The future of industrial automation is being shaped by the vision of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). In this vision the controllers, actuators and sensing devices used in manufacturing will be integral components of information networks. Cyber-physical interaction will lead to new products and services that we can’t even imagine today.

What network topology should you recommend for a new plant floor network? What protocol should be used to prevent communication loops between multiple switches? What devices are being added to the network and are they cybersecure? What’s the best way to design a wireless LAN?

How is industrial communication infrastructure evolving to provide the capabilities needed by the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and the Smart Factory of the Future? One example is the development of standardized infrastructure that can quickly and easily connect to modular production cells, creating very flexible manufacturing capabilities.

The Belden Design Seminar is happening this week and a highlight of the first day was Jeff Lund’s session on “What’s Trending with the Industrial Internet of Things." Jeff’s background is strong in the area of embedded networking products and he brought this expertise forward with straight talk on what industrial engineers and technicians need to know about the IIoT.

What will industrial production and automation systems look like 10, 20 and 50 years from now? What do I need to understand about the communications requirements of the factory of the future to guide my planning today? Part of the vision of the Smart Factory of the Future / Industrial Internet of Things is that all relevant data will be available in real-time, leading to faster and smarter decisions. This in turn will lead to the design of more flexible and efficient processes.