The Next Generation of IIoT: Micro & Macro Connectivity
From a consumer standpoint, the impact of IoT connectivity is clear. People can purchase smart home systems and automobiles with increasingly autonomous features. Looking at the potential changes to our daily lives in the coming years, all things point to connectivity. We are eyeing a future where we can monitor and control our homes, vehicles and business around the clock. The news stories are exciting and tangible because new products are frequently unveiled and we see them being used in our everyday lives. This impact has spread beyond the scope of the consumer market, which ultimately led to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Traditional businesses, like those in utilities, oil/gas and agriculture, face a future that has the potential to transform entire industries due to the power of digital disruption. Despite the growing pains and challenges of “going digital,” industrial businesses face almost limitless potential to streamline operations and control large distributed networks with a level of precision that was previously impossible. As these industries pick up on the value of data and connectivity, next generation applications have emerged that will drive competition and increase productivity. Data and analytics will be available via the cloud and accessible from any device. And even better, the quality of data will be controlled through automation and the incorporation of third party applications. What this means for businesses is they will be able to monitor their networks on a micro level. This allows problems to be stopped in their tracks and for precise process adjustments that streamline operations. With third party applications, there is not only substantial business opportunity for developers, but there are endless possibilities for process control, security and operational apps that will drive down costs and support increased production. Most business decision makers are aware that there is no stopping digital transformation because research shows that it’s already happening. Many businesses are in the process of digital transformation and have already thought about these next generation systems and the research proves this: 75 percent of IoT providers say that big data and analytics are among the top skills they look for when adding talent to their teams. 50 percent of companies look to hire specialists in mobile development. A recent TechBullion article states: “they already have noticed the close relationship of mobile and IoT and plan to launch IoT projects for their businesses within the nearest 5 years.” Gartner says that by the end of 2017 demand mobile application development will grow five times faster than the number of IT companies able to meet this demand. A new report from Frost & Sullivan anticipates a trend in the transition from connected devices to the use of cognitive or predictive computing and sentient tools in the next 12-18 months. So what does this mean for industrial business? It means they need to invest now in the communication technologies that will deliver the data that is absolutely critical for future networking needs. It means they need to think about how they can enable programmability at all network endpoints – even at the edge. And lastly, it means they need to start working through the challenges of a digital shift now so they are prepared for an automated, connected future.
Rugged Wireless Radios for International OEM Applications
For original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and military applications around the world, operational success requires reliable data delivery. This 100 percent achievable with rugged wireless radio solutions. As Industrial IoT pushes for more connectivity, coupled with the surge in commercial use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), the pressure for around the clock command and control (C2) links is higher than ever – and it’s happening on a global scale. To support these growing needs, FreeWave has announced the general availability of the MM2-5 Watt 1.3 GHz (13X5W) integrated radio. Offered in a small package for ease of integration, the MM2-13X5W features an external 5 Watt output, making it ideal for UAS, OEM and military applications where reliability is paramount and space is at a premium. These solutions can be leveraged to deliver important data in the U.S. and abroad for a wide variety of mission critical applications. The MM2-13X5W has a lot to offer starting with it’s built in versatility and the ability to function as a gateway, endpoint, repeater or endpoint/repeater. Security is a priority – each MM2 13X5W is equipped with proprietary frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) technology. It also features a line-of-sight range of up to 90 miles, and can be deployed in international settings where lifesaving communications and security are paramount. A number of these use cases include UAS applications, soldier training, environmental monitoring and other government and defense needs. Next Generation UAS Applications As the commercial drone market rapidly expands, the number of use cases is filtering into new markets. Beyond the military scope, commercial UAS applications have the potential to completely transform the monitoring, control and data analysis processes for many industries. The MM2-13X5W is equipped to support this next wave of these UAS applications, including: Pipeline monitoring as a service – drones can help maintain safe and consistent visibility of the pipeline and deliver that critical data to the network. The small form factor and proven reliability means uninterrupted data transmission in remote settings. Homeland security apps – recently, in the U.S., there have been many heated conversations around border protection. Many drone supporters believe that UAS can offer a cost effective way to monitor the nations borders. The U.S. border patrol even recently solicited contractors