Unified SPE and Ethernet-APL standard ‘drives smarter automation’
11 December 2025 
Four major industrial communications organisations have joined forces to release a document containing key extensions for standardising Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) and enhancing the Ethernet-APL physical layer. The technologies are already being implemented in plants worldwide.
The developments are intended to strengthen the foundation for reliable, vendor-independent communications and data from the field level upwards, leading to smarter automation.
The new SPE specification supports higher powered devices and includes Power-over-Data-Line (PoDL) capabilities, as well as details of power classes and definitions of connectors. It is expected to lead to a wider use of SPE in discrete, non-hazardous factory environments, such as automotive and packaging plants.
For Ethernet-APL, Power Class B, which supports devices up to 1.16W, has been incorporated into the second edition of IEC TS 63444. The Ethernet-APL standard also extends interoperability to non-hazardous SPE applications.
The new standards have been produced by the Independent Protocol Physical Layer (10Base-T1L) working group, which includes representatives from the FieldComm Group, ODVA, the OPC Foundation and PI (Profibus & Profinet International).
“This milestone establishes the foundation for vendor-independent communication based on SPE and Ethernet-APL, paving the way for the decisive and necessary digitalisation of industrial sectors,” says PI board member, Harald Müller, who leads the working group. “Building on this, we have already implemented Profinet-over-APL in productive plants and will continue to drive adoption with these new enhancements.”
Another milestone has been the preparation of certification systems. A test system has been developed to ensure quality and physical layer interoperability. Parallel activities are underway to offer technical guidelines and seminars, and to develop technology demonstrators.
“The alignment of Ethernet-APL and SPE provides a solid foundation for unified, vendor-independent Ethernet communication in industrial automation,” explains Stefan Hoppe, president and executive director of the OPC Foundation. “Together with OPC UA, these technologies enable consistent and interoperable information exchange across all system levels.”
ODVA president and executive director, Dr Al Beydoun, adds that his organisation is “pleased to support the continued development of Ethernet-APL and SPE to drive the immense benefits of Ethernet digital communication down to the field level. The Ethernet-APL and SPE physical layers will allow for simplified wiring, reduced cost, and longer cable runs for EtherNet/IP network users in factory and process automation worldwide.”
“The addition of SPE support to the Ethernet-APL specifications enables users to extend Ethernet into the field with the freedom to choose best-in-class instrumentation from any vendor, across IS and non-IS environments,” says Ted Masters, president and CEO of the FieldComm Group. “It supports mixed protocol networks, including Hart-IP, on a single physical layer, delivering IT-level speeds and seamless integration and data exchange to the enterprise through FDI and PA-DIM. This gives the industry the flexibility and confidence to modernize both brownfield and greenfield facilities as Ethernet-APL becomes the new physical layer standard of the future.”
Further improvements are planned, such as adding a 100Mbit/s bandwidth for two-wire Ethernet applications (100Base-T1L), and incorporating the standard into IEC documents.
The SPE and Ethernet-APL developments were announced at the SPS automation show in Germany, where there were also several multi-vendor demonstrations of SPE products, amid predictions that the technology is on the verge of a breakthrough following the recent decision by two rival SPE consortia to settle their differences.
There were a number of SPE product launches at SPS, including one by TE Connectivity which premiered a hybrid SPE connector in an M12 format that supports the integration of power-demanding field devices into networks and can transmit large amounts of data in real time to control systems or the cloud. The connector, which complies with IEC 63171-7, has a 2 x 8A capability, thus supporting components needing up to 1kW. It can also carry data at up to 1Gbit/s – ten times faster than earlier devices complying with IEC 61076-2-113.
Weidmüller was also demonstrating several SPE developments, including a miniaturised, field-assembly SPE connection system, as well as IP20- and IP67-protected SPE PCB components with optional LED indicators.
