Latency

Latency in industrial automation, especially in Ethernet-based networks, refers to the time taken for a message or packet to travel from its source to its destination.

What is Latency?

Latency, in the context of networking and computing, refers to the delay before a transfer of data begins following an instruction for its transfer. In simpler terms, it’s the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another in a network. This can be affected by multiple factors such as the physical distance the data must travel, the type of connection used, and the processing time at both the sending and receiving ends.

For instance, when you stream a video online, latency is the measure of how long it takes for the video data to travel from the streaming service’s server to your device. Lower latency means a faster response time, which results in smoother streaming with less buffering.

What are the Downfalls and Benefits of Latency?

In business environments, high latency can slow down processes, reducing overall productivity and effectiveness.

Low latency is crucial in motion control and closed-loop systems, where precise timing and real-time communication are vital. While generally seen as a downside, in some cases, a small amount of latency can help buffer data and provide a more stable connection, especially in fluctuating network conditions. Latency can sometimes allow time for error checking and correction, ensuring data integrity before it reaches its destination.

Latency and IO-Link Wireless 

An industrial interface in industrial automation serves as the connection point for various components like PLCs, HMIs, sensors, and motor drives, all interconnected through an Ethernet backbone. These interfaces ensure deterministic and repeatable data packet transmission. 

IO-Link Wireless provides a deterministic low latency of 5 msec with 40 nodes (sensors, actuators, or I/O hubs) per Wireless Master, supporting precise control in automation applications. These interfaces are essential for effective communication, timing synchronization, and low-latency performance in the factory environment.