USB (Universal Serial Bus) in industrial applications

Standardized interface for data and power

While keyboards, memory sticks, or cameras are usually connected in the PC sector, industry on the other hand employs mainly measurement, control, and automation components which use the Universal Serial Bus as an interface. Typical applications range from brief service and maintenance tasks to permanently connected sensors or actuators for data acquisition during productive operation.

Advantages of USB technology in industrial environments

USB offers a whole range of technical and organizational advantages in industrial applications:

• Standardization:
  The Universal Serial Bus is a worldwide standard. Devices from different manufacturers can be easily combined.

• Data and power on one line:
  USB enables data transfer and power supply at the same time.

• Downward compatibility:
  Newer USB versions such as USB 3.0 are generally backward compatible with older standards. This means that existing installations can continue to be used.

• High transmission speed:
  USB 3.0 provides up to 5 Gbit/s, which is sufficient for demanding industrial applications, especially for transferring large amounts of data during backups, video, and audio transmission.

This makes the Universal Serial Bus ideal for modern industrial communication structures—provided that the implementation takes into account the specific requirements of the environment. Security and availability.

Industrial-grade implementation: Robust & galvanically isolated

In industrial practice, conventional USB solutions quickly reach their limits. Electromagnetic interference, voltage spikes, or large distances between devices require a robust interface design.

Here industrial-grade USB components are called for - especially USB-Isolators, Industry Hubs and USB Device Servers:

• USB-Isolators Protect connected devices and controls using galvanic isolation. They prevent interference caused by radiation, potential differences, and overvoltages, which frequently occur in machine or building cabling.

• Industrial USB Hubs enable the simultaneous connection of multiple devices under harsh conditions. They feature rugged housings and a reliable power supply.

• USB Servers connect USB devices to your PC via TCP/IP networks. This allows USB devices to be used anywhere and managed centrally—ideal for remote systems or virtual machines.

All three components ensure that the Universal Serial Bus technology is ready for professional, continuous use in industry.

USB over Ethernet: Extending the range

The physical cable length of USB connections is technically limited—to approximately 5 meters for USB 2.0 and around 3 meters for USB 3.0. However, in industrial plants, significantly greater distances often have to be bridged between the terminal device and the control system.

USB servers from Wiesemann & Theis solve precisely this problem: they enable the integration of USB devices via Ethernet networks. The USB server makes the connected devices available on the network as if they were connected locally to the PC or controller.

This allows all USB devices to be operated at any distance—without loss of functionality and with full USB compatibility. This technology opens up new degrees of freedom in the placement of devices while also facilitating maintenance and central management.

USB as a component of modern automation systems

With the increasing digitization and networking of industrial plants, USB is also playing an important role in the field of Industry 4.0. Service laptops, control units, or edge computers use USB to quickly integrate or configure local components.

Communication can also be virtualized via USB device servers, so that USB devices can be accessed transparently from virtual machines—a decisive advantage in modern IT/OT environments.