Sensor-2-Server: Intelligent Communication at the Access Layer
*This is the first in a series of blogs examining Sensor-2-Server communications, development and implementation. Throughout history, industrial revolutions have hinged on the power of automating processes. While automation today offers many benefits, imagine if you could automate thousands – or even millions – of processes simultaneously? This is the next potential wave of innovation, and it’s the organizations that are “geographically dispersed” or “automation heavy” that will benefit the most. While long-range communications and connectivity have become increasingly easier to attain, businesses need to be able to break down their isolated islands of automation in industry to achieve comprehensive and connected automation at scale. For example, there always has been a clear line dividing operations technology (OT) and information technology (IT) networks. The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) blurs that line as industrial operations head in the direction of complete connectivity for all devices on a network – including those remotely located in the field. With new dedicated access layer platforms, IoT data can be analyzed, acted upon and transmitted from anywhere in an Industrial IoT (IIoT) network. The increasing shift toward Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) tends to bring up a lot of questions about the continued value of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems that have traditionally served as the driver for monitoring and control in industrial markets. Although OT and IT are beginning to converge, there is still high demand for SCADA data. However, new technology offers the opportunity for data to be used in ways that were previously not possible, such as predictive analytics. This doesn’t make SCADA obsolete, as many operators are using it and will continue to employ it. Going forward, industries will leverage new technologies designed to help them make better business decisions than with SCADA alone. Sensor-2-Server™ (S2S™) intelligent communications for the access layer can collect and transport the data that supports higher-level analytics. As IoT becomes adopted by industrial markets, there is going to be an increased demand for video, voice, data and sensor data communication from the outermost layer of the network (think sensors on oil pads or water tanks). Industries like oil and gas, electric power, agriculture and utilities are starting to pick up on the benefits of S2S when it comes to profitability and cost savings through more advanced data analytics. Defining Sensor-2-Server S2S is intelligent communication that begins at the sensor level and targets servers for specific reasons. These servers could include anything from a SCADA data server that collects and monitors through the SCADA system or a Big Data engine. S2S could be leveraged in a predictive analytics engine that compares data at rest stored in a database to data in motion in real time from the access layer of the network. The concept of S2S extends beyond transmitting data. It is about creating intelligent transmission from a specific location back to the appropriate server with the appropriate intelligence to drive action for change. What is the Access Layer? The access layer is the edge of the IT network. An IT infrastructure has a core that is home to all the Big Data and data analytics. At this core, the data is “at rest” because it has reached its final destination. Next is the distribution layer of the IT infrastructure which is where the major plants, sites and facilities are located. Further out is the aggregate layer where data at the next level in the network is collected. Extending out even further is the access layer. The access layer is the layer at the far edge of the IT network. In oil and gas, for example, oil pads would be part of the access layer because they are typically remotely located at the edge of the network. It is highly likely that sensors physically exist in this layer for monitoring and control of these devices. Additional examples of the access layer are tanks, refinery sites and ocean exploration vessels. In water/wastewater, the access layer could be the treatment facility that has the water meters, pumps, smart meters, etc. Essentially, in an industrial site, the S2S access layer is the furthest point at which the operators are collecting sensor data. Industrial organizations today need intelligent secure communication and transmission from the sensor data back to the appropriate server, and there are a number of available options. What’s Next? Next week, we’ll continue our Sensor-2-Server series with a look at implementation and some of the core tenets of communication system development.
DistribuTECH Day 3 Recap: Utilities-as-a-Service?
We’ve wrapped up another year at DistribuTECH, and we’re leaving Orlando feeling invigorated and excited about the industry
DistribuTECH 2016 Day 2 Recap: Renewables Rule
After the initial excitement the opening keynote, everyone spent time checking out innovations from around the industry.
