Why IIoT Now?

New communication paradigms have emerged with a clear focus on connectivity. Over the coming years – even decades – new technologies must coexist with existing networks to meet the interoperability needs of the new and the old.

This article aims to briefly contextualize how communications between devices in industrial environments have evolved. This explanation also serves to present the new generational leap that is currently being experienced in this field, the IIoT.

The first steps

In the early stages of automation, that is, in the 1970s, the still novel industrial controllers did not interact with the sensors or actuation via industrial protocols, but directly through electrical signals. Each device acted as an independent and closed island.

It was not until the end of the following decade that its use spread through serial communications. It was considered appropriate for devices to start saving and exchanging information between them. The evolution of value to data.

Progress was underway. During the 1990s, point-to-point or bus communications became hyper-specialized with the emergence and popularization of fieldbuses – Profibus was born in the late 80s. At the same time, improvements in the world of computers allow their implementation in the field and the connection of these with PLCs.

Era of standardization

Although the Ethernet standard – Layer 2 of the OSI model – was designed in 1983, it was not until the appearance of TCP/IP – Layers 3 and 4 – ten years later that it was established as a competent solution.

This combination has quickly become the standard in communications. First in IT networks and finally in OT. Over the past 20 years, all devices have been incorporating this type of connectivity. On the contrary, while these layers were being standardized, at the application protocol level, each manufacturer has tried to wage war on its own. In a few years, this practice greatly hindered interoperability between devices from different brands.

The problem was such that manufacturers decided to associate to create the OPC Foundation, with the sole purpose of designing and specifying a protocol that was not linked to any particular commercial house. Thus, in ’96, OPC DA emerged.

OPC DA and, ten years later, OPC UA have established themselves as the major standard protocols in the industry. Such is its indisputable use that the new ranges of PLCs already work directly with them as an alternative to their native communication. Unthinkable a while ago.

The new paradigms
The hyper-connected industry that IIoT illuminates requires more than an evolution in protocols, it implies changes in strategy, changes in architecture, changes in physical media and even changes in the profile of the professionals in charge of its management.

But why is IIoT the trend? Basically for three reasons:

New data usage models.

Thanks to improvements in computing, tools have been developed that, theoretically, can work with volumes of data unimaginable a few years ago. These tools are presumed to imply a significant improvement in productivity.

The crux of the matter is that to calculate these models, forecasts, markers, indicators… plant data is urgently needed. But not only those of the controllers, but also those of the sensors, databases, actuators and even operators through their devices or wearables.

IT and OT convergence.

Today it is unimaginable that Operation people are not also experts in IP communications. They need to be experts not only in protocols, but also in virtual machines, network segmentation, industrial cybersecurity… In the same way that IT departments realize that, more and more, they must cooperate with OT.

This relationship makes it possible for information to be sent from OT to repositories managed by IT.

Technological improvements of data sources.

Currently, instrumentation is beginning to integrate wireless connectivity tools or through complex protocols. Yesterday’s ‘simple’ devices are designed today with complete communication functionalities.

In summary, IIoT is already a growing reality because there is a need, there is the ‘environment’ and the right tools are beginning to exist to carry it out.