Based on press releases from Endress+Hauser [1] and VEGA [2]
In an era where the demand for seamless data exchange and smart connectivity is rapidly redefining industrial automation, the Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) System Alliance has emerged as a cornerstone in shaping the digital future. Established in 2020, the alliance unites leading technology companies in a shared vision: to develop and promote a standardized, seamless network architecture based on SPE. This transformative technology enables Ethernet connectivity at the field level with a two-wire cable that transmits energy and data. Within the last year, two global leaders in measurement instrumentation and technology—Endress+Hauser and VEGA—have joined the alliance, reinforcing their commitment to offering the best networking and digitalization solutions and investing in the future of industrial automation.
Simplifying digitalization at the field level
Participation in the SPE System Alliance is more than a strategic partnership—it is a commitment to drive practical innovation across industries. Through the simplicity and seamless integration of SPE, manufacturers benefit from optimized machine design, connectivity, and improved overall equipment effectiveness.
Endress+Hauser, long recognized for its advanced measurement instrumentation and industrial process engineering solutions, recognizes the benefits of SPE as pivotal for the digital transformation, particularly in highly automated process industries without extensive hazardous protection, such as food & beverage and life sciences. SPE plays a key role in flattening the traditional automation pyramid, enabling other systems to connect via Ethernet at the field level.
VEGA, a global manufacturer in level and pressure measurement, echoes this vision. The value of SPE lies in its ability to handle the explosive growth of data with speed, efficiency, and seamless interoperability. “In the future, it will no longer be enough to just offer the best sensors,” explains Philipp Ketterer, VEGA’s product manager. “These will only be of value if they can be seamlessly integrated into a wide range of technological areas.”
Complementing APL: A unified Ethernet vision
SPE complements another emerging Ethernet standard: Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (Ethernet-APL). While APL is engineered to enable use in hazardous and Ex environments, SPE fills the gap in less demanding settings, offering compact, cost-effective connectivity that is still fast and robust.
Together, these two Ethernet technologies give customers flexibility across industries, allowing manufacturers to tailor their networking infrastructure to meet the specific demands of different zones within a process plant, without sacrificing interoperability or future-readiness.
Expanding interoperability and innovation
With nearly 75 members now contributing to the growing ecosystem of SPE products, the foundation is being laid for an open marketplace where compatibility, innovation, and customer choice flourish. By joining the alliance, both companies are opening the door to greater knowledge exchange and collaborative development, benefiting end users who demand robust, scalable solutions for increasingly complex industrial environments.
As the industry accelerates toward increasing digitalization, SPE is a foundational technology uniting data accessibility, device integration, and industrial efficiency. With VEGA and Endress+Hauser now onboard, the journey toward a smarter, more connected future has taken another confident step forward.
[1] https://www.endress.com/en/endress-hauser-group/press-center/news-and-press-releases/single-pair-ethernet-alliance-endress
[2] https://www.vega.com/en-us/company/press/articles/partnerschaftlich-in-die-zukunft-der-automatisierung