Containerized Industrial Automation Control for Low-Latency OT Analytics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face limitations in control operations and bandwidth usage within operational technology (OT) networks, particularly when communicating with information technology (IT) networks, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission and processing.
Innovation Solution
Implementing software containers within industrial automation devices to execute control operations, receive data, and determine control actions, thereby reducing latency and expanding device capabilities, including data analysis, without modifying existing hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data is transmitted between OT network devices and IT network devices, then data analysis capabilities are improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
A gateway device is introduced as an intermediary between OT network devices and IT network devices. The gateway executes a container with data analysis application code, performing data analysis locally rather than transmitting all data to IT devices. This mediator approach enables data analysis capabilities while reducing bandwidth consumption by filtering and processing data at the gateway level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a new dimensional layer by introducing container technology and cloud-native architecture to the traditional OT network. The containerized application runs on the gateway device, creating a new operational dimension that enables sophisticated data analysis without requiring full data transmission to external IT systems, thus reducing network bandwidth requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control operations are performed by external IT devices, then control capabilities are improved, but communication latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device serves as a mediator that hosts containerized control applications locally. This enables control operations to be executed at the network edge rather than requiring communication with distant IT devices, significantly reducing communication latency while maintaining enhanced control capabilities through the containerized application layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The containerized application code is pre-loaded and executed on the gateway device, enabling control operations to be performed locally without real-time communication with external IT devices. This preliminary setup of computational resources at the edge enables low-latency control responses.
3Device complexity
If traditional industrial control systems are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but control operation flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device provides multi-functionality by combining traditional OT network device functions with containerized application execution capabilities. This universal platform can host various control applications and data analysis tools, enabling flexible control operations while maintaining the simplicity of the underlying OT network infrastructure through standardized container deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamic flexibility through container technology, allowing control applications to be dynamically deployed, updated, and scaled on the gateway device without modifying the core OT network architecture. This enables adaptable control operations while preserving system simplicity through the stable, standardized container runtime environment.
Data Source
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AI summary
An industrial automation device includes first processing circuitry configured to perform a first set of operations associated with controlling the industrial automation device or one or more industrial automation devices communicatively coupled to the industrial automation device. The industrial automation device includes input/output circuitry communicatively couplable to an electronic device having second processing circuitry that is configured to execute computer-readable instructions to execute a software container and receive, in the software container, data from the industrial automation device, the one or more industrial automation devices, or both. The second processing circuitry executes the computer-readable instructions to perform, using the software container, a second set of operations associated with controlling the industrial automation device or the one or more industrial automation devices. The second processing circuitry is also executes the computer-readable instructions to adjust an operation of the industrial automation device based on the second set of operations.