element14, the online engineering community owned by Avnet, has launched a design competition in partnership with US components group Molex, inviting engineers and technology enthusiasts to experiment with Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) for industrial automation.
SPE, which transmits data using two wires instead of the traditional eight, promises faster communication, smaller and lighter cabling, and lower installation costs. The technology is seen as a key enabler for the next generation of industrial and building automation systems.
Under the competition, participants will receive a kit of SPE components to develop and test their own projects, documenting results through blog posts on the element14 Community website. Four entrants will receive a Molex SPE Kit free of charge, and prizes will be awarded for the most innovative use of the company’s connectors and cables.
“Molex is excited to collaborate with the talented engineers of the element14 Community on this Single Pair Ethernet design challenge,” said Jennifer Paukert, Molex’s Vice-President of Global Distribution. “Advancements in SPE technology offer significant advantages, including reduced wiring costs, space and weight savings, and enhanced connectivity across industrial and building automation applications.”
Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing and element14 Community, said the contest would help demonstrate the practical potential of SPE. “Single pair Ethernet is an exciting evolution of an established technology that has the potential to transform industrial connectivity,” she said. “Through this challenge, we hope to inspire our members to explore creative ways to implement SPE in real-world applications.”
Registration for the competition is free and open to all members of the element14 Community. More information is available on the group’s website.
element14 is part of Farnell Global, a division of Avnet that operates under the Farnell, Newark, and element14 brands across different regions.
