IIoT and Industry 4.0 with Bihl+Wiedemann

Machine data, process data and diagnostic data - today's machines and systems generate huge amounts of data. But only a fraction of this necessarily belongs in the higher-level PLC. In order to successfully implement Industry 4.0 projects, the majority of the “valuable” sensor data (e.g. operating hours and switching counters) must be processed and analyzed in the IT system. This is often not the case due to the high level of integration required. How can coordinated interaction be achieved? Only if all devices in the industrial network communicate with each other.

IT interfaces and a robust data shuttle like ASi-5 are in demand. A powerful data shuttle such as ASi-5 is needed. The new ASi generation offers a high data bandwidth and short cycle times. This makes it easy to integrate the smart sensors like IO-Link that are so important for Industry 4.0.

Smart factory devices like a decentralized inverter with an IO-Link interface are useful for both IT and OT. Process control (OT) handles drive movement, regulating variable speed, ramp time, and rotation direction. IT systems can create real added value through big data analysis, machine learning, and AI algorithms. They evaluate diagnostic data like heat-sink temperature, power consumption, and operational stress on the drive. Often, smart factory devices offer significantly more diagnostic data than actual process data. Diagnostic data can be transferred on both the fieldbus interface and the diagnostic interface of the ASi-5/ASi-3 Gateway. The requirements for the interfaces vary greatly: process control requires relatively little data, even at the maximum cycle time. Conversely, IT can handle large amounts of data, where transfer time is less critical.  The two independent physical interfaces allow separate networks to be established if necessary.

The extensive networking of Industry 4.0 devices underscores the growing importance of data security. Ultimately, any device that is able to connect with other networked devices can serve as a potential attack platform. Due to ever-evolving attack scenarios, we protect our devices (gateways and modules) with security updates throughout their entire product lifecycle. We also facilitate seamless integration of our devices into existing IT security frameworks, ensuring data security in the following ways:

With ASi-5, there is a logical separation between the field level and the network infrastructure (TCP/IP). The ASi Gateway acts like a firewall for the field level. As a communication protocol, ASi-5 presents an additional barrier against cyberattacks between the network infrastructure, ASi-5 modules, and their connected peripherals.

Fig.: Communicative separation between different communication levels, especially between ASi-5 and TCP/IP, enhances security.