DistribuTECH 2016 Day 1 Recap: People, Places and Things
Each year, we attend a wide variety of trade shows for many different vertical industries. These shows present several opportunities: we get to go talk about ourselves a little bit, we get to see what other companies and thought leaders are doing, and we get to talk with some very interesting folks who have varying perspectives on the industry, the trends and the technologies that drive growth. This year, at DistribuTECH 2016 in Orlando, Fla., we wanted to jot down some brief, daily thoughts on some of the things that we saw both around our booth and at the show in general. Record number of attendees! We were pretty excited to hear that there were a record number of attendees at this year’s show. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the utilities and energy industries. Lots of changes, some really great and innovative new technology, and a bevy of thoughtful people makes for a good trade show! Wearables?! Where are we, CES? No! Wearables are not just for the consumer-driven recreational technology market. Wearable technology has the chance to change the way our boots on the ground and in the field work. The adage about working ‘smarter, not harder’ certainly applies to some of the companies developing wearable technology for the industrial sector. Great speakers abound! With a huge portion of the journalism industry in shambles, publications like PowerGrid International (one of several from PennWell) really stand out for its consistently solid and informative material. It’s always great to see the ‘Ink-Stained Wretches’ get their due, and Teresa Hansen, editor in chief of PowerGrid International and Electric Light & Power, gave an excellent keynote on the first day. Hey, look at us! It’s always a little uncomfortable talking about yourself, but we are incredibly excited about the future at FreeWave, and many of the people we talked with who came through our booth – attendees, media, analysts, customers, etc. – were excited as well, namely about our new WavePro WP201 wireless shorthaul Wi-Fi solution. There are some features that we’re especially proud of, including the high-speed Voice, Video, Data and Sensor Data (VVDS) transmission capabilities, the self-healing one-mile industrial Wi-Fi hotspot and the ability to achieve maximum throughput. We’re excited for day 2 – keep an eye out for us!
IIoT Top News: The Future of Utilities
As utility companies continue to track usage, consumers are growing equally cognizant of individual energy use as well, especially with the growth of private alternative energy practices such as home solar panels or wind power. That’s why this week’s IIoT top news is focused on the utility technology of tomorrow. This practice of selling privately generated energy back to the smart grid is in its infancy, but consumers now expect device connectivity to track, say, the amount of energy used by lights or the refrigerator during nighttime, off-peak hours. Because of that, the onus lies on utility companies to gather data and deploy advanced analytics that can be translated into relevant information for the average user. Now, February may have started out cold for some of us, but it is about to heat up down south with the Distributech conference in Orlando, Fla. This annual utility conference attracts over 11,773 attendees from 67 countries with 400 utilities, 480 plus exhibitors, 81 conference sessions and over 350 speakers. In lieu of this conference next week, we have decided to focus this week’s IIoT top news round-up on utility technology. Hope you enjoy this week’s round-up, and as always tell us what we missed! 2016 Power and Utilities Industry Outlook (WSJ) In the 2016 industry outlook for the power and utilities, it is clear automation and optimization will sprout more technologies for the industry advancement. John McCue, the U.S. Energy & Resources leader at Deloitte LLP believes that “Exponential technologies are accelerating the transformation of the power and utilities industry. Sector companies can respond by being open to change, assessing the potential benefits, and considering where and how to apply these emerging technologies.” Ten Energy Efficiency Predictions (Energy Digital) This list of top ten energy efficiency predictions has been gathered together by a team of experts to clearly forecast the future of energy and utilities. Energy Digital reports, “Digital marketing and marketing technology means utilities can do more with less and deliver tailored messaging based on the their consumer’s past experience with them, specifically past engagement with energy efficiency.” Tech Trends That Will Impact the Utility Sectore in 2016 (Huffington Post) The tech trends impacting utility in 2016, will be based on reliability and proven technology that will move them into the next era without missing a beat. Seyi Fabode with Asha Labs thinks that the utility industry is unmatched in it’s reticence “in adopting innovative technology. Despite its reluctance, the industry inevitably adopts the technology it resists.” As Water Utilities Move Online, Hackers Take Note (Governing.com) A recent report by the Department of Homeland Security indicates hackers are moving into the digital water utilities world. Tod Newcombe with Governing states, “Water utilities have in recent years — like pretty much everything else — become more reliant on the Internet to operate its networks of pipes and pumps.” Driving Battery Storage IoT, Electric Transportation Mainstream (Green Biz) The forecast of the next five years shows and increase in the use of the Internet of Things (IoT), which in turn is driving more battery storage for electric transportation in the energy industry. According to Barbara Grady with Green Biz, “Battery storage is changing the utility sphere by enabling solar plus battery systems to replace grid supplied power on residential and commercial buildings and by enabling micro-grids as a substitute to grid connection.”
