11.4.14 Industrial Control Systems

aliases:

• ICS

Learn.

ICSs handle workflow and automation processes of all sorts of machinery. They're often present in the critical infrastructure of developed societies, like power plants, manufacturing complexes, hospitals, telecommunication systems, and more.

ICSs have five main components:

• Programmable-Logic-Controller
• SCADA-Controller
• Human-Machine-Interface
• Distributed-Control-System
• Modbus

All of these components together is sometimes referred to as an operational technology (OT) network, the opposite of an IT network.

ICS and Cellular Networks (Raw Lesson Content)

A cellular network for IoT enables long-distance communication over the same system that supports mobile phones and smartphones. This is also called baseband radio, after the baseband processor that performs the function of a cellular modem. There are several baseband radio technologies:

• Narrowband-IoT (NB-IoT)—This refers to a low-power version of the LTE or 4G cellular standard. The signal occupies less bandwidth than regular cellular. This means that data rates are limited (20–100 kbps), but most sensors need to send small packets with low latency, rather than making large data transfers. Narrowband also has greater penetrating power, making it more suitable for use in inaccessible locations, such as tunnels or deep within buildings, where ordinary cellular connectivity would be impossible.
• LTE Machine Type Communication (LTE-M)—This is another low-power system but supports higher bandwidth (up to about 1 Mbps).

#XI

#Aplus