How IOT works

How IOT works, from an ERP perspective.

Definition:

Simply put, IOT (Internet Of Things) is a system where machines talk to each other without the need for users to get involved.

It’s used to provide next-generation automation by identifying the state of a system with the help of various devices and sensors, and today major applications for IOT include monitoring and analysis.

A typical IOT system comprises of 4 components:

• Data Source
• Data Transfer Medium
• Data Processing
• Client (User interface)

Data Source:

It is the source that generates/collects data from the environment, and it can be any type of sensor (temperature sensor, pressure gauge, flow meter, etc.), any type of machine (weighing machine, CNC machine, etc.) or any type of PLC controllers.

The basic function of this source is to generate data about the state of the system, for example: A steam turbine system consists of many temperatures, pressure, and flow sensors, this sensor understands the state of a steam turbine and generates data about the temperature and pressure of turbine.

Data Transferring Medium:

This component’s main function is to fetch the data from the data sources and send data to the cloud then this data goes for further processing.

This data can be sent to cloud by several mediums like: Cellular, Ethernet, Satellite, etc. Which medium is used completely depends upon the availability and compatibility with the source of data.

For example: For one of our applications we used a Raspberry Pi computer as data transferring medium to connect with a PLC, and it fetches the data via. a Python Script and sends that data to a server.

Data Processing:

This component compares the data through some conditions and performs the actions accordingly. This action can be either monitoring, alarming, performing tasks like shutting down the system or activating another process, and typically is comprised of algorithms that contain if-else statements.

In my experience, the most popular platform for IOT data processing has been AWS IOT (Amazon Web Services IOT.) AWS IOT provides a platform that uses the MQTT protocol for data transferring, allowing users to develop their own algorithms and define custom actions that meet their requirements.

For example: In one of our applications we monitor the temperatures and pressures of a Steam Turbine. In applications like this, users can define a certain range for temperatures and the actions to take if temperature crosses that range.

Client (User Interface):

It’s the component that shows the processed data to the user in a presentable form, and typically makes use of bar graphs, pie charts, and other graphical objects. It also shows notifications of alarms and messages, and provides a user interface to respond to these back to the data source.

For example: In our Steam Turbine system, if blades temperature crosses the given range, our Turbine needs to trip immediately. Hence we made an alarming system that sends alerts via notification and messages, and with the help of user interface users can now send trip signals to the PLC.

Summary:

In summary, from my perspective as an ERP Solutions provider, utilizing IoT not only makes interfacing with automation systems easier, but it also adds an extra layer of safety to the system by integrating alarming and emergency trip systems.

Written by Nilesh Soni
Provider of custom ERP solutions and Freelance Writer
Edited by Shawn Tierney

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Nilesh Soni

Nilesh Soni is a freelance writer for The Automation Blog and has been contributing in industrial automation industry for the past four years as a entrepreneur and has helped many industries to organize their processes by providing custom ERP solutions.

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