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Top 10 IoT Use Cases report from IoT Analytics, published
October 2021. These use cases include remote asset monitoring,
process automation, vehicle fleet management, optimizing plant
or asset performance, and more. All 10 use-cases share certain
network requirements, like cybersecurity, tolerance for harsh
environmental conditions, and a way to scale management as the
deployment grows. But other network requirements vary based on
the use case.
Here are some questions to help you identify network
requirements for your IoT use cases.
Are your
connected assets stationary or moving? How much data will they
transmit?
If you’re
connecting stationary assets, the main considerations are:
-
Bandwidth: You’ll need more if your devices generate
lots of data (e.g., point-tilt-zoom HD cameras) or if you’re
backhauling data from many devices.
- Type of
network: Depending on what’s available, you might
connect assets to a wired network, Wi-Fi, 3G, public or
private LTE, 5G, wireless backhaul, etc. To avoid the
complexity of managing different kinds of routers, look for
one that gives you a choice of communications modules.
-
Reliability: If your use case is mission-critical,
you’ll need ultra-reliable connectivity. A dropped
connection that halts operations can cause financial loss.
It gets more
complicated when we think about connected assets that are in
motion— for example, Wi-Fi hotspots on trains, environmental
sensors on trucks transporting perishables, or
container-handling equipment at ports. Network requirements in
these use cases include low latency and seamless hand-offs
between wireless networks. If you’re connecting moving equipment
– for example, robots, cranes, autonomous vehicles, etc. in
warehouses, ports, and mines – ultra-high reliability is crucial
to prevent accidents.
Is sensor data
used for real-time decisions?
If so, you’ll
need a highly responsive network, with low latency. For example,
think about tele-remote operation of vehicles in ports and
mines, where an operator in the office remotely controls a
vehicle while viewing real-time video feeds from a
vehicle-mounted camera. Delays in the video feed can mean the
operator misses a turn or obstacle, causing an accident. In
contrast, if you’re simply checking that perishables in a truck
weren’t exposed to unsafe conditions during the trip, a little
latency won’t make a difference.
Common
denominators: cybersecurity, remote management, rugged
enclosures
No matter how
you’re using industrial IoT, some network features are
mandatory. Security protections are one. Cyberattacks can cause
downtime, revenue loss, worker safety issues, quality problems,
and disruption of critical infrastructure services.
Cisco Blogs / Internet of Things (IoT).
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