HMS Networks Implements Power-Saving Measures in Industrial Communication Products

HMS Networks has successfully reduced the energy consumption of industrial equipment through three previously detailed measures within its Anybus communication products. The individual energy savings per unit, measured in milliwatts, multiply due to the annual delivery of millions of products, supporting the company's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2025.

The development team in Halmstad, Sweden, has introduced measures such as activating a sleep mode for the processor when it is idle. This action reduces the average power consumption by approximately 100 milliwatts per device. Furthermore, the company has replaced inefficient built-in linear power regulators with new, high-efficiency buck regulators achieving 90% efficiency, resulting in an estimated reduction of 150 milliwatts per component.

A third significant enhancement addresses Ethernet communication. By substituting older Ethernet PHY components with modern ones compliant with the 10BASE-Te standard, power consumption per Ethernet port has decreased by around 190 milliwatts when operating at 100 Mbit/s. Given that many products feature multiple Ethernet ports, the impact of this specific measure is substantial.

These incremental yet effective changes are critical to HMS Networks' sustainability strategy. According to the company's figures, 1.2 million Anybus products were shipped last year. HMS Networks estimates that the cumulative effect of these implemented energy-saving initiatives surpasses the company's own annual carbon footprint.

Samuel Alexandersson, Business Line Director for the Anybus Business Unit at HMS, highlighted the growing demand from industrial customers for energy efficiency. With soaring energy prices, even minor savings become crucial for reducing the overall energy consumption and CO2 emissions of industrial machinery.