The idea behind Industrial IoT is to use data that has been generated over the years by “dumb devices” in industrial facilities. Smart machines on assembly lines are not only faster at capturing and analyzing data, they are also faster at communicating important information, which helps make business decisions faster and more accurate.
The integration of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) drives the development of the Industrial Internet of Things. It is a network matrix that connects devices and devices, collects data through sensor technology, analyzes the data, and integrates it directly into the platform as a service. The Industrial IoT will herald a new era of industrial use cases with many opportunities for economic expansion.
What is IIOT?
IIoT refers to the Industrial Internet of Things, which extends the Internet of Things technology to the industrial field. It integrates various collection and control sensors or controllers with sensing and management capabilities into all aspects of the industrial production process through IoT sensing and communication technologies to achieve Traditional industries have been upgraded to the stage of intelligence. The Industrial Internet of Things is mainly used in manufacturing, transportation, energy, mining and other industries to optimize the production process, improve production efficiency, and reduce manufacturing costs.
In terms of application form, the application of the Industrial Internet of Things has the characteristics of real-time, automation, embedded (software), security, and information interconnection.
What is the difference between Industrial Internet of Things and Internet of Things?
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is a variant of Internet of Things (IoT) designed to address the needs of industry. The only difference between the two is that IoT is primarily for consumer use, while Industrial IoT is primarily for industrial purposes such as manufacturing and large-scale management systems.
The Internet of Things connects all items to the Internet through information sensing devices to exchange information to achieve intelligent identification and management.
The Industrial Internet of Things is a network of sensors and instruments connected to industrial applications through the Internet. The network collects industrial application data and analyzes the data with the purpose of optimizing the production process, improving production efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs. Industrial IoT covers the field of industrial communication technology for machine-to-machine (M2M) and automation applications.
The Industrial Internet of Things is a subset of the Internet of Things. The starting point is to realize the transformation and upgrading of the industrial manufacturing field, focusing on improving the safety and efficiency of the production site.
How is Industrial IoT different from other types of IoT?
While Industrial IoT has similarities to other types of IoT, such as Consumer IoT (CIoT) and smart home devices, there are some key differences that set it apart: Scale
and Complexity: Unlike other types of IoT In comparison, Industrial IoT involves greater scale and complexity. Industrial processes often require complex and interconnected systems containing numerous devices, sensors and machines. These systems need to handle large amounts of data, have high reliability and uptime, and operate in harsh environments, making IIoT more complex and more challenging to implement than other types of IoT.
Focus on industrial applications: IIoT mainly focuses on industrial applications such as manufacturing, logistics, energy, and agriculture, while other types of IoT are more consumer-focused. IIoT aims to optimize processes, improve operational efficiency and increase industry productivity, while other types of IoT often focus on enhancing consumer experience and convenience.
Interoperability and standardization: IIoT requires interoperability and standardization among various devices, machines and systems used in industrial environments. This is crucial to ensure seamless communication and data exchange between the different components of the IIoT ecosystem. In contrast, other types of IoT may not have the same level of standardization and interoperability requirements.
Security and Privacy: Due to the critical nature of industrial processes and the potential impact of security breaches, IIoT places greater emphasis on security and privacy. Industrial systems are often subject to strict regulations and standards, and IIoT solutions need to meet these requirements to ensure data integrity, confidentiality, and availability.
Characteristics of Industrial Internet of Things
- Large-scale connection
The Industrial Internet of Things can realize the connection of large-scale equipment, interconnect various sensors, equipment and systems, and realize data exchange and sharing between equipment. - Real-time data transmission and analysis
The Industrial Internet of Things can realize real-time transmission and analysis of equipment data. The data generated by the equipment can be transmitted to the cloud through the network, and real-time data analysis and processing can be performed to help enterprises understand equipment status and production conditions in a timely manner. - Automation control
The Industrial Internet of Things can realize automatic control of equipment. Through remote monitoring and control of equipment, the automation and intelligence of the production process can be realized, and production efficiency and product quality can be improved. - Data Security and Privacy Protection
The Industrial Internet of Things is very important for data security and privacy protection. By using secure communication protocols and encryption technologies, the transmission and storage security of device data is protected and data leaks and attacks are prevented. - Flexible and scalable:
The Industrial Internet of Things is flexible and scalable. It can be customized and developed according to the needs of enterprises. It supports the access of different types of equipment and systems to meet the different application needs of enterprises.
Typical industrial IoT architecture
Industrial IoT Architecture Components
(1) Field-aware IoT devices
are located as close as possible to the data source. These are typically wireless actuators and sensors in industrial environments. A small processing unit and a collection of observation endpoints. Sensing IoT devices may include traditional equipment, cameras, sensors, and other instrumentation and monitors in industrial environments.
(2) IoT gateway
Here, sensor data is collected and converted into digital channels for further processing at the IoT gateway. After obtaining the aggregated and digitized data, the gateway transmits it over the Internet so that it can be further processed before uploading to the cloud. Gateways are still part of the edge data collection system. They are located adjacent to actuators and sensors and perform preliminary data processing at the edge.
(3) Industrial IoT platform
Industrial IoT systems are now able to coordinate, monitor and control operations throughout the value chain. These platforms control device data and manage analytics, data visualization and artificial intelligence (AI) tasks for edge devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the development trend of IIOT?
The development trend of IOT is towards more intelligent terminals, ubiquitous connections, and cloudization. It also pays attention to data security and privacy protection, which will provide strong support for further innovation and efficiency improvement in the industrial field.
2. What are the application scopes of Industrial Internet of Things?
The application scope of the Industrial Internet of Things is very wide, including manufacturing, energy fields, transportation, agriculture, etc.
3. How does the Industrial Internet of Things ensure data security?
The Industrial Internet of Things uses secure communication protocols and encryption technology to encrypt, transmit and store device data to ensure data security.
4. What are the challenges of the Industrial Internet of Things?
Challenges of the Industrial Internet of Things include issues such as data security and privacy protection, device compatibility, and standardization.