to build facial recognition drones. Drone delivery service – As we look at the future use of commercial UAS, drone delivery is a popular topic of conversation. We’re also seeing use cases where drones can deliver food and medicals supplies to high risk areas in third world countries. Precision Agriculture: Drones can enhance crop visibility, enabling smarter decisions and more food output. The potential impact of drones in precision agriculture is becoming recognized throughout the world. As the possibilities for commercial UAS continue to multiply, so does the need for secure C2 links for successful operations – and this is where the MM2-13X5W is an ideal solution. Additional Product Features The MM2-13x5W also features the following: 115.2 and 153.6 kbps selectable RF data rates TDMA, Super Epoch TDMA, and AES Encryption Performance tests from -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius Data link range up to 90 miles For more information about the MM2-13X5W, please visit: https://www.freewave.com/mm2-m13-series/
5 Reasons Why Your IIoT Network Needs Wireless Programmability
If your company is grappling with the shift towards wireless connectivity and automation, you’re certainly not alone. As more processes are automated, especially within industrial markets like oil and gas or utilities, data has become a valuable asset that provides critical information for operations and performance. Up and coming industry leaders are pushing for modern Industrial IoT (IIoT) networks, as the older, more traditional workforce heads towards retirement. As a result, the processes of yesterday are being phased out – especially when it comes to choosing between hardwire and wireless for remote deployments. For many, wireless solutions have been accepted for some time as the primary means in which data is collected, transported and analyzed. Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)-based technology in particular is proven to be a reliable and maintainable wireless option. Now, however, we are facing an entirely new realm of opportunity with FHSS-based programmable wireless technology that is molding the future of data collection. Here are five reasons why you need to consider programmable wireless technology for your IIoT network: Bring it all to the Cloud – Programmable wireless solutions are equipped with the ability to incorporate custom, third party applications at the Edge. When we talk about the Edge, we essentially mean the outermost layer of the network. For industrial networks, the Edge is often a remote area where mission critical operations occur. In order for the business to capture a holistic view of their entire network, many have added sensors and other data-capturing devices at the Edge. By adding third party applications with new programmable wireless technology, businesses are able to expand automation capabilities, reduces costs, simplify operations and enable data transmission directly to a private or public cloud. Smart Data Over Big Data – The goal of achieving ‘Big Data’ is common practice in most modern IoT and IIoT networks. Decision makers recognize the power of data and know they need to receive it from every network end-point. We’ve seen this to be true purely in the proliferation of sensors and IoT devices deployed across the U.S. that continues to grow. Having programmability at the edge of the network offers a big advantage, because you have the ability to control of the quality of the data. Even better than Big Data is access to the specific, timely data that is most pertinent to your business operations. Robust and Reliable Technology: Programmable wireless solutions are equipped to embrace the future of data collection. The beautiful thing about these solutions is that the backbone of the technology is FHSS. This particular Radio Frequency (RF) technology has been proven in some of the most adverse conditions imaginable. These technologies are trusted by the government to maintain their links and have proven to operate in some of the most dreadful and intense environments in the world . Where performance is critical – these solutions have proven to work for decades and now programmable options can reliably bring this data directly to the cloud. Flexible and customizable– We are all privy to the fact that no two networks are the same. With programmable options, radio functionality is customizable to the specific needs of the network. Despite the variances, remote networks likely have one thing in common – data needs to be transported across significant distances. Programmable wireless technology is built to be deployed at nearly any point in the network where sensors are collecting data. This is an area in which traditional hardwire solutions almost always fall short, as most businesses cannot afford the cost of running hardwire to these remotes sites. Besides, there are wireless options that are built for easy installation and long-range communications that simply make the most sense for remote deployments. Meeting Modern Demands– Today, IT and OT departments are one in the same. These modern networks eliminate barriers which is conceptually great for operations. However, like any major disruption, convergence has created a number of challenges from visibility, to cultural difference, to security. To ease some of these tensions, modern wireless solutions are designed to drive connectivity for the entire network, and are even able to tie in legacy systems from the field. Many FHSS-based technologies offer secure-data transmission, and by leveraging the programmable wireless technology, and you can bring data to the cloud. Wireless technology is recognized as a necessary solution for remote operations. As IIoT networks mature, there are stark advantages in leveraging programmable solutions. Not only do they rack up cost savings and streamline operations, but they are deployed at the edge of the network with minimal hassle and are built to deliver in any environment.
