IoT Device Twin Configuration for Industrial Data Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for configuring data collection logic in IoT devices for industrial systems, such as substation automation, are limited by hardcoded protocols, requiring on-site personnel, and pose security risks, with limited flexibility to adapt to new devices or protocols.
Innovation Solution
An IoT platform stores protocol configurations within device twin data, enabling bidirectional synchronization to configure IoT devices without on-site personnel, allowing them to work with various industrial devices and protocols, and securely distribute configuration information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If protocol configuration is hardcoded in the IoT device, then the device can operate without on-site personnel, but the device cannot adapt to new industrial devices or protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configuration by allowing the IoT device to retrieve and update protocol configurations from a cloud platform at runtime. The device twin data structure enables flexible adaptation to different industrial devices and protocols without requiring hardcoded configurations, resolving the contradiction between automation and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cloud platform as an intermediary between the IoT device and industrial devices. This intermediary stores device twin data containing protocol configurations and provides them to the IoT device automatically, eliminating the need for hardcoded configurations while maintaining automatic operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If protocol configuration is edited by human experts, then versatility is enhanced, but on-site personnel are required and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service configuration by allowing the IoT device to automatically retrieve configuration information from the cloud platform without human intervention. The device uses its unique identifier to fetch relevant device twin data, eliminating the need for on-site personnel while maintaining security through automated authentication and data retrieval processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud platform acts as a secure intermediary that manages configuration data centrally. Instead of requiring direct access to the IoT device for configuration updates, the platform securely distributes configuration information through established communication channels, reducing security risks associated with remote access.
3Adaptability or versatility
If special messages are used to transfer files to the IoT device, then configuration can be updated, but additional transfer channels are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the configuration update function with the existing data communication channel between the IoT device and the cloud platform. Configuration information is transmitted using the same communication infrastructure already established for operational data, eliminating the need for separate file transfer channels and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
To configure an Internet of Things, IoT, device for collecting data from industrial devices, the IoT device is coupled to a IoT platform. The IoT platform stores device twin data of the industrial devices. The device twin data includes configuration information. The IoT device retrieves the configuration information from the device twin data stored in the IoT platform and uses the configuration information for collecting data from the industrial devices.