The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in industry. It incorporates machine learning and Big Data technology, harnessing the sensor data, machine-2-machine (M2M) communication and other automation technologies that have existed in industrial settings for years.
Smart machines accurately and consistently capture and communicate data that enables early detection of inefficiencies and problems resulting in significant time and cost savings and supports business intelligence efforts.
The fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0, embraces a number of contemporary automation, data exchange and manufacturing technologies and facilitates the vision and execution of modular structured ‘smart factories’. Within these, physical processes are monitored by cyber-physical systems and a virtual copy of the physical process is created enabling decentralised decisions to be made. Over the IoT these systems communicate with each other and humans in real-time.
Six design principles support and identify Industry 4.0 scenarios. These are:
• Interoperability: The ability of cyber-physical systems (CPS), humans and ‘smart factories’ to connect and communicate with each other via the IoT and the Internet of Services (IoS).
• Virtualisation: A virtual copy of the physical processes or ‘smart factory’ created by linking sensor data with virtual plant models and simulation models.
• Decentralisation: The ability of CPSs within the smart factory to make decisions on their own.
• Real-time capability: The capability to collect and analyse data and provide the insights immediately.
• Service orientation: Offering of services (of CPS, humans and smart factory) via the IoS.
• Modularity: Flexible adaptation of smart factories for changing requirements of individual modules.
Adroit Technologies is a leader in the M2M space through its expertise in connecting machines seamlessly and consolidating the data with the relevant context to make information available for business intelligence.
Machine-2-Machine Communication
M2M refers to technologies that allow both wireless and wired systems to communicate with other devices of the same ability. M2M uses a device to capture an event that is relayed through a network to an application that translates it into meaningful information.
Modern M2M communication has expanded beyond a one-to-one connection and changed into a system of networks that transmit data to personal appliances. The expansion of IP networks across the world has made it far easier for M2M communication to take place and has lessened the amount of power and time necessary for information communication between machines.
Adroit M2M Platform
“The Internet of Everything (IoE) is a global industry phenomenon, where the intelligent networked connections between people, process, data and things, make networked connections more relevant and valuable than ever before.” – Wim Elfrink (Cisco).
With over 25 years’ experience in delivering scalable scada solutions into industries such as water and wastewater, utilities, oil and gas, mining, telecommunications and a host of other industries, Adroit Technologies was perfectly placed to leverage its scada solution and build the Adroit M2M Platform. Adroit’s Agent/Object architecture within the I/O Server offers extensive built-in functionality such as scripting, transacting data into databases, etc, saving users massive development time.
With built-in .NET the User Interface Designer allows users to build point-to-point or full business scale applications and have these available, securely over the Internet.
M2M Protocol
Drawing from extensive experience in telemetry systems, Adroit developed the M2M driver that was designed to include all the best features and requirements for a turnkey M2M solution. The Adroit M2M protocol, which offers extensive features and benefits, is a full telemetry protocol.
Except for the Adroit M2M I/O Server, the Adroit M2M solution does not require fixed IP or Dynamic DNS middleware, which means that the solution can be used on any GPRS network and not require a static IP from the Internet service provider.
Offering efficient communications with cost-effective data transfer costs, the Adroit M2M solution delivers a low bandwidth impact. Hardware can be configured to send data on a time-interval when storage buffer limits are reached or manually polled, and alarm and event data is sent to the scada immediately. When communication is set to “live” mode data is shown real-time which allows for the management of data levels transferred.
Key differentiators include:
• Master communicator: The field device as master of communications makes the connection back to the host Adroit SCADA leaving users unbound to specific network operators or to contractual obligations as any data SIM card can be used.
• Internal Link Manager: Gives indication of possible problems on devices and allows for alarms to be set if the communications link is lost or interrupted.
• Data transmission control: Supports polling for real-time data, history of data stored on the device and exception based and alarm/events data which are buffered should the link be lost, and emptied once the link is re-established, allowing management or control of the level of data being transmitted.
• Statistical data: Estimated statistical data on devices are available, such as errors, messages, Rx/Tx, etc.
• Data management: It is possible to “empty” the historical buffer, assisting with data management, based on a percentage-use basis – 25, 50, 75 and 100%.
