Real-time communications over wired/wireless PROFIBUS networks supporting inter-cell mobility

PROFIBUS is an international standard (IEC 61158, EN 50170) for factory-floor communications, with several thousands of installations worldwide. Taking into account the increasing need for mobile devices in industrial environments, one obvious solution is to extend traditional wired PROFIBUS networks with wireless capabilities. In this paper, we outline the major aspects of a hybrid wired/wireless PROFIBUS-based architecture, where most of the design options were made in order to guarantee the real-time behaviour of the overall network. We also introduce the timing unpredictability problems resulting from the co-existence of heterogeneous physical media in the same network. However, the major focus of this paper is on how to guarantee real-time communications in such a hybrid network, where nodes (and whole segments) can move between different radio cells (inter-cell mobility). Assuming a simple mobility management mechanism based on mobile nodes performing periodic radio channel assessment and switching, we propose a methodology to compute values for specific parameters that enable an optimal (minimum) and bounded duration of the handoff procedure

Remote machine condition monitoring based on power supply measurements

The most widely used rotating machines in the industry are three phase alternative current (AC) induction machines. With the advances in variable speed drive (VSD) technology, they have become even more reliable than their direct current (DC) counterpart. However, inevitably these motors soon begin to fail with time due to mechanical, electrical or thermal stress hence the need for condition monitoring (CM). Condition monitoring systems help keep machines running productively by detecting potential equipment failures before it actually fails. Many condition monitoring methods exist on the market including vibration monitoring; acoustic emission monitoring, thermal monitoring, chemical monitoring, current monitoring but most of these methods require additional sensors and expensive data acquisition system on top of a specialise software tool. This all increases the cost of ownership and maintenance. For more efficient monitoring of induction motor drive systems, this research investigates an innovative remote monitoring system using existing data available in AC drives based on AC motor operating process. This research uses standard automation components already present in most automated control systems. A remote data communication platform is developed, allowing access to the control data remotely over a wireless network and internet using PLC and SCADA system. Remote machine condition monitoring is not a new idea but its application to machine monitoring based on power supply parameters indirectly measured by an inverter is new. To evaluate the basic performance of the platform, the monitoring of shaft misalignment, a typical fault in mechanical system is investigated using an in-house gearbox test rig. It has resulted in a model based detection method based on different speed and load settings against the motor current feedback read by the inverter. The results have demonstrated that the platform is reliable and effective. In addition the monitoring method can be employed to detect and diagnose different degrees of misalignment in real time. This dissertation has major contributions to knowledge which includes: Understanding of real life machine condition monitoring problems for this application, including use of wireless sensor, communication over Industrial Ethernet and network security. The use of standard automation components (PLC and SCADA) in machine condition monitoring. MSc Research (Engineering) Thesis x An improved gearbox test rig platform which has the capability of remote control, acquiring and transferring data for monitoring induction machine drive system. The presented work shows that any machine using automated components such as PLC and SCADA and incorporating motor drive systems and other actuators has the potential to use the automated components for control, condition monitoring and reporting but this will require more tests to be done using the proposed platform

Towards an In-depth Understanding of Deep Packet Inspection Using a Suite of Industrial Control Systems Protocol Packets

Industrial control systems (ICS) are increasingly at risk and vulnerable to internal and external threats. These systems are integral part of our nation’s critical infrastructures. Consequently, a successful cyberattack on one of these could present disastrous consequences to human life and property as well. It is imperative that cybersecurity professionals gain a good understanding of these systems particularly in the area of communication protocols. Traditional Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) are made to encapsulate some of these ICS protocols which may enable malicious payload to get through the network firewall and thus, gain entry into the network. This paper describes technical details on various ICS protocols and a suite of ICS protocol packets for the purpose of providing digital forensic materials for laboratory exercises toward a better understanding of the inner workings of ICS communications. Further, these artifacts can be useful in devising deep packet inspection (DPI) strategies that can be implemented in network firewalls, in expanding challenge materials for cyber competitions, and in attribution, vulnerability assessment, and penetration testing research in ICS security. We also present software tools that are available for free download on the Internet that could be used to generate simulated ICS and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) communication packets for research and pedagogical purposes. Finally, we conclude the paper by presenting possible research avenues that can be pursued as extensions to this seminal work on ICS security. Prominent among these possible extensions is the expansion of the ICS packet suite to include those protocols in the wireless domain such as Wi-Fi (802.11), Bluetooth, Zigbee, and other protocols that utilizes proprietary Radio Frequency

Review. Monitoring the intermodal, refrigerated transport of fruit using sensor networks