Rugged IIoT Solutions That Can Weather Any Storm
Mount Washington Observatory (MWO) is a research facility located at the heart of what many consider the “home of the world’s worst weather.” Think thick ice, dense fog, drifting snow, powerful winds, sub-arctic temperatures, rapidly changing conditions and more fog. The New Hampshire-based facility provides critical research data on the Earth’s climate and doubles to protect the lives of the MWO crew, US Forest Service Snow Rangers and New Hampshire Fish and Game employees by providing real-time weather updates. Collecting data is critically important for MWO operations and the safety of those it helps protect. In this vicious and unforgiving environment, FreeWave’s rugged IIoT solutions are responsible for delivering the data that is invaluable to research and safety efforts. Powering through Fog and Ice The extreme conditions at the MWO facility range from fog with 50-100 mph winds to sub-arctic temperatures that are accompanied by 140+mph winds and thick ice. The weather is known to change frequently and fast, with ice accretion rates of up to 12” per hour — and visibility is often limited or non-existent. These extremes make it the ideal location for studying the environment and climate. However, when search and rescue teams are deployed the situation can quickly become dangerous. They rely on MWO’s real-time data to assess conditions. As you can imagine, there is little room for connectivity issues when people are out in the elements. Ruggedized IIoT Solutions The key to establishing a network at Mount Washington is robust and hardened technology that will perform in the Summer and Winter extremes. For more than 13 years, FreeWave 900MHz spread spectrum radios have delivered the data that the crew relies on to survive some of the most intense weather in North America. While the technology is constantly exposed to the rough conditions, it performs day-in and day-out, providing critical data around the clock. Check out the full case study, including a description of the network here: https://www.freewave.com/mount-washington-observatory/
Utilities & IIoT: The ‘Perfect Storm’ Meets the Revolution
In early 2017, John Kennedy at SiliconRepublic declared the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) the ‘perfect storm’ – a convergence of technologies with the capacity to create new economic benefits based on operational efficiency. On these blog pages, we’ve covered many different facets of industries adopting intelligent communication technologies likes sensors, programmable radios, and powerful analytics tools, but one industry in particular seems poised for the greatest upheaval: utilities. Many industry experts are pointing at utility markets as poised for revolution. So, what happens when the ‘perfect storm’ meets the revolution? Critical Infrastructure Transformation Given the way the human population is dispersed in the United States (and abroad), cities play a huge role in driving the growth of IIoT technologies in utilities. Water and wastewater treatment plants are perhaps one of the most important (and overlooked) pieces to modern infrastructure. Without these plants, after 1-2 uses, most of the water in North America would be unusable. Instead, companies are using sensors and other connected monitoring devices to create smart data that informs decision making, eliminates variables, and improves effective responsiveness. Similarly, the electric grid has seen significant transformation as well. In the era of the smart grid, we now have the ability to monitor grid activity more closely, deploy electricity more efficiently based on usage spikes, and allow consumers to track their own energy usage. The residual effect of this tracking is, perhaps, an increased awareness of how we use energy on a daily basis and could lead to better individual conservation efforts. Alternative Energy On The Rise And speaking of conservation efforts, with the ability to use energy more efficiently, alternative energy has exploded as viable alternatives to our traditional resources. Wind power has grown into a consistent source of energy, but for years, operators needed a better way to monitor the energy systems. Today, IIoT technology not only allows better monitoring, but provides real-time management capabilities for operators. The name of the game is efficiency, and if the operations are efficient, then the usage can be efficient as well. Business Convergence Since utility companies are now better equipped to understand when and how resources are being used or deployed, they can streamline some of the day-to-day operations by building a network of smaller solutions that are specifically designed to meet niche needs, creating more business opportunities for both traditional and alternative utility providers. Although many doomsday scenarios point to increased automation as the death of the worker, with a greater diversity of solutions, the economic impact might actually provide more jobs instead of fewer. Relying on the traditional model of the last half-century, however, does not. Ultimately, we are still looking at an industry that is right on the cusp of revolution. Utilities have, historically, been slightly slower to respond to technology overhauls at a high level, but with the added efficiency and financial benefits that accompany IIoT adoption, companies are rethinking old strategies and pushing into a new frontier – confronting the ‘perfect storm’ head-on to ensure the best possible landscape once the dust settles.
