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 of sensor data, machine-2-machine (M2M) communication, and 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 smart factories, physical processes are monitored by cyber-physical systems, a virtual copy of the physical process is created and decentralised decisions made. Over the IoT these systems communicate with each other and humans in real time.
Adroit Technologies is a leader in the M2M space. Connecting machines seamlessly through its technology and consolidating their data with the relevant context models to make information available for business intelligence.
Machine-2-machine
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 which is relayed through a network to an application that translates the captured event 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 to be communicated between machines.
Adroit M2M Platform
With over 25 years’ experience in delivering scalable scada solutions into industries such as water and waste water, utilities, oil and gas, mining, telecommunications and a host of others, 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 a lot more built-in functionality such as scripting, transacting data into databases, etc., saving users significant 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 which 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 communications is set to ‘live’ mode, data is shown in 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 any specific network operator, 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 for 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: 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’s solution 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 machine monitoring applications, there are various solution options available:
• RTU solution: control and monitor remote assets in real time with the Mitsubishi Electric smartRTU. Meets challenges such as data security, interfacing, data continuity and reliable communication. Supports DNP3 and IEC60870 protocols and is scalable with remote configuration management.
• PLC solution: 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. 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: customisable hardware platform that enables rapid deployment and integration of cloud-based data for monitoring and control purposes. Acquired data is transferred to the Adroit M2M Platform Server in the cloud, from where it can be visualised, alarmed and used for real-time operations and reporting.
In summary, the Adroit M2M Platform is a customisable hardware and software platform that enables users rapidly to deploy and integrate cloud-based data for monitoring and control purposes.
For more information contact Adroit Technologies, +27(0)11 658 8100, info@adroit.co.za, www.adroit.co.za
| Tel: | +27 11 658 8100 |
| Fax: | +27 11 658 8101 |
| Email: | info@adroit.co.za |
| www: | www.adroit.co.za |
| Articles: | More information and articles about Adroit Technologies |
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