For controls engineers building machinery, the explosion of data from Ethernet-ready devices presents both opportunities and challenges, according to partner publication Control.
Instruments like flowmeters and power meters now come with built-in microprocessors, providing not just basic operational data but also advanced diagnostics and device health information. This trend pushes engineers to become proficient in pulling, organizing and utilizing data from a wide array of devices and communication protocols such as HART, Modbus TCP/IP and Profinet.
The shift towards Ethernet-based protocols has transformed traditional control environments, moving from hardwired I/O to a mix of hard and soft I/O. As a result, engineers must integrate and amalgamate large data streams while ensuring their validity, especially when sensor accuracy can be affected by wear and environmental factors.
Engineers are turning to advanced tools like artificial intelligence (AI) to help manage and process the vast amounts of information being generated. AI can assist in identifying patterns and optimizing processes, although its effectiveness depends on the quality of the data it analyzes.
To manage this influx, systems like unified namespaces (UNS) provide structured access to data for different stakeholders, enabling real-time monitoring and tailored insights. Learn more in the full article from Control.
