers (DTMs), for example, standardize the
communication and configuration interface between field devices and the
host systems. The DTMs provide a unified structure for accessing device
parameters, configuring and operating the devices, and diagnosing
problems from the system using FDT frame applications developed by the
device manufacturers themselves.

M580 ePAC Target Applications
Schneider Electric is targeting the M580 ePAC towards process end users,
particularly end users who are currently using larger PLC- or PAC-based
Schneider Electric is targeting the M580 ePAC
towards process end users, particularly end

systems in energy-intensive industries, such
as water & wastewater, food & beverage,

users who are currently using larger PLC- or

upstream and midstream oil & gas, and

PAC-based systems in energy-intensive

metals & mining where the company’s

industries, such as water & wastewater, food &

StruxureWare integrated energy manage-

beverage, upstream and midstream oil & gas,

ment solutions can play a key role in

and metals & mining where the company’s
StruxureWare integrated energy management
solutions can play a key role in reducing
energy costs and energy-related emissions.

reducing energy costs and energy-related
emissions. Schneider Electric believes that
users in these and other process industries –
including hydropower -- are in the best

position to take advantage of the platform’s key value propositions, unique
characteristics,

competitive

differentiators,

and

multi-disciplined

functionality to help lower total cost of ownership.
When it comes to market growth, the oil & gas, mining & metals, and water
& wastewater industries are projected to be some of the fastest growing
users of PACs over the next five years. In oil & gas, these segments include
upstream and midstream pipeline processing. The growth drivers for those
industries are primarily the accelerating global product demand and
increasing need for capital spending towards energy and infrastructure.
Drivers for this switching rate growth are the extensive use of PLCs in
those industries, the natural evolution to the multi-discipline functionality,
and cannibalization of higher priced system products.



Water & Wastewater
The unique capabilities and characteristics of the M580 ePAC make it wellsuited for a number of water & wastewater industry applications, including
The unique capabilities and

both water and wastewater treatment plants, remote

characteristics of the M580 ePAC

pump stations, and pipeline network management.

make it well-suited for a number of

Schneider Electric Altivar Process drives have been

water & wastewater industry

fully integrated into the M580 architecture so that

applications, including both water

they can be included directly in RIO ring and lever-

and wastewater treatment plants,
remote pump stations, and pipeline
network management.

age many services, such as automatic reconfiguration
when replacing devices. Also, RTU modules managed in a M580 local rack interoperate with third-

party SCADA packages and Accutech wireless devices. Finally, third-party
HART modules are plugged into the M580 platform to interface with field
instruments for control purposes and on-line diagnostics.

Food & Beverage
Schneider Electric believes that the M580 ePAC is ideally suited for a number of challenging food & beverage industry-specific applications,
including both confectionary and liquid product plants.

For example,

weighing modules can be integrated using M580 local and remote drops,
with ATEX certification provided for most X80 modules as well as for M580
CPUs. The company has also developed AS-i connectivity from remote locations (RIO drops) specifically for the food & beverage industry.

Mining & Metals
In mining & metals, target segments for the M580 ePAC include cement
and material handling, applications in which the environmental conditions
will chew up all but the most rugged hardware. Here, Schneider Electric
offers a complete range of hardened, conformal-coated and extended temperatures for X80 I/O and expert modules, as well as M580 CPUs designed
for harsh applications. Also, for applications that require PROFIBUS interoperability, the company offers a new PROFIBUS remote master module
for the M580 ePAC.

Hydropower
For the hydropower segment, the M580 ePAC is well-suited for mediumsized plants. Here, Schneider Electric’s ERT modules used with the M580



ePAC can provide cybersecurity-certified time stamping precision of 1ms at
the source.

Energy Efficiency
Regardless of industry or application, Schneider Electric can provide active
energy management products and solutions to enable process end users to
The company’s energy

realize and sustain energy savings. The company’s en-

management solutions include

ergy management solutions include procedures for

procedures for auditing and

auditing and measuring the process application to

measuring the process application

establish a baseline and identify areas for improvement

to establish a baseline and identify
areas for improvement around
energy consumption.

around energy consumption. Company experts can then
install the devices needed to record and measure energy
usage.

Processes can then be optimized using

automation devices such as AC drives and controllers and continuously
monitored using software tools to sustain the improvements.
Power and control have traditionally been separate worlds.

Today,

however, the user can only optimize their efficiency and reduce operating
costs by implementing strategies that combine both.

The M580 ePAC,

combined with PlantStruxure, is designed to combine process and energy
disciplines into one system, providing users across all industries with a
single, highly effective

solution for process and energy control and

management.

