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One of the major challenges to the
implementation of the Industrial
Internet of Things (IIoT) is the
convergence
of
Information
Technology (IT) and Operational
Technology
(OT)
networks.
Currently, these networks exist
in separate domains. Limited
communication in each direction is
possible via dedicated gateways.
Converging these networks is a key
enabler for Cyber Physical Systems
in which nodes interact with each
other using the Industrial IoT.
The current architecture for
controlling Factory Automation is
hierarchical. Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) applications at the
highest level provide an integrated
management and automation
of business core processes,
progressing down to Manufacturing
Execution Systems (MES) that
A converged network will address
several challenges that currently
exist in today’s disparate network
architecture:
More transparency: All data from
all hierarchies can be made
accessible to every element in
the factory without translation in
between.
Less network planning: More
flexible topologies enable easier
changes.
Less CapEx: Reduction of cabling,
reduction of gateways between
networks with different protocols.
Less OpEx: Reduction of network
administration effort.
More bandwidth: Avoid limitation
to one network speed.
Optimized for M2M: Ready for
interworking between machines
with common data model like
OPC UA across the entire factory.
TSN: Converged Network for Industrial IoT
Michael Zapke & Adam Taylor
control the manufacturing process.
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
systems execute the automation
tasks using connected industrial
devices like electric drives, sensors
or I/Os which reside at the lowest
level of the hierarchy. This is often
called the “Automation Pyramid”
(Figure 1), illustrating the broad
amount of devices at the bottom
and high performance computers
at the top. Layers of the pyramid
illustrate the hierarchies.
Different layers in the Pyramid have
different network requirements.
While higher layers need high
bandwidth and flexible network
topologies, lower layers need
deterministic behavior and the
capability to transport samples in
constant intervals with low packet
delay variation. This leads to multiple
networks that work side-by-side.
24 l New-Tech Magazine Europe