IIoT News Headlines: Trains, Agriculture, Underwater and More
Industries around the world are being transformed by the Industrial IoT. We recently shared a blog with a report that estimates IIoT will experience explosive growth and approach one trillion dollars by 2025. From trains and under water applications, to agriculture, we are already seeing IIoT expand its reach today. However, we continue to see security as one of the biggest challenges – which continues to top news headlines. Below are some of the recent IIoT stories that have caught our attention: How Siemens Is Using Big Data And IoT To Build The Internet Of Trains By: @BernardMarr | Published on: @Forbes “Siemens AG is one of the world’s largest providers of railway infrastructure, serving rail operators in over 60 countries. Through harnessing Big Data, sensors and predictive analytics they say they can now guarantee their customers close to 100% reliabilit It calls this the “Internet of Trains” – the on-rails segment of the wider ‘Internet of Things’ concept which describes how everyday objects of all shapes and sizes can now be connected together online and given the ability to communicate and capture data for analytic purposes.” Agriculture Is The No. 1 Opportunity For African Internet Of Things, Security The No. 1 Challenge By Tom Jackson | Published on: @AFKInsider “Agriculture, Africa’s largest economic sector, is likely to be central to the growth of IoT. There are many examples around the world where value can be unlocked from enhanced efficiencies along the value chain. Mining, oil and gas, telecommunications and manufacturing will have to adopt IoT to improve efficiencies.” The Internet of Underwater Things Published on: @NauticExpo_eMag “The development of an Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT), transmitting data throughout the ocean could make possible a system of roaming, autonomous vehicles and underwater sensors, all communicating with each other and relaying information to networks above the surface. This could be used for a wide range of submarine tasks, from pipeline repair and shipwreck surveys to seismic detection and ecological monitoring.” IIoT and The Cyberthreat: The Perfect Storm of Risk By: @ChrisGrove_Geek | Published on: @MBTwebsite “Many of these newfound risks did not previously exist, mostly due to the lack of interconnectivity and the network ‘air-gap’ — which has become a thing of the past. As industrial organizations race to keep up with advances in manufacturing technologies, IT is increasingly encroaching into the OT world. It’s no longer uncommon to find IT technologies like Ethernet, Wi-Fi, the Cloud and cybersecurity products like virus scanners, firewalls, Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems and Security Information/Event Management (SIEM) products being managed outside the purview of IT.” It will be interesting to see how the IIoT continues to transform industries. What are some of the interesting use cases you are seeing as the IIoT growes? What are your biggest security concerns when it comes to IIoT?