Summary and Conclusions
Today’s industrial process plants struggle to improve flexibility, process
control, productivity, and regulatory compliance; while reducing energy
and raw material consumption. This has increased the requirements for
both automation and energy management. At the same time, technology
advancements have made controllers both more powerful and communicative.
Increasing processing power and networking technologies, along with a
lower cost base, enable today’s PACs to address many applications that
would have been impossible in the past. This includes the use of multi-core
microprocessors with certified safety functionalities, the integration of
Ethernet to the backplane so the network becomes the controller within a



distributed intelligence configuration, breaking
down barriers to real-time data access to eliminate
any time latency and inconsistency, and sharing
data at all levels of an organization. At the same
time, adding new systems to processing requires
sound

migration

strategies

and

flexibility,

leveraging existing remote and distributed I/O as
well as legacy installed bases whenever possible,
and being able to make changes “on the fly,”
without always having to shut down the process.
Schneider Electric’s new M580 ePAC, with Ethernet
built-in as part of its core, addresses all of the above
Schneider Electric’s Connect Program

market requirements.

By embedding standard,

unmodified Ethernet directly into the controller, the

M580 enables more transparency, flexibility and openness; managing data
in a fully deterministic and synchronized fashion. Schneider Electric has
developed an open and collaborative framework, PlantStruxure, for process
automation and energy management linked to the enterprise. In addition
to providing significant customer value, PlantStruxure and the new M580
ePAC go a long way to helping the company meet the strategic objectives of
its multi-year “Connect” initiative to create a unified customer experience
that bridges the many strategic acquisitions the company has made in recent years.
The company’s background in industrial automation and energy
management has helped bridge a functionality gap across the enterprise.
PlantStruxure, along with the M580 ePAC, creates a common environment
in which these applications can coexist and share information.

This

environment embraces standard technologies, work processes, and best
practices; ensuring a wide range of choices for the process end user.
ARC believes that the concept of an Ethernet-based PAC will be well
received in the marketplace and while, to the best of ARC’s knowledge,
Schneider Electric is first to market with this type of product, we believe
that many other leading suppliers in the automation industry may soon
follow suit with their own “ePACS.”



Analyst: Craig Resnick
Editor:

Paul Miller

Acronym Reference: For a complete list of industry acronyms, please refer
to www.arcweb.com/research/pages/industry-terms-and-abbreviations.aspx
ARM Advanced RISC Machine

ISA

Intl. Society of Automation

AS-i

IP

Industrial Protocol

ATEX Atmospheres Explosives

Actuator Sensor Interface

IT

Information Technologies

BYOD Bring your own device

MHz Megahertz

CAPP Collaborative Automation

ODVA Open Device Vendors Association

Partners Program

MES

Manufacturing Execution System

CAPEX Capital Expenditures

MIPS Million Instructions per Second

CPU

Central Processing Unit

PAC

Prog. Automation Controller

DCS

Distributed Control System

PID

Proportional Integral Derivative

DDT Derived Data Types

PLC

Programmable Logic Controller

DTM Device Type Manager

REX

Return on Experience

ECC

RTU

Remote Terminal Unit

Error Correction Code

EAM Enterprise Asset Management

SCADA Supervisory Control and Data

ERP

Enterprise Resource Planning

FDT

Field Device Tool

SCM Supply Chain Management

Acquisition

HMI

Human Machine Interface

SIL

Safety Integrity Level

I/O

Inputs/Outputs

TÜV

Technical Inspection Association

IEC

Intl. Electrotechnical Commission

W3C World Wide Web Consortium

Founded in 1986, ARC Advisory Group is the leading research and advisory
firm for industry. Our coverage of technology from business systems to
product and asset lifecycle management, supply chain management,
operations management, and automation systems makes us the go-to firm for
business and IT executives around the world. For the complex business issues
facing organizations today, our analysts have the industry knowledge and
first-hand experience to help our clients find the best answers.
All information in this report is proprietary to and copyrighted by ARC. No part
of it may be reproduced without prior permission from ARC. This research has
been sponsored in part by Schneider Electric.
However, the opinions
expressed by ARC in this paper are based on ARC's independent analysis.
You can take advantage of ARC's extensive ongoing research plus experience
of our staff members through our Advisory Services. ARC’s Advisory Services
are specifically designed for executives responsible for developing strategies
and directions for their organizations. For membership information, please
call, fax, or write to:

ARC Advisory Group, Three Allied Drive, Dedham, MA 02026 USA
Tel: 781-471-1000, Fax: 781-471-1100
Visit our web pages at www.arcweb.com


ARC White paper: Schneider Electric Introduces First ePAC, Combines PAC with Ethernet Backbone

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ARC White paper: Schneider Electric Introduces First ePAC, Combines PAC with Ethernet Backbone