Utilities: Where Data Flows Like Water at the Speed of Light
(Image courtesy Flickr Creative Commons) More than a decade ago, the choices were few to address the needs of data gathering and recording. Water and wastewater utilities, for example, had to be able to use a ‘one size fits all’ unit with set parameters and make their systems adaptable to the technology of the day. Since then, many municipal water systems, such as those in Southern Utah, have had to broaden the area from which they gather, use, and reclaim water. Most growing areas are even facing the dilemma of higher demands on services while trying to stay within shrinking budgets and manpower cutbacks. This is because in the past, many viewed electronic data gathering as a ‘want’ instead of a ‘need’ until now. As with any limited resource, scarcity often drives innovation as people are tasked to do more with less. Such is the current state and convergence of water/wastewater utilities and the Internet of Things (IoT) – an emerging paradigm in which more data and information can be gathered and acted upon during the processes of collecting, treating, monitoring, and distributing water. With the unprecedented demand for cities and municipalities to maximize water resource allocation, local government officials began implementing smarter methods to address the challenges of today and hurdle the potential obstacles in the future. By using new technology in the form of sensors, IoT networking and data analytics, city officials, local citizens, and businesses are now more accurately predicting everything from crop yields to at-home water conservation. This technological evolution is part of a much larger undertaking that has both garnered international attention and prompted action all the way to the Federal level of the United States government. Smart Cities Initiative Connected In response to the new Smart Cities Initiatives, cities around the country are beginning to take advantage of the $160+ million in Federal research and technical collaborations to help their local communities tackle key challenges such as lessening traffic congestion, reducing crime, fostering economic growth, creating jobs, managing the effects of a changing climate, and improving the delivery of city services and quality of life. According to a White House fact sheet on Smart Cities, emerging technologies have “created the potential for an ‘Internet of Things,’ a ubiquitous network of connected devices, smart sensors, and big data analytics. The United States has the opportunity to be a global leader in this field, and cities represent strong potential test beds for development and deployment of IoT applications.” Given the growth of these highly connected networks, Smart Cities are using wireless communication technologies to build critical infrastructure and support public services. According to the research firm Gartner, an estimated 1.1 billion connected things were used by Smart Cities in 2015, with this total rising to 9.7 billion by 2020. What Is on the Horizon for Utilities? As Smart Cities initiatives continue grabbing headlines and captivating imaginations, public utilities and their customers have the most to gain in the short term. Coordination and collaboration amongst a cities’ local government, utility operators, researchers, and technology vendors is key to bringing these “smart initiatives” to light. For example, Orlando, Florida was a destination of choice for many involved in these smart city transformations, as DistribuTECH 2016 brought approximately 12,000 people together from more than 60 countries across the globe to keep the focus on the future of electric power delivery and a smart utilities infrastructure.
Remote Wi-Fi: Enabling Wireless Video Transport
(Image courtesy Flickr Creative Commons) The topic is not new, but it is increasingly common in conversations with customers and potential users of wireless networks for M2M and IIoT applications. In fact, this topic now occurs in almost every conversation regarding networks and their wireless video transmission capabilities. Our topic is the transport of video and the applications it enables. As reference, a few areas where wireless video is being used are: Security operations, such as facility assess control and perimeter monitoring Work safety to monitor hazardous areas Deterrence of vandalism and theft Process monitoring for improved quality and efficiency For these video integrated systems, they perform several functions: Capture video of the area or process being monitored Transport the video stream to the video analytics, which typically resides in the enterprise network and not at the remote site with the video camera Analysis of the video stream to derive actionable information or data from the real-time feed, and Act upon the information or data extracted from the video where the system may or may not be collocated with the video camera. High-speed wireless networks are well suited for transporting data from remote sites to centralized locations, and again transporting information from the centralized location to remote or other sites where it is acted upon. These high-speed networks require high data rates, low latency and quality of services (QoS) capabilities. Application Examples An example of an integrated wireless video system employing a high-speed wireless network is remote facility access control. The video stream is transported from a remote site to the analytics engine located in the enterprise network where facial or license plate recognition is performed on the video stream. If the person or vehicle is to be on site, the on-site assess control system locks or unlocks a gate or door. In this example, the integrated system has the video source and assess the control system collocated. Another example is improving worker safety through transporting video and analytics where the analytics detects worker presence and activity. If the activity stops, the worker can be contacted through an emergency management system. If the worker does not respond to the contact, an emergency response team can be dispatched. In this example, video transported from the remote site is analyzed and drives inputs into emergency response systems that are not collocated. Video analytics is promising with a wide range of possible applications. However, it is the wireless high-speed network that makes these services viable and cost effective since the wireless network has the bandwidth to be used for multiple applications (voice, video, data and sensor) across multiple departments within the enterprise.
