Use of digitalization offers new possibilities for optimizing manufacturing processes by leveraging data analytics through cloud-based systems. New communication methods for automation systems via standards-based open protocols such as MQTT is helping users fully integrate components regardless of manufacturer.

The Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP) is a standard defined in IEC 62439-3, and is adopted in the EtherNet/IP specification. PRP technology creates seamless network redundancy by allowing PRP-enabled IACS devices to send duplicate Ethernet frames over two independent Local Area Networks (LANs).

Developing efficient, reliable, and maintainable data handling as part of an IoT solution presents challenges. System integrators looking to deploy IT solutions in the Industrial IoT world are faced with requirement specifications and customizing these applications to suit specific industrial automation (IA) requirements.

Taking process data from smart HART field devices and sharing it with higher level systems, no longer has to be difficult or expensive. Industrial Ethernet backbones and wireless networks, IIoT HART devices, open industry protocols and ease of programming provides a quick and seamless way to share process data.

Most security protocols, including TLS, are point-to-point solutions that do not support multicast. However, multicast can be extremely useful, especially for I/O in an industrial environment. No single standard has emerged as the de facto method but there are several potential methods for securing multicast traffic.

EtherCAT G uses 1 Gbit/s data transmission of standard Ethernet; while the EtherCAT G10 variant, presented as a proof-of-concept technology study, achieves data rates of up to 10 Gbit/s. The considerable increase in data rates compared with standard 100 Mbit/s EtherCAT significantly increases the possible data throughput.

Industrial IoT (IIoT) offers the promise of business outcomes through the use of innovative technology. The challenge for industrial operations is to develop a balanced security stance to take advantage of IIoT innovation while maintaining the integrity of industrial security best practices.

Cyber-attacks have increased over time and require a more comprehensive, proactive approach for industry to protect critical systems. Protecting control systems will be an ongoing responsibility that everyone must share by following standards and implementing a defense-in-depth approach to cybersecurity.

This article is a summary of a new architecture proposal to integrate OPC UA, Data Distribution Service (DDS) & Time Sensitive Networking (TSN). The goal is to build a coalition of vendors, consortia and standards bodies to support this approach to define and standardize the architecture to unify industry.

Similar to equipment connectivity, a good visual management program should easily synchronize data with existing networks and servers. This synchronization enables the displaying of target KPIs and allows the manufacturer to pull all its collected metrics into common data analysis tools.