The Internet of Things (IoT), has given us a unique opportunity: witnessing an industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) that has not happened with this complexity and pace before. Developments and future predictions are being replaced instantly. Moments like this require constant follow up and implementation of the latest happenings. IoT is changing our lives and business on a daily basis with great speed. The challenge is adapting to this great speed while not breaking the harmony with other applications or components.
IoT ist ein weiterer Kernbereich für uns. Die Art und Weise, wie ANNEA is offering its next generation tailor made solutions is very much connected to this sphere. As a result, our expertise in IoT is bringing ANNEA to an important position with important responsibilities.
In this article, you will find a wide range explanation of IoT and the unique aspects of how ANNEA offers its expertise services through this system. Let’s start with the basics.
WHAT IS THE INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT)?
It is the concept of connectivity and information and data exchange between smart devices and systems through the internet that are equipped with sensors and software. The connectivity and information and data exchange can be done autonomously. The simple explanation is communication and interaction of smart devices between each other while belonging to a single system.
WHAT IS THE INDUSTRIAL INTERNET OF THINGS (IIOT)?
Es bezieht sich auf die Nutzung von vernetzten Sensoren, Geräten oder Maschinen für industrielle Zwecke. Da die Anforderungen industrieller Prozesse komplexere Lösungen erfordern, sind die in industriellen Sensoren, Maschinen oder Geräten verwendeten Technologien fortschrittlicher. Um die Sicherheit, Effizienz und Produktivität zu verbessern, hat sich das IIoT daher aus der Maschine-zu-Maschine-Kommunikation (M2M) entwickelt.
WHAT IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN IOT AND INDUSTRY 4.0?
Industry 4.0 is the term used for the latest industrial revolution (the fourth) which has occurred and is still developing in the industrial area. Since the first industrial revolution, there has been a focus technology. For the fourth industrial revolution, it is the standardisation of IoT, automated analysis and diagnosis, self-monitoring, and improved communication between smart, especially industrial, devices.
TECHNOLOGIES THAT MADE IOT POSSIBLE
Technologische Verbesserungen folgen einander. Fortschritte in anderen Technologien lassen neue Technologien entstehen oder verbreiteter werden. Daher ist die IoT-Technologie für viele Branchen und das tägliche Leben der Menschen zu einem wesentlichen Bestandteil geworden. Im Folgenden finden Sie die wichtigsten Ereignisse und Technologien, die das IoT möglich gemacht haben.
Sensoren: Der Zugang zu billigeren und stabilen Sensoren mit fortschrittlicher Technologie ermöglichte eine schnellere Verbreitung der IoT-Technologie.
Connectivity/wireless communication: Die Verbindung zwischen den Geräten hat den Weg für das IoT geebnet. Die drahtlose Kommunikation und Netzwerkprotokolle haben jedoch die Zukunft neu definiert.
Cloud-Computing-Plattformen: Sichere, größere Speicher- und Softwareplattformen, auf die Unternehmen und Menschen jederzeit und überall zugreifen können, ohne dass komplexe Vorgänge erforderlich sind.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): Instant access to huge amounts of data whether in cloud platforms or in physical platforms has made it easy to analyse them and get insights faster. Learning from these data sets and patterns makes it possible to be more efficient in future.
Rechenleistung: Artificial Intelligence and machine learning platforms are handling huge amounts of data, also known as “big data”. Consequently, the technologies are becoming more complex and this complexity requires faster, instant and secure computing.
Edge computing: Having the ability to be able to distribute the computing service in different but on-premise locations allows faster, reliable and flexible computing.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF IOT?
Nowadays, IoT has transformed and it is not just a buzzword anymore. People are interacting with IoT in their daily lives, most of the time without noticing. From smart phones to smart devices, smart home applications to cars, all are equipped with IoT technology. It is undertaking many responsibilities that usually people were doing before.
