Tech Briefs Magazine - March 2022 - Sensor-8

IIOT Connected Factories
4
2
5
3
1
* Amplify long-range wireless sensor
communication reliability with wireless
Frequency-Hopping Spread
Spectrum (FHSS). With this reliable
long-range and robust spectrum, signals
spread and hop among rapidly
changing radio frequencies. This
communication spectrum is highly
resistant to interference, and signals
are difficult to intercept because
they only transmit over extremely
short
intervals. This makes FHSS
1
Voltage Detection
Sensors
2
Accelerometers
3
Advanced Vibration
Meters
4
Temperature
Sensors
5
Infrared Motion and
Occupancy Sensors
Figure 3. A diverse factory sensor network can help boost uptime. (Image: Monnit)
A platform of low-power, long-range
wireless sensors distributed across a factory
can remedy this - a foundational
solution running independently of, but
complementary to, automation systems.
This sensor network can
comprise
accelerometers, vibration meters, voltage
and current detection and measurement,
tilt, passive infrared (PIR)
motion, temperature, air quality, humidity,
and many more.
A networked wireless sensor platform
working mainly behind the scenes
ensures your connected factory's primary
performance and condition monitoring is
not only predictive but transformed into
business optimization and innovation.
Key Sensor Platform Components
In order to keep pace with the evolution
of Industry 4.0, connected factories
work to implement the following.
* Operate on an industrial-grade, wireless,
low-power sensor platform
focused on real-time data transmission,
predictive maintenance, and
boosting uptime. A wireless sensor network
can be designed to:
✧ Consume power only while sensors
are communicating, thereby conserving
energy and extending battery
life
✧ Deliver instant alerts via text, email,
or voice call, when preset parameters
are exceeded
✧ Provide trending data and data logs
for general insights and compliance
data
✧ Streamline data collection, transmission,
and analytics with preconfig8
Cov
ured
algorithms and on-demand
processing using sensors and edge
gateways rather than manually monitoring
machines and collecting data
on clipboard checklists. Then, filter
the data through control systems
using application programming
interfaces (APIs), serial Modbus
gateways, and PLCs. Only actionable
data and sensor alerts will flow in
real time through this practice, and
raw data can be logged or stored in
a database for later analysis.
✧ Integrate with building management
systems (BMS) via the Building
Automation and Control Network
(BACnet™) data communication
protocol or Modbus TCP/IP.
* Strengthen risk management by adding
an end-to-end data security platform to
the sensor network across the factory.
✧ Employ sensor systems that include
data encryption using the DiffieHellman
key exchange algorithm
and 128-bit Advanced Encryption
Standard (AES-128) Cipher Block
Chaining (CBC) symmetric key
encryption to protect data from
breaches.
✧ Safeguard web servers and browsers
connected to a sensor network with
Transport Layer Security (TLS)
encryption.
✧ Add 256-bit Secure Hash Algorithm
3 (SHA-3) authentication to protect
data from the point of generation
through consumption. A secure
data token is evaluated via a cryptographic
hash function against a
unique per-sensor secret key.
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essentially cybersecure. With FHSS,
data communications from wireless
sensors have:
✧ Strong impairment immunity from
physical obstructions, external wireless
radio frequency systems, and
electromagnetic interference (EMI)
✧ Up to 1200+ ft. connectivity in manufacturing
environments
* Connected factory managers can use
an integrated wireless system for optimizing
all aspects of a factory's operations.
They can implement automation
systems in parallel with optimizing
maintenance and production processes,
for example.
✧ Add autonomous guided vehicles
for picking and packing inventory,
material handling, placement, and
delivery.
✧ Use industrial robots to arc and
spot weld, tend machines, paint
products, lift and assemble, glue
and connect parts, and more.
✧ Attach accelerometers to assembly
lines and robotic arms, vibration
meters to machine motors, tilt sensors
to detect safe machine operation,
and current meters to monitor
power consumption.
✧ Install temperature and humidity
sensors in HVAC systems, production
areas, and motors, as well as
PIR motion sensors in restricted
and production control areas.
The Bottom Line
Manufacturers should implement an
IIoT sensor platform that delivers realtime,
actionable data to predict machinery
downtime, increase operational efficiencies,
boost the bottom line, and
reap the benefits of the latest industrial
revolution.
This article was written by Brad Walters,
Founder and CEO of Monnit (South Salt
Lake, UT). For more information, contact
Mr. Walters at info@monnit.com or https://
www.monnit.com, or visit http://info.
hotims.com/82319-161.
Sensor Technology, March 2022
http://info.hotims.com/82319-710 http://info.hotims.com/82319-161 http://www.techbriefs.com http://info.hotims.com/82319-780
Tech Briefs Magazine - March 2022

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