GERMAN RESEARCHERS HAVE developed a technology that transmits industrial data on beams of light instead of cable or radio waves, and operates at speeds of 1Gbit/s or more, over distances of up to 10m. The Li-Fi (light fidelity) Grathus technology, developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS), can send and receive data simultaneously and is said to operate reliably even in environments where traditional wireless systems reach their limits. A key advantage is its extremely short and predictable delay – deterministic latency – of less than 100 nanoseconds. This allows realtime data transmission, which is crucial for precision machine control. Modern industrial facilities require machines, sensors and control systems to communicate with each other quickly and reliably. Traditional wired connections are often inflexible, and wireless technologies can be susceptible to interference. Li-Fi Grathus is designed to address these challenges. Using light signals makes the transmissions immune to electromagnetic interference. The system also supports full-duplex communications – transmitting and receiving simultaneously – ensuring uninterrupted data flow and preventing time losses. Wireless connections offers significant advantages, especially in flexible production environments, where machines are reconfigured frequently, without compromising deterministic performance. It also ensures reliable operation in metallic environments, which can be challenging for traditional radio technologies. The system can be integrated into existing networks without major modifications. It supports common industrial standards such as Profinet, EtherCat, Sercos III and TSN (Time Sensitive Networking). As well as Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet, it supports USB 3.0/3.1 and customerspecific interfaces. An extra 1Mbit/s side channel allows management, diagnostics and safety signals. “The Li-Fi Grathus builds on more than 15 years of Li-Fi expertise at Fraunhofer IPMS,” says Dr René Kirrbach, the organisation’s Li-Fi group leader. “Our latest development provides fast, secure, real-time optical wireless communication for industrial applications and is compatible with numerous industrial Ethernet standards. Its robust design makes it ideal for demanding industrial environments.” The Li-Fi technology is available now as an evaluation kit that allows 1Gbps wired Ethernet connections to be replaced easily with a plugand-play optical link. The kit includes two Grathus modules, two Ethernet cables, a power supply, and is available from Fraunhofer IPMS. Laser beam technology transmits industrial data at the speed of light n TECHNOLOGY June 2026 www.drivesncontrols.com 22 The Li-Fi Grathus system provides high-speed, real-time optical data connections for industrial applications Image: Fraunhofer IPMS A CALIFORNIAN DEVELOPER of 4D+ vision systems has announced a laser line scanner that, it says, delivers an “unprecedented” 100-micron precision – equivalent to the thickness of a human hair or a sheet of paper – over distances of up to 5m. SiLC Technologies says that its Eyeonic Trace Ultra scanner, designed for demanding industrial automation and inspection applications, brings highperformance dimensioning with millimetre precision to hard-to-detect targets. Its rapid scan speed supports highthroughput environments, while its 72degree field-of-view gives a wide coverage. SiLC says the scanner represents a move away from fragile, highly calibrated and unpredictable vision systems, towards robust physical AI sensors. It will provide reliable data for the next generation of automation, ensuring that as production speeds increase, precision does not slow down. For example, in automotive production, parts moving along assembly lines need to be inspected for small scratches, dents and alignment tolerances. Today, many of these inspections are performed manually, or need items to be removed from the line to quality control stations. This can be costly and may allow defects to pass undetected. With the new device, manufacturers can scan every part as it moves along a line, even at high speeds, enabling consistent, automated inspection that improves quality control and reduces reliance on human intervention. In addition, its long working range allows fine measurements on large objects such as an entire car frames. “Manufacturers are increasingly looking to automate as much of the production and inspection process as possible,”says SiLC’s CEO, Mehdi Asghari. “That shift requires sensing technologies capable of delivering the accuracy and reliability needed to support fully automated operations. There are no competing products that can match the performance of Trace Ultra. This combination of features will change the game for manufacturers on a mission to achieve the highest levels of automation.” The new scanner maintains the same compact footprint and ease of deployment as its predecessor, the Eyeonic Trace. A 300% improvement in precision allows the Trace Ultra to handle inspection tasks that previously required manual measurement. The Class 1 eye-safe device can scan up to 600 lines per second with a resolution or more than 1,300 points per line. It can be used in bright sunlight and is immune to crosstalk from other sensors. It maintains its precision even for low-reflectivity objects. “The Eyeonic Trace introduced last year has been a huge success, with new customers and applications emerging every day,” says Asghari. “But some use cases demand even higher precision. Eyeonic Trace Ultra addresses that need.” SiLC says it is on a mission to drive the next industrial revolution, where machines perceive, reason and act alongside humans in true collaboration. The company was established in 2018. Its investors include Dell, Sony, Honda and Epson. https://silc.com Laser line scanner delivers 100-micron accuracy at up to 5m
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