Instant connectivity
Sometimes, digitalization is really straightforward. For example, retrofitting existing water treatment plants to enable transfer of measurement and sensor data to the cloud is now as simple as plugging in an expansion card.
Water treatment is governed by strict regulations. Which is a good thing, because clean drinking water is something we all rely on. But for treatment plant operators, this entails labor-intensive quality assurance. To prevent failures, the measuring points for liquid analysis need regular maintenance. That calls for personnel with specialist knowledge – not to mention staying power and physical agility if the measuring points are in hard-to-reach places. This is where cloud connectivity can really simplify matters, giving operators easy access to measurements and status data from any location, at any time.
The Liquiline Edge Module CYY7
Until now, digitalization of existing systems has been difficult. “Getting brownfield infrastructure online meant operators having to expand existing fieldbus systems with edge infrastructure, or retrofit entire systems,” says Daniela Haider, a product manager at Endress+Hauser Liquid Analysis. A team here has developed a connectivity solution that does things differently. Now, instead of extensive upgrades or new infrastructure, it takes only a module – roughly the size of a desktop PC expansion card – that slots into the existing transmitter on the measuring point. This solution, the Liquiline Edge Module CYY7, allows plant operators to quickly and easily retrofit existing liquid analysis installations and connect them to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
Cybersecurity
Data transmission by the Liquiline Edge Module meets strict cybersecurity requirements. The security measures comply with the IEC 62443 series of international standards and are achieved using Secure Boot and an https connection via the mTLS security protocol. A manually operable ‘kill switch’ on the Edge Module will sever communication between it and the field instrument.
More data, greater benefits for the customer
With the module plugged in, it takes just a few minutes to connect the measuring point to the Endress+Hauser Netilion Cloud. Communication runs over a secure channel, independent of the fieldbus. Haider explains: “The Edge Module picks up the data from the transmitter and sends it to the cloud either independently over the cellular network or through existing wired Ethernet infrastructure. Neither variant makes a difference to the system’s functioning or processes.” It’s not just measurement values that are sent to the cloud – other sensor data is transmitted as well. “Thanks to that cloud platform, operators can use the sensor data to optimize maintenance intervals or even plan repairs,” says Haider. With the digital system, operators can meet legal requirements more efficiently – as well as offset the shortage of skilled workers.
This user-friendly plug-in digitalization solution is the result of several years’ work at Endress+Hauser. “Great teamwork across three product centers was an important part of the effort,” Haider says. “The sophisticated security system was a particular challenge for the teams, as was the energy-saving data transfer technology. More than 100 people inside and outside the company were involved in the development.”
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