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Humble Beginnings of the IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT), that has been portrayed as an impending revolution, is not a new concept, but is the culmination from many years of connecting objects through computer networks. Kevin Ashton didn’t coin the phrase we use today until 1999 (while referring to RFID tags in supply chains), but the idea that he was employing came about earlier in the 90s when machine-to-machine (M2M) industrial solutions offered closed networks for device communication.

two manufacturing workers looking at notes

IoT: Converging IT and OT

IT (Information Technology) and OT (Operational Technology) convergence is reshaping manufacturing by integrating enterprise data systems with real-time industrial operations through IoT (Internet of Things) technologies. This transformation unlocks predictive maintenance, improved efficiency, and smarter automation while also introducing challenges around security, interoperability, and organizational alignment.

smart phone held near payment device with icon showing NFC connection between the two

IoT Made Easy: NFC for Connection & Control

Discover how Near Field Communication (NFC) is transforming IoT connectivity by making device setup, pairing, and control faster, more secure, and user-friendly. From commissioning “headless” devices to enabling touch-based Wi-Fi/Bluetooth pairing and secure access control, NFC simplifies complex processes across smart home, commercial, and industrial applications. Learn how this versatile technology reduces friction, boosts reliability, and unlocks new possibilities for connected systems.

Time-Sensitive Networking and IIOT diagram showing sensors, controllers, machines, and cloud systems coordinating via the TSN

How Time-Sensitive Networking Enables IIoT

The world’s first time-sensitive networking (TSN) testbed is being developed in a collaborative effort to change network infrastructure so that it will enhance the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). As this develops, it is essential that Industry 4.0. Machine designers, builders, and users have reliable and secure access to smart edge devices. This will force the current, standard network technologies to transform in an effort to meet the requirements of the next generation of industrial systems.

PROFIBUS Troubleshooting Tool Demonstration

his is a brief tutorial on how to operate the Procentec PROFIBUS Troubleshooting Toolkit Ultra Plus. For this tutorial, the PROFIBUS Troubleshooting Toolkit Ultra Plus is used. The PROFIBUS Training Kit will also be utilized; this is used for our troubleshooting and maintenance training using the ProfiTrace tools. In the PROFIBUS Training Kit, there is a PLC in the bottom of the case as well as five devices in the inner lid of the case. The last thing we will use is a Windows PC that is running ProfiTrace software.

Will Net Neutrality Impact the Future of IoT?

The debate over net neutrality has the potential to transform the current infrastructure of the internet. Net neutrality is primarily focused on whether Internet Service Providers (ISP) should be able to provide “fast lanes” or throttle speeds based on bandwidth consumption, and as a measure to provide quality internet speeds. Certain corporations such as Netflix provide services that consume mass quantities of data, which can drastically slow down internet speeds for other users. If situations like these enable ISPs to be able to charge large data consumers for quality service, then there will be an impact on a corporate level that could trickle down to the level of individual consumers. Net neutrality has the potential to alter the future of the Internet of Things (IoT) as more internet-enabled devices are generating data and using bandwidth.

PROFIBUS Troubleshooting Tool Demo: Topology

The last part that is included in the troubleshooting kit Ultra Plus is the tab called “Topology,” which is located directly to the right of the bar graph tab. This can be used to calculate the topology, which is basically a drawing of the instillation. It tells the user who is connected to who in this daisy chain of PROFIBUS cables. When starting this up, it is important that the user selects where on the bus they are connected. In this case, we plugged the ProfiCore Ultra onto the PG connector on the PLC/master. So on the drop down menu, we would select master.

The Internet of Things Mentality

Whatever there is to be said about the development of connected devices in recent years, it is obvious that the attitude behind the Internet of Things (IoT) has been mostly visionary up until this point. Some products have had more success than others, but on a broad scale, the adoption of IoT tech has been a slow process.

PROFIBUS Troubleshooting Demo: Bar Graph

The next thing we will take a look at is the “Bar graph” tab, which is directly to the right of the ScopeWare one. The bar graph is measuring the amplitude of the signal coming from each device. On the graph, there is the signal and address on the far left in which the ProfiCore Ultra is connected to in order for it to be the strongest. Devices further away have a little bit less strength in signal.

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