Use data consistently and uniformly

Continuous data flow from the system to the dashboard: capture, transfer, save and visualize. © Phoenix Contact

The harmonized data can be read out directly via OPC UA, REST-API or gRPC or forwarded to databases, cloud platforms or visualization tools via the Telegraf service. The engineering effort remains low, as the local bus of the Axioline I/O system is automatically read in with the connected modules. The modules are then automatically assigned to the appropriate connectors. The configuration is carried out entirely via a web visualization and is automatically saved in JSON files. This considerably simplifies updates and backups. Thanks to the open architecture of the IIoT framework and the PLCnext Technology ecosystem, users can implement their own connectors in IEC 61131-3 if required. Extensive ready-made functions and modules are available for this purpose, making implementation easy.

The connectors can be easily configured via the integrated web interface without the need for programming knowledge. © Phoenix Contact

The generic Modbus connectors GenericModbus_TCP and GenericModbus_RTU extend the framework with a flexible option for requesting data from a variety of devices via Modbus/TCP or Modbus/RTU. In this way, both simple sensors and complex field devices can be easily integrated into the network. The temperature connector records temperature values from Pt100 and Pt1000 sensors directly. Two-, three- and four-wire sensors are supported, allowing different installation and wiring variants to be integrated. The new HART connector significantly expands access to smart process sensors. It can be used to read out analog measured values and the HART variables of the sensors.

Capture, convert and forward raw data

The Telegraf app provides the PLCnext Technology ecosystem with a powerful and resource-saving data agent that can be flexibly integrated into industrial IT and OT architectures. With more than 200 plug-ins available, Telegraf is ideal for both simple machine connections and sophisticated data pipelines. The tool shows its particular strengths on the PLCnext Control controllers: raw data is buffered and pre-processed locally. This reduces the load on the controller and ensures that large volumes of data are reliably forwarded to IT systems or cloud services. The close integration of the IIoT apps from the PLCnext Store digital marketplace creates a powerful edge data platform: InfluxDB serves as a robust time series database on the controller, Grafana enables visualizations without external infrastructure, and MariaDB supplements the system with relational data storage.

Architecture overview of the IIoT framework with gRPC connection to a Telegraf app. © Phoenix Contact

Together with the IIoT framework and the harmonized GDPT data structure, this creates an end-to-end, time-consistent data basis. Telegraf extends this architecture with scalable data pipelines that aggregate and normalize data and make it available for monitoring tasks and machine learning processes such as anomaly detection or predictive maintenance.

Robust infrastructure for classic and data-driven applications

The new connectors of the IIoT framework open up numerous applications, especially in the brownfield. Existing S7 controllers, Modbus devices and HART measuring points can be integrated into modern data landscapes without interfering with the control technology. This considerably simplifies the subsequent introduction of energy monitoring, condition monitoring and operating data acquisition. Combined data sources, such as energy meters, HART sensor values or temperature measurements, provide a standardized basis for consumption analyses as well as peak load evaluation and condition monitoring of systems. The Telegraf app expands these possibilities with flexible, robust data pipelines at the edge. It filters, buffers and aggregates data and forwards it to local databases, visualizations or cloud platforms via 200 plug-ins. This creates a scalable, consistent database that supports monitoring and condition monitoring concepts and enables data-driven optimization. With the new connectors and the integration of the Telegraf app, the IIoT framework and the IIoT apps are developing into an end-to-end data platform that covers the entire path from the field device to IT and cloud systems. Different sensors, controllers and measuring points can now be connected, harmonized and centrally evaluated even more easily. The standardized GDPT ensures a uniform data basis, while Telegraf provides flexible data pipelines for storage, analysis and visualization. This results in a robust infrastructure that supports classic monitoring tasks as well as sophisticated data-driven applications, including predictive maintenance.

Dario Bertoli and Thiemo Ludmann, both Solution Engineers at Phoenix Contact

Hanover Fair, Hall 27, Stand G26