Most of the fruit in Europe is transported by road, but the saturation of the major arteries, the increased demand for freight transport, and environmental concerns all indicate there is a need to change this means of transport. A combination of transport modes using universal containers is one of the solutions proposed: this is known as intermodal transport. Tracking the transport of fruit in reefer containers along the supply chain is the means by which product quality can be guaranteed. The integration of emerging information technologies can now provide real-time status updates. This paper reviews the literature and the latest technologies in this area as part of a national project. Particular emphasis is placed on multiplexed digital communication technologies and wireless sensor networks

A systematic literature review of communications standards in discrete manufacturing

Industry 4.0 has a particular emphasis on the data landscape of production facilities. Data is needed to gain essential insights from the production machinery to support operations management in better decision-making or indirectly by feeding decision support systems. Such data is encapsulated in an industrial communication standard to organize in a higher-level ontology. It is challenging for operation technology specialists to have an overview of all those standards because they are numerous. This work contributes a solution to this problem by systematically approaching the literature to give an overview of the industrial communication standards landscape. The method used is a systematic literature review with a backward and forward search consisting of three main phases: 1. keyword-based search on different platforms, 2. abstract screening, and 3. full-text screening. Over 2,100 article abstracts have been parsed systematically to condense it to the most relevant 309 full-text articles. This work presents an overview of the most significant industrial communication standards mentioned in these articles. Several use cases and some brief IT-security-relevant aspects are presented as well

A Comprehensive Survey on the Cyber-Security of Smart Grids: Cyber-Attacks, Detection, Countermeasure Techniques, and Future Directions

One of the significant challenges that smart grid networks face is cyber-security. Several studies have been conducted to highlight those security challenges. However, the majority of these surveys classify attacks based on the security requirements, confidentiality, integrity, and availability, without taking into consideration the accountability requirement. In addition, some of these surveys focused on the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) model, which does not differentiate between the application, session, and presentation and the data link and physical layers of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model. In this survey paper, we provide a classification of attacks based on the OSI model and discuss in more detail the cyber-attacks that can target the different layers of smart grid networks communication. We also propose new classifications for the detection and countermeasure techniques and describe existing techniques under each category. Finally, we discuss challenges and future research directions

Soluções de comunicação para controlo e monitorização de motores

O homem na sua busca incessante pela inovação criou um dispositivo, designado por motor elétrico, cuja principal função compreende a conversão de energia elétrica em energia mecânica. O motor elétrico é sem dúvida uma das maiores invenções da história, visto que impulsionou o processo de industrialização e alterou radicalmente o modo de vida das pessoas. De entre os diversos tipos de motores elétricos existentes, o motor de indução trifásico de rotor em gaiola de esquilo é indiscutivelmente o mais utilizado a nível mundial em aplicações industrias. A popularidade deste motor em particular advém da sua robustez, simplicidade, reduzido custo e excelente rendimento. O motor de indução apresenta contudo algumas desvantagens que se prendem com o decréscimo de rendimento em cargas de baixo valor. Para colmatar as limitações enunciadas surgiram algumas soluções tecnológicas, designadamente os contatores, os soft-starters e o InSwitch. O InSwitch pretende ser uma alternativa aos demais dispositivos de controlo de motores já existentes no mercado. Para além de controlar o motor de indução, este dispositivo pode disponibilizar informação pertinente relativa ao seu funcionamento. Assim sendo, utilizaramse as capacidades do InSwitch para desenvolver uma ferramenta intuitiva e de fácil acesso de forma a permitir aos técnicos de manutenção a visualização de toda a informação relevante relativa ao seu estado atual de funcionamento. Nesta dissertação são apresentadas duas soluções tecnológicas distintas, as quais foram desenvolvidas com o objetivo mencionado. Uma das soluções oferece ao utilizador a possibilidade de controlar e analisar os dados em tempo real do motor que pretende monitorizar, sem que para isso necessite de equipamento de medida de motores de indução, o qual é muito dispendioso. Através de qualquer dispositivo móvel equipado com o Sistema Operativo Android e Bluetooth o utilizador pode aceder a toda a informação do motor sem necessidade de parar todo o sistema de produção. A segunda solução desenvolvida permite que os motores comuniquem, através de uma ligação de rádio frequência, com um dispositivo central. O dispositivo central dispõe de um processador ARM Cortex-M4, o qual é responsável pelo processamento de toda a informação recebida dos motores e de a reenviar para uma base de dados. Por fim, toda a informação armazenada na base de dados pode ser consultada e analisada, em tempo real, pelo utilizador através de um website desenvolvido para o efeito