Sensor technologies for future automation systems

Abstract

Sensor technologies offer new paradigms for computation, control, communication, and collaboration. In this article, we discuss the impact of sensor technologies on automation systems and issues that must be resolved before such technologies can be applied to the domain of automation systems. Over the last decade, intelligent sensors and actuators, which are connected via traditional control networks, have become increasingly important elements of automation systems. The current performance of control networks and emerging trends in general communication networks motivate a consideration of Ethernet and wireless networks as network foundations for future automation systems. Simultaneous with this transition, the automation industry needs to incorporate emerging trends in pervasive devices and new system-level properties such as adaptation, self-organization, and self-healing. The sensor-actuator network for automation described here represents a confluence of emerging trends in device technologies, communications, and system concepts with the mature domain of automation systems. We discuss four critical infrastructure issues central to sensor-actuator networks for automation: operating systems, communications mechanisms, security, and distributed services.