Adroit M2M Solutions
Adroit is a customisable hardware and software platform that enables rapid deployment and integration of cloud-based data for monitoring and control purposes. The Adroit M2M Platform was created with a view to making it easy to build individual monitoring and control applications.
It consists of hardware that acquires and transfers data to the I/O Server software in the cloud. The data can then be visualised, alarmed and put into databases for real-time operations or reporting purposes.
One unique feature of the Adroit M2M Platform is the speed at which individual solutions can be built. Testament to this is the generator remote monitoring and management solution that was completed in under three weeks, which Adroit Technologies built for the MTN Business Mind2Machine challenge.
Being ideally suited to markets such as remote asset management, smart cities, utilities and power or any machines monitoring applications there are various solution options available.
RTU solution
Achieve reliable control and monitoring of remote assets with the Mitsubishi Electric Remote Terminal Unit, smartRTU. It offers reliable control and surveillance of remote assets in real-time, communicating securely to scada systems. The smartRTU addresses requirements for 100% reliable remote surveillance and control of distributed assets, even in extreme environments.
With powerful functions like diagnostics, alarm and event-storage and time trend data buffering, it meets the challenges of managing massively distributed assets such as data security, interfacing issues, data continuity and reliable communications. It supports protocols such as DNP3 and IEC60870. The smartRTU combines the needs of a large number of industries into a single device that is simpler than conventional RTUs, yet provides powerful capabilities that can easily be deployed and administered. The smartRTU is scalable from a handful of sites to many hundreds with remote configuration management.
PLC solution
The Mitsubishi Electric M2M delivers affordable, global, end-to-end IP data connectivity in industry sectors such as environmental monitoring, SmartGrid, pipeline monitoring, machine monitoring, mining, water utilities, telecommunication, building and facilities management sectors. The solution is built on the MAPS SCADA and the Mitsubishi Electric FX3-, L- and Q-Series PLCs for both control and data acquisition to and from remote sites.
The communications intelligence lies in the standard PLC function blocks matched to an M2M driver in the MAPS SCADA. In the solution the PLC becomes the master of all communications, this means the PLC does not need a fixed IP address. All data can securely be made available on a public APN.
This solution provides remote communication with the PLC without the presence of an onsite technician. Any device or group of devices can be monitored and controlled through the scada interface. PLC programming to the M2M device can also be done remotely.
REMOTEWORX solution
REMOTEWORX is a customisable hardware platform that was co-developed by Systems Automation & Management (SAM) and Adroit Technologies.
The REMOTEWORX board enables rapid deployment and integration of cloud-based data for monitoring and control purposes. It is a clever piece of hardware used to acquire and transfer data to the Adroit M2M Platform Server in the cloud. Once there, the data can be visualised, alarmed and put into databases for real-time operations or reporting purposes. The solution is suited to the industrial, commercial and residential sectors and is capable of various monitoring, management and control functions. Some of the key functions include energy and environmental monitoring, asset and security management, access and quality control as well as fleet and building management and home automation.
MTN Business Mind2Machine Challenge Award Winners
The Mind2Machine Challenge Award was launched by MTN Business in association with Intel and The Innovation Hub. The challenge was the first of its kind in South Africa and took the form of a M2M (machine-to-machine) solutions development challenge. Ultimately MTN Business wanted to partner with pioneering developers to bring exciting, original M2M solutions to the African market.
Adroit Technologies won the MTN Business Mind2Machine Challenge Award in November 2015 with the REMOTEWORX monitoring solution. This solution was developed as an enterprise level diesel generator asset management solution.
Based on the Adroit M2M Platform and the REMOTEWORX I/O board the solution proved to be a winner. The remote monitoring project monitors aspects such as location, vibration, movement, content and consumption amongst others. Based on the information gathered, it can initiate actions such as movement and heat or tampering alerts and prevent switch on/off. Additionally it adds and drives value by understanding the business through optimisation, consumption, costs and performance.
In summary, the Adroit M2M Platform is a customisable hardware and software platform that enables users to deploy and integrate cloud based data for monitoring and control purposes.
For more information contact Adroit Technologies, +27 (0)11 658 8100, [email protected], www.adroit.co.za
| Tel: | +27 11 658 8100 |
| Fax: | +27 11 658 8101 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.adroit.co.za |
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