IoT technology is easily applicable to the renewable energy sector, since the latter is very agile and open for instant change. Over the past years, the renewable energy industry has been growing significantly and it is expected to continue growing throughout the next decade. The cover and impact of the renewable industry is increasing on a yearly basis and is expected continue. IoT offers real-time monitoring and management, improved cost efficiency, increased precise automation, higher security standards and better load management. In addition, it has a huge impact on the energy consumption levels and decreasing the carbon footprint.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SENSORS AND IOT
In our previous article we explained what sensors are and how they function during data acquisition processes.
Sensors facilitate a vital part of IoT processes. From the perspective of IoT, sensors, built-in as IoT components, are expected to do more than just collecting external information and translating them into signals people or machines can understand. Special sensors for IoT are more complex and require more stability. Multiple sensors are able to combine complex and vast information and match up for inferring conclusions. These conclusions can be about latent problems such as vibration sensors, and temperature sensors data can be combined to predict future failures. Depending on the sensors, state-of-the-art sensors contains multiple functions in one device.
Um mit maximaler Produktivität arbeiten zu können, sollten Sensoren die folgenden Eigenschaften aufweisen, damit sie erfolgreich in IoT-Anwendungen eingesetzt werden können:
- Lower cost of production
- Wireless connection
- Built-in small size
- Strong battery
- Robustheit, um die Wartung zu minimieren
- Self-diagnostics
- Self-healing ability
- Fähigkeit zur Selbstkalibrierung
- Vorverarbeitung von Daten
IOT AND DATA PIPELINING
A data pipeline refers to the set of data processing elements where the output is feeding the next element by creating different sets. In IoT systems, data pipelining covers an important portion as they define which data to collect. Depending on designated conditions, they extract, transform, combine, validate, and load the data for further analysis and visualisation.
Data pipelining is divided into different layers. These layers are commonly data ingestion layer, data collection layer, data processing layer, data visualisation layer, data query layer, data storage and data security layer.
EDGE COMPUTING
Edge computing is important for IoT devices. The unending data exchange between the IoT devices and servers is increasing its capacity and becoming more complex day by day. The cloud technology has its limits, such as bandwidth, latency, security and need for online connection. Thus, with on-premise infrastructure, edge computing is providing advanced, secure connection without latency for exchanging data with IoT devices or users. The importance of edge computing especially in the energy industry is to increase the standards of the process and increase the safety measurements.
DATA STREAMING?
Data streaming is also known as stream processing. The amount and the comprehensiveness of the generated data is increasing exponentially as well as the sources generating the data. Data streaming provides the real-time feed of data that can be stored, analysed and be used without the need to download before.
PARADIGM SHIFT IN IOT?
IoT disrupted the industry and changed the evolution of technology. Operational processes are shifting towards IoT technology, integrating smart sensors and SCADA systems into IoT solutions. Since IoT is a complex technology, there has been a paradigm shift in different dimensions. The integration of IoT with edge computing and machine learning is benefiting industry 4.0 applications and should be enabled as much as possible.
THE EXPERTISE OF ANNEA ON IOT
The ANNEA approach to the process is holistic: we provide real-time gathering, transferring, data evaluation, and prediction up to one year in advance as well as pinpointing the root-cause in real-time. Data streaming, IoT pipelining and edge computing represent the phases that enable a seamless process. They also fulfil all the necessary requirements: this is what distinguishes the ANNEA Platform from others.
Our platform is also capable of connecting directly to the sensors, making use of different protocols like SCADA. We offer tailor made software solutions that are compatible with SCADA systems through an uninterrupted communication. This enables you to analyse your assets via IoT solutions.
We provide the next generation automated predictive maintenance platform. We enable machines to analyse and communicate their own health status even in complex and extreme environments, through the latest IoT solutions. At the same time, data protection is our priority. The ANNEA Platform is built with the state-of-the-art technology and the highest level of security requirements to deliver the best possible experience and efficiency.
WHAT IS NEXT?
As we are moving forward with different topics, in this article we presented an industry milestone, a future defining megatrend to you as simple as possible. We will be explaining “digital twins” in our next article.
Kontakt us to gain further insights from ANNEA Experts.
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