Solving The Challenges of Remote Wi-Fi in the Industrial Internet of Things
Most of us can relate to the frustration of when the Wi-Fi is down, or running slowly, or if we travel away from an established network and aren’t able to connect to another one nearby. The lack of Wi-Fi makes it impossible to check our emails, look up something on the internet, connect with others, or get our work done efficiently. In short, it makes us feel a little helpless and a whole lot of cranky because we’ve become way too accustomed to getting the information we want – when we want it – and staying in 24/7 connection with our world. Now, if we’re challenged by our Wi-Fi experiencing a service blip in a metropolitan area, imagine a remote industrial setting like an oil pad, a water treatment plant, or a rural electric tower. All of these reside in what is known as the access layer – or at the very outer edge of an IT network. Not only is there usually no internet connectivity in the access layer, but these devices are typically operating in rugged terrain where they’re experiencing extreme and volatile weather conditions such as wind, snow, blistering heat, tornadoes, dust storms, etc. Each of these access layer settings is part of a larger industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) network that connects the information gathered from local sensors that transmit or receive operational data. From there, they pass it along through subsequent network touch points all the way to the IT department at headquarters where this data is collected, analyzed, and acted upon for improved decision making. So, at the access layer – sometimes in the middle of nowhere where there can be no Wi-Fi networks for miles – talk about being disconnected from the world! Adding the environmental component to that, as well as the fact that most of these remote sites aren’t adequately monitored and data security is at risk, it makes your occasional Wi-Fi challenges seem a bit tame, yes? Here’s where wireless IIoT communications technology can help transmit this critical sensor data from remote industrial locations with no Wi-Fi connectivity all the way to where they’re supposed to go – and at very high speeds. This week, FreeWave is launching its new WavePro™ WP201 shorthaul and Wi-Fi platform that delivers secure collection, control, and transport of Voice, Video, Data, and Sensor (VVDS™) information from the access layer. Think of it as high-speed, rugged Wi-Fi connectivity that can be positioned in that oil pad, power plant or wherever Wi-Fi is needed. It will not only connect these sensors to the internet, but can also transport voice and video to create an instant in-field network, provide greater visibility into what’s going on at these sites, and better protect remote assets. The Advent of Short Haul and the Access Layer Change is inevitable, and change is taking place in SCADA, M2M and IIoT networks. SCADA networks started as networks that transported periodic process updates and used low bandwidth networks with longer links to meet their mission. Today, remote SCADA and Wi-Fi networks are transporting more data from more sensor data with greater frequency in order to drive operational efficiency into business processes. SCADA and M2M networks are becoming more multi-functional than their predecessors. These networks are transporting more than sensor data from the remote site to the enterprise. These networks linking remote sites to the enterprise network are now transporting: Video for remote process monitoring, enhanced site security and theft deterrence Voice, since cellular coverage is not ubiquitous Data so field personal have access to information needed to work efficiently This combination of data types is what FreeWave terms as VVDS™ (voice, video, data and sensor). VVDS transport is now a requirement for your wireless network. Another change occurring in traditional SCADA networks is that link distances are decreasing. In the past, SCADA networks with wireless links of more than 10 miles were common. Today, wireless links in excess of 10 miles typically use high speed, microwave, point-to-point (PTP) systems because of the increased capacity demands of VVDS. The WP201 links the formerly unconnectable and is designed to not only meet the harshest environmental conditions, but also encrypts the data to keep it secure and protected. It can be used in a wide variety of industries like oil & gas, utilities, mining, disaster recovery, facility automation – anywhere where field sensor information needs to be transmitted to servers for Sensor-2-Server™ (S2S™) connectivity. The applications are almost limitless. With higher speed, shorter wireless links, FreeWave defines wireless networks in three tiers: Long Haul (or the Distribution Layer) are wireless links from 5 miles, and greater and are typically implemented using high speed, PTP microwave systems. Short Haul (or the Aggregation Layer) are wireless links from 1 to 8 miles that are easily implemented using high speed, 2.4GHz or 5GHz radios with directional antennas to create point-to-multipoint (PMP) networks for data and information aggregation, or PTP links that provide network ingress/egress points. Close Haul (or the Access Layer) are PMP networks with wireless links operating from a few feet to a couple of miles to transport VVDS data. Designing and deploying wireless networks using a layer approach that enables each layer to be optimized for transport and for cost ─ leveraging the right equipment at the right point. The WP201 and its remote Wi-Fi and short haul capabilities is the first in a series of S2S products that FreeWave is offering to be that critical communication bridge in the IIoT world. So in your own operations, what are some ways you might incorporate the WP201 into your network?
