![]() ![]() These are connected to the I/O points of control system programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and human-machine interfaces (HMIs), both of which are well suited for local control but less useful for advanced calculations and data processing. The lowest level of automation architecture is made up of the physical devices residing on process and machinery equipment: sensors, valve actuators, motor starters and so on. However, the task of transporting data and processing it in context is often difficult, because so many layers of equipment are required to connect devices and applications.įor example, the illustration shows a traditional method of acquiring temperature data from a facility equipment and moving it to a back-end client, like a database. One good feature of this hierarchy is the clarity it provides regarding where the data can originate, be stores, undergo processing, and be delivered. Industrial automation architectures generally address data processing from a hierarchical perspective, as with the classic Purdue model. This article discusses how a more distributed global architecture is enabling connectivity from the field to the cloud for sensors and actuators, and for the input/output (I/O) systems and controllers linked to them. By adopting information technology (IT) capabilities, they are making it easier to connect industrial equipment with computer networks, software, and services, both on premises and in the cloud. Much as consumer hardware and software technologies have shifted to improve ease of use and connectivity, industrial products and methods are following the same trend. So, what is changing to achieve this new, more ambitious goal? Sharing process data has long been a goal of industrial automation but traditional operational technology (OT) architectures are poor at scaling, priced prohibitively and demand complex configuration and support. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |