Industrial Edge
Edge computing for easily implementing IoT applications SOURCE: SHUTTERSTOCK
Intelligent IoT edge solutions can close the gap between the IT and OT worlds. With preinstalled software packages as well as universal graphical user interfaces and programming environments, powerful Edge PC hardware are enabling simple development and implementation of edge applications.
Universal graphical programming reduces software development expenditures. (Image source: whiteMocca@shutterstock.com) THE ADVANTAGES OF EDGE APPLICATIONS ARE already known. However, a traditional PLC cannot locally preprocess incoming data. That’s why Phoenix Contact has developed Edge PCs with preinstalled software tools for easy implementation of IoT applications (lead). The discussion of whether edge computing lends itself to industrial applications comes up with increasing frequency today. The concept involves a decentralized computing infrastructure that is close to the data source. Edge computing solves the challenges of cloud computing in the production industry, as the cloud applications are pushed into the production applications. Cloud computing is already established in many office-related IT applications. Many of these application areas, such data analysis and storage, are also relevant to the manufacturing industry – that is, operational technology (OT). There are some challenges 08.202 2
in this environment, however, in terms of data protection and data security, lag time in information processing, data transfer rates, and computing power and storage space costs. Edge computing brings data processing closer to the machine and thus closer to the data source. Relocating the cloud application to the edge (that is, the edge of the network) allows such problems to be overcome. It is important to realize, however, that there isn’t just the one edge. Rather, there is potential along a spectrum from the machine edge to server-based solutions for entire production sites. And the actual functionality of the edge solution differs from application to application. Cited as typical edge applications are data collection and compression, data (pre)processing and analysis, the use of artificial intelligence, and cloud connection. Edge computing does not replace cloud computing, though. Instead, it complements it. The edge and the cloud thus have a
i n d u str i a l e th e r n e t b o o k
partnership in which the distribution of tasks between the two solutions can differ according to application.
Benefit from openness of ecosystem
Behind PLCnext Technology is an open control platform for industrial automation technology that is part of a complete ecosystem. The ecosystem consists of the following components: • PLCnext Control as a robust piece of hardware in the form of a PLC or industrial PC to which an I/O system can be connected • The engineering and configuration software PLCnext Engineer, which supports IEC 61131-3 • The PLCnext Store as a digital marketplace where software related to PLCnext Technology can be downloaded • The PLCnext Community, which serves as an information source and is there
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