Internet of Things (IoT): Leap of Faith in Tech

Internet of Things (IoT), has given us a unique opportunity: witnessing to an industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) that has not happened with this complexity and rapidness before. Developments and future predictions are replacing instantly. Moments like this, requires 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 represents another core area for us. How ANNEA is offering its next generation tailor made solutions are very much connected with IoT. As a result, our expertise in IoT is bringing ANNEA to an important position and important responsibilities.

In this article, you will find a wide range explanation of IoT and the unique aspects of ANNEA offering its expertise services through IoT. Let’s start with the basics.

What is Internet of Things (IoT)?

Internet of Things (IoT), stands for 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 autonomous. Simple explanation: communication and interaction of smart devices between each other while belonging to a single system.

What is Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)?

It refers to use of connected sensors, devices or machines for industrial purposes. Since the needs of industrial processes demands more complex solutions, the technology used in industrial sensors, machines or devices are more advanced. Therefore, to improve safety, efficiency and productivity, IIoT has emerged from machine-to-machine (M2M) communication.

What is the connection between IoT and Industry 4.0?

Industry 4.0 is the term used for the latest industrial revolution (the fourth) has occurred and still developing in the industrial area. Since the first industrial revolution, there has been a focus technology that emerged the revolution. For the fourth industrial revolution, the standardisation of IoT emerged automated analysis and diagnosis, self-monitoring, improved communication between smart, especially industrial, devices.

Technologies made IoT possible

Technological improvements follow each other. Advancements in other technologies allows new technologies to emerge or become more common. Hence, the IoT technology has become an essential part for many industries and daily lives of the people. Below you will find the corner stone happenings and technologies made IoT possible.

Sensors: Access to cheaper and stable sensors with advanced technology created the opportunity for IoT technology to expand faster.

Connectivity / wireless communication: Connection between the devices has set the path for IoT. However, wireless communication and network protocols has redefined its future.

Cloud computing platforms: Secure, larger storage and software platforms which businesses and people can reach at anytime and anywhere without the need of complex operations.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning: Instant access to huge amount of data whether in cloud platforms or in physical platforms, made it easy to analyse huge amount of data / information and get insights faster instantly. Learning from these data sets and patterns made it possible to be more efficient in future.

Computing power: Artificial Intelligence and machine learning platforms are handling huge amount of data, also known as “big data”. Consequently, the process of computing needed to be increased. The technologies are becoming more complex and this complexity requires faster, instant and secure computing.

Edge computing: Having the availability 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 they are using this technology. From smart phones to smart devices, smart home applications to cars 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. Besides real-time monitoring and management, improved cost efficiency, increased precise automation, higher security standards and better load management offered by IoT, 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 the sensors are and how they are functioning during data acquisition process’.

Sensors possess a vital part for IoT processes. From the perspective of IoT, sensors, built-in as IoT components, are expected more than collecting external information and translating them into signals people or machines can understand. Special sensors for IoT are more complex and requires 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.

To perform with maximum productivity, sensors should have the followings to be implemented successfully with IoT applications:

Lower cost of production Wireless connection
Built in small size Strong battery
Strength in order to minimise maintenance
Self-diagnostics Self-healing ability
Self-calibration ability
Data pre-processing

IoT and data pipelining

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 and extracting, transforming, combining, validating, loading the data for further analysis and visualisation.

Data pipelining is divided into different layers. These layers commonly are data ingestion layer, data collection layer, data processing layer, data visualisation layer, data query layer, data storage and data security layer.

What is edge computing?

Edge computing is covering an important portion for IoT devices. The unending data exchange between the IoT devices and servers are increasing its capacity and becoming more complex day by day. The cloud technology has its limits, such as bandwidth, latency, security and must have online connection. Thus, with on-premise infrastructure, edge computing is providing advanced, secure and connection no latency for exchanging data with IoT devices or users. The importance of edge computing especially in energy industry is to increase the standards of the process and increase the safety measurements.

What is 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 can be stored, analysed and be used with no need of downloading 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 are 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, evaluating of the data, and prediction up to one year in advance as well as pinpointing the root-cause in real-time. Streaming the data, IoT pipelining and edge computing represents the phases enabling a seamless process while fulfilling all the requirements is distinguishing the ANNEA Platform from others.

Our platform is also capable of connecting directly to the sensors, making use of different protocols e.g. SCADA protocols. We offer tailor made software solutions 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. Enabling machines to analyse and communicate their own health status even in complex and extreme environments benefiting from the latest IoT solutions. When we are doing so, 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.