Connected Oil Fields in Peru
China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) is one of the largest energy companies in the world with operations in 28 countries. In May 2017, CNPC announced it would invest $2 billion in an oil and natural gas block in the southern part of Peru. Beyond the recent investment, CNPC has had a presence in Peru for more than 20 years, including oil fields in the northern portion of the country. To optimize operations in 2009, CNPC ran a pilot test in Piura, Peru to find the ideal communication solution for monitoring, collecting and transporting data. Piura is a coastal city located near the equator where the average temperatures hover around 95 degrees Fahrenheight. To connect the oil fields into the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, CNPC needed a communication technology built to withstand harsh weather, such as high temperatures, large amounts of rain, wind and a variety of other environmental factors. The goal of the pilot was to have several test sites reporting to a gateway and then into a SCADA system to monitor several pumping devices and equipment including: Pump of Controller (POC), Pump Cavity Progressive (PCP), Balance Oil Recovery System (BORS) and plunger lift. FHSS for Oil and Gas In the Piura test case, the distances between links weren’t long, but depressions, canyons and steams made line-of-site (LOS) a challenge. CNPC, who tested multiple Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication solutions in Piura, found that FreeWave’s Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology solutions offered the most reliable connectivity in comparison to other solutions used during the test. FreeWave solutions also use repeaters that helped establish and maintain connectivity despite the lack of LOS. Additionally, the links were established easily and fast in comparison to other solutions that were a part of the test. During the entire three-month pilot, the FHSS-based M2M solutions did not lose communication or the ability to send data to the SCADA system. Industrially hardened, ruggedized FHSS technology has proven to be reliable in in many oil and gas installations around the world. As the Industrial IoT (IIoT) drives connectivity, we continue to see the demand for reliable communication links in environments like Piura that can have challenging conditions. FHSS technology offers not only a reliable, easy to install communication link, but it easily integrates into today’s modern IIoT networks. To get the full story about the test sites in Piura, read the case study: https://www.freewave.com/case-studies/china-national-petroleum-company/
Industrially Hardened Time Keeping
Today, a wide variety of industries with outdoor OT assets require technology that can connect the assets to a modern communication network. Depending on the application, the solution is not always as simple as slapping on a cellular or standard WiFi solution. For one, many industries have assets located in remote locations where cellular coverage is limited and long range communication is required. The OT network must also be highly secure and have the ability to avoid interference. Additionally, any outdoor communication network is subject to weather and natural elements. The best hope for maintaining reliable, secure, real-time connectivity is with a solution that is ruggedized, industrially hardened and proven to work in the most extreme environments. Recently we talked about wireless communication solutions used in Antarctica, that are performing under some of the most extreme conditions in the planet. These Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)-based technologies are built to last and perform with a secure connection. Did you know that the same solutions have also made their way into the sport of boat racing? When November rolls around each year, rowing enthusiasts gather in Chatanooga, Tenn. For the Head of the Hooch race. A total length of 5,000 meters, it is one of the largest and fastest growing regattas in the U.S. Each year more than 2,000 boats race over the course of two days. Participants come in from all over the U.S. and the event has hosted international teams from Canada, Germany, Sweden and Australia. Real-Time Accuracy The race is organized by the Atlanta Rowing Club. In the early days, organizers relied upon stopwatches for keeping time. As the race grew and more boats participated, the manual method of time keeping was no longer feasible. Organizers needed a time keeping solution with a link strong enough to deliver race results in real-time in any weather condition. Organizers selected an industrially hardened wireless communication solution and used it in conjunction with a timing system built for downhill skiing races. The system offers precise timing accuracy – down to 1/10th second for each boat. The wireless solution uses FHSS technology that is typically used in utility-scale Industrial IoT (IIoT) applications. These types of solutions have been used for monitoring and control of outdoor assets in the utility industries for decades and have proven to ensure accurate, real-time connectivity in harsh, remote locations. Not only is the “hopping” nature of FHSS inherently secure, but there are solutions with AES-encryption and other advanced security features to further secure the network. The solutions also offer a range of 60 miles Line-of-Site (LOS), and have proven to be ideal for the Head of the Hooch race. Over the years, races have been conducted in cold, rainy, cloudy and/or windy weather, and the solution has reliably performed in all whether conditions present during the race. Rugged, industrially hardened communication solutions that are well known in the oil/gas and utilities markets – aren’t always the initial choice for connecting non-industrial outdoor networks. In some cases, decision makers in these markets may simply be unfamiliar with the benefits of FHSS. What they need to know is that FHSS solutions have been trusted for years to provide long-range, real-time connectivity, and they are often ideal for a variety of use cases outside of industrial markets. Read the full Head of the Hooch case study here: https://www.freewave.com/case-studies/head-of-the-hooch/