IIoT Top News: Wireless and Wi-Fi
Gone are the days of limited connectivity—at least that’s the plan this year. According to Wireless Design Magazine, The Broadband Alliance has announced plans to hosts a world Wi-Fi-day. This global initiative has teamed up with more than 135 technology companies to help encourage all utilize the IoT and IIoT to its fullest, by taking steps to help business, industry and neighborhoods have access to quality wireless. Now as you reach for your smart device, smart machine or connected thing, hold on tight wireless is taking you to the deep end. Don’t worry you can handle it. Enjoy this week’s reading, and as always tell us what we missed! Army Command Post Gets Secure Gigabit Wi-Fi (GCN) The army is hoping to save countless hours tearing down wired battle systems networks with a new secure gigabit Wi-Fi. Mark Pomerleau with GCN reports that “Wireless capability speeds that configuration, improves troop mobility and provides greater flexibility for commanders.” Subsea Fiber Optic Networks: Past, Present and Future (RCR Wireless News) In this interconnected world, it is amazing to think about the amount of subsea fiber optic networks connecting the planet today, tomorrow and yesterday. Joey Jackson with RCR Wireless News reminds us all that “Subsea fiber optic networks are responsible for the transmission of 90% of the world’s international data.” Type With Your Brain: Future Tech Ditches Keyboard (Discovery News) The future of wireless could allow you to get rid of the keyboard all together and simply type with your brain. Eric Niiler, with Discovery News, tells us that “Scientists are already working on technology that connects the brain to electronic gadgets and two new devices unveiled this week could help usher in a future without keyboards: a wireless brainwave headset and a brain sensor that dissolves in the body after completing its job.” The Future of Wireless Technology is Coming at Light Speed (The Telegraph) One hundred times faster than Wi-Fi, the future of wireless is expected to reach light speed. Rob Waugh with the Telegraph believes that “The speed boost will come from an unlikely source: the lighting above your head. Instead of Wi-Fi radio aerials beaming data through buildings to your laptop, computer-controlled LED bulbs will flicker above your head, beaming out signals like a super-fast Morse code.” The Future of Public Wi-Fi: What To Do Before Using Free, Fast Hot Spots (Wall Street Journal) Setting up an office on the sidewalk isn’t a realistic option year-round, but change is coming. It is good to know what to do before you jump on that free public Wi-Fi.Joanna Stern with the Wall Street Journal informs us, “Wi-Fi networks with widespread coverage and new standards are popping up to allow us to cut back on paying the carriers an arm and a leg for cellular data.”
Can You Hear Me Now? Remote Wi-Fi in the Connected World
(Image courtesy of Tony Webster, via Flickr Creative Commons) One of the more fascinating aspects of our eternal march toward ‘the future’ is the occasional, but impacting, intersection of our critical infrastructure and the general consumer. Like a sine wave across the axis, our connected world meets at points in time that catalyze technological explosions. The transition of computers from behemoth industrial-sized calculators into the first iteration of the personal computer is a good, somewhat recent example. So is the Internet. Each of those began as a fairly raw tool used for enterprise industrial services before intersecting with the consumer and birthing new innovations and applications.Today, the connected world on the horizon, envisioned by dreamers and pragmatists alike, is taking form on the backbone of wireless connectivity in a way that has the ability to impact our critical industries, our smart cities, our homes and our daily lives like never before. Remote Wi-Fi is a tool that has enabled connectivity and data transport for industries like oil and gas, precision agriculture, utilities and seismic monitoring, leading to a boom in the use of predictive analytics to better streamline the work processes in the field for these traditionally remote areas. However, two of the main problems with traditional remote wi-fi network deployment are the security of these networks, as well as the latency of the data transmission. To combat this, these industries have turned to the use of shorthaul (between 1-5 miles) wi-fi hotspots to utilize built-in security measures and decrease latency for data-intensive applications like voice, video, data and sensor connectivity. As a result, these industries have been better able to collect and transport data throughout an entire smart ecosystem, affecting everything from decision-making in the field, to the way the consumer can track personalized utility usage. Our smart cities and municipalities depend on data collected remotely to anticipate infrastructure-related resiliency issues, like grid outages, seismic events and disaster preparedness. Companies in these industries depend on remote data to solve production, maintenance and transport problems. Wi-Fi Will Save the Connected World In early January, the Wi-Fi Alliance, a worldwide network of companies trying to standardize global Wi-Fi provision, announced a new protocol that promises to trigger changes throughout the industrial landscape. Wi-Fi HaLow, as it is called, is an addendum to the IEEE 802.11ah protocol that is set to be finalized later in 2016. HaLow operates in frequencies below 1 GHz and can potentially provide a longer range than Wi-Fi has traditionally offered. The implications for remote Wi-Fi and the Industrial Internet of Things are huge. The addendum means more efficient battery usage due to operating on a lower frequency and with a lower data rate, which, in turn means a greater range and lower transmission power. This standard is still awaiting a final vote, so before we anoint HaLow as the magic bullet for which the Internet of Things has been waiting, the IEEE standards committee will have its say. To come full circle, the potential advent of better long-range Wi-Fi in remote settings could be the next intersection of the axis and the sine wave, enabling innovation and growth at both the industrial and consumer levels of connected-world technology.