The essence of the industrial Internet platform is an industrial cloud platform. Based on application requirements, it builds a module system for industrial data collection, storage, analysis, and application, and realizes industrial Internet-assisted production functions1. Its core consists of three layers: the infrastructure layer (IaaS), the platform layer (PaaS), and the application layer (SaaS), plus the end layer and the edge layer, which together form the basic structure of the industrial Internet platform123.
The basic architecture of the Industrial Internet platform is shown in the figure below.
1 End layer
The end layer is also called equipment layer 4, which refers to various IoT-type industrial equipment on the production site, such as CNC machine tools, industrial sensors, industrial robots, etc. Different functions to monitor the production site and flexibly handle different situations in the production process. The terminal layer is based on the Internet of Things technology, which generates and aggregates a large amount of industrial data, including historical data and real-time data, which also makes the terminal layer the underlying foundation of the industrial Internet platform. However, since the industrial data at the end layer comes from different devices and different systems, further processing is required before it can be passed on to the upper layer and utilized.
2 Edge layer
The edge layer collects industrial data generated by the end layer, and performs protocol analysis and edge processing on industrial data from different sources5. It is compatible with various industrial communication protocols such as OPC/OPC UA and Mod-Bus, converts and unifies the format of the collected data, and then transmits the relevant data in a wired or wireless way (such as 5G, NB- IoT, etc.) to remote transmission to the industrial Internet platform.
Edge computing technology is an important part of the edge layer. Based on advanced technologies or tools such as high-performance computing chips, real-time high-speed processing methods, and high-precision computing systems, it performs data pre-processing and pre-processing on the side of data sources such as industrial equipment and smart terminals to improve system response speed and data processing. Transmission speed, to solve the delay problem of data transmission and communication. Advantages of edge computing are lower latency for shorter response times, and the potential to address energy consumption, bandwidth burden, and security concerns56.
3 IaaS layer
The infrastructure layer (IaaS) mainly provides cloud infrastructure, such as computing resources, network resources, storage resources, etc., to support the overall operation of the industrial Internet platform7. Its core is virtualization technology, which uses new technologies such as distributed storage, concurrent computing, and high-load scheduling to realize dynamic management of resource service facilities, improve the effective utilization of resource services, and ensure the security of resource services. The IaaS layer serves as the connection layer for devices and platform applications, and provides complete underlying infrastructure services for the functional operation of the PaaS layer and the application services of the SaaS layer.
4 PaaS layer
The platform layer (PaaS) is the core of the entire industrial Internet platform. It is built by cloud computing technology. It can not only receive and store data, but also provide a powerful computing environment for cloud processing or cloud control of industrial data8. Its foundation is to build a support system with strong scalability on the IaaS platform, which also provides a good basic platform for the development of industrial applications or software5.
The PaaS layer can take advantage of the platform, use database, algorithm analysis and other technologies to realize functions such as further data processing and calculation, data storage, application or micro-service development, and provide a basic environment for industrial application development and deployment in a superimposed and expanded manner, forming An industrial operating system with high integrity, good customization, and high degree of transplantation and reuse9. The PaaS layer can also perform resource scheduling according to the business, and can also guarantee the security mechanism of data access, platform operation, and interface access to ensure the normal development of business.
5 SaaS layer
The application layer (SaaS) is the key to the industrial Internet platform. It is the gateway of external services, directly connected with users, and reflects the final application value of industrial data. The SaaS layer is based on the rich industrial micro-service function modules on the PaaS layer platform, and realizes the cloud transformation of traditional information systems in an efficient, convenient, and multi-terminal adaptation manner10, providing platform users with digital solutions such as various industrial APPs, and developing big data Analysis and other comprehensive applications to achieve resource centralization, service precision, and knowledge reuse.