Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1347119
8 I ICT TODAY In some markets, such as pharmaceutical operations, the onerous validation requirements make it very difficult to justify any such updates. Finally, the data becomes available. It can be programmed into the system where the customer needs it (e.g., ERP system, machine learning algorithms, dashboards, reports). The nature of the process is that the amount of work may take one to two days but getting the right information and collaboration between parts of the organization can extend the timeline by a week or more. Single-pair Ethernet is not merely a new connection technology, it is also a technology that enables digital- ization and the accessibility of critical data at the decision point. Ethernet is the communication backbone of the cloud, enterprise networks, and even plant and building operations. Devices in intelligent buildings and many sensors in factory automation, however, create and communicate data over analog signals or various field- bus protocols. In these systems, there are usually barriers between different systems in the form of PLCs or gate- ways that interpret the data and execute commands at the edge. Building and industrial control systems have evolved so that data is created in one manner (e.g., fieldbus) that requires special conversion to be consumed in another (e.g., Ethernet) which creates inefficiency of data flow. How Data Comes from Edge Devices Visualize the data translation between two different protocols by looking at how this translation occurs in the context of the 7-layer open systems intercon- nection (OSI) model, which describes the communication function from the bits that travel on the physical layer to how the data is interpreted at the application layer (Figure 1). At first glance, analog sensors appear to be a very simple system. The sensor delivers an electrical signal that is calibrated to correspond to a certain parameter, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, flow rate, or another environmental characteristic. Read the electrical signal and perform minimal conversion, if any, and the data is ready to use. When looking at this from the context of the OSI model, however, it becomes clear that the analog sensor and its data transmission is only part of the story. For the sensor data to be a usable part Entering the age of digitalization, much of the data that is being automatically connected cannot be used straightaway. FIGURE 1: The OSI model for standardizing communication functions. OSI Layers Purpose 7 Application Data format and translation 6 Presentation 5 Session Managing routing and connections between devices 4 Transport 3 Network 2 Data link Transmission of raw bits and frames 1 Physical of a system, it must be connected to an IO card that can read the data on set intervals, perform any conversions required, and transmit the data to whatever systems require the data—and do so in the correct application layer protocol. So, while the sensor itself is simple, complexity remains on a separate device, whether that be an IO card, wireless gateway, or small form factor computer (e.g., Raspberry pi, ASUS Tinker Board S, Onion Omega2+).