IIoT Top News: Internet of Things Growth Continues at Dizzying Pace
The Industrial Internet of Things, or IIoT, has fundamentally transformed the way organizations not only conduct business in their current day-to-day operations, but also has changed the way businesses plan for the future. The explosive growth in data, and the corresponding business decisions driven by that data, is causing a massive ripple effect through the industry and is driving hyper-growth in software, hardware, cloud services, security and integration platforms. Here are some of the recent headlines in IIoT that are shaping the landscape. IIoT’s Growth Shows No Signs of Slowing A recent report released by ABI Research and published by Fierce Wireless forecasts that industrial manufacturing applications will generate more than $138 million this from cellular and satellite connectivity fees alone. Driving this massive fee generation is the expectation that the IIoT will exceed 53M installed connections in 2017. The largest marketplace for this activity is the Asian-Pacific region, where an additional 5 million connections are expected over this year. IIoT Security Concerns Increase While the IIoT is experiencing massive growth, new security concerns continue to arise. A new study from Tripwire published in IoT Tech News sought insight from 400 IT professionals who describe security as a “significant” part of their job. Of the respondents, over 50% say they do not feel prepared for security attacks that exploit unsecured IIoT devices. 94% of those same respondents believe that the IIoT exposes their organizations to increased vulnerability for cyber attacks. Robert Westervelt, security research manager at IDC, said: “The apparent contradiction of known risks and continued deployment demonstrates that security and operations need to coordinate on these issues. While IIoT may bring new challenges and risks, the fundamentals of security still apply. Organisations do not need to find new security controls, rather they need to figure out how to apply security best practices in new environments.” IIoT is Booming — But is Your Company Ready? Industry leaders across the globe are making large-scale investments in the IoT — but are they ready for all the challenges that come along with it? In a recent report developed by the BPI Network and featured in the Data Center Journal, 52 percent of executives at large enterprises expect IIoT to have a significant or major impact on their industry within three years — yet only 1.5% of executives surveyed say they have a clear plan and are on their way to implementation. These aren’t leaders from small brands, but executives from huge organizations like Whirlpool, Hitachi and Philips Lighting. And what is these executives biggest concern about the IIoT? You guessed it — security and data privacy. Robotic Automation Changing the Workforce Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin recently made news when he claimed that the effect of automation on the U.S. workforce is still “50 to 100 more years” away. A recent working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research strongly disputes that. As written about by the MIT Technology Review, the NBER claims that just in the time period from 1990 to 2007, as many as 670,000 U.S. jobs were lost to automation. Despite this significant impact, robots are still relatively scarce in the U.S. economy. With the growing strength of the IIoT, the number of robots used for automation are expected to increase rapidly, and it will be worthwhile to monitor the impact on the U.S. labor force, particularly in the area of manufacturing.
FreeWave Named as One of “20 Most Promising Wireless Solution Providers 2017”
Today, CIO Review published it’s list of the “20 Most Promising Wireless Solution Providers 2017,” and FreeWave is excited to be included in that list along with many other notable industry leaders! CIO Review writes, “FreeWave delivers best-in-class wireless platforms for secure and cost-effective control, transport and collection of IIoT data.” Among other companies included in this report are Qualcomm, Mojo Networks, Brocade Communication Systems and NetGear. For the last two years, we have focused our new product engineering on developing a comprehensive collection of communication platforms, an Industrial IoT programmable radio (IPR), ruggedized WiFi platforms, and products with mesh networking and frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) capabilities. In the last year, we’ve announced several new products designed to service a wide range of IIoT applications, including a pilot program for our IPR where third parties can develop proprietary IIoT apps for Edge and Fog Computing. Join the ZumLink IPR Pilot Program today! https://t.co/bWVQM8Arun #IIoT #IoT #programming #AppDev #Wireless pic.twitter.com/Km06N4nukK — FreeWaveTechnologies (@freewavetech) April 5, 2017 It’s been an exciting 2017 so far, and we’re excited for what the future holds, both for FreeWave and for the IIoT industry as a whole!