A Multi-layered Framework for Internet of Everything (IoE) via Wireless Communication and Distributed Computing in Industry 4.0

Abstract

Background: In the recent years, due to proliferation of the internet and smart computing there has been progress in the areas of energy, manufacturing, oil and gas, smart grid and other industrial applications. The progress in these areas is due to the advances in the emerging areas such as Big data, cloud computing, fog computing and wireless networks. The advancement in these areas has paved the way for new industrial evolution, Industry 4.0 or smart factory or Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). IIoT is made up of a collection of devices, with each device being able to monitor, collect, exchange, analyze and take decisions intelligently based on the environment through proper communication channels. IIoT consists of smart solutions in the fields of electricity (smart-grid), home automation (smart-home), supply-chains (smart-automation) and agriculture (smart-agriculture). The interconnection among the different smart components of IIoT is a key requirement for IIoT systems. We revised all the patents relating to industry 4.0 and its application in Internet of Services (IoS). Methods: In this paper, a novel three-layered architecture is proposed to handle the heterogeneity of components of IIoT, thus providing a way for the digital transformation of IIoT systems. Results: The paper also provides an overview of underlying components, principles, communication standards and enabling technologies for IIoT or smart factory. There is no patent information used in the paper for discussing the framework. Conclusion: Recent technologies such as cloud computing, fog computing, and big data are the key enablers for IIoT systems and are transforming the way in which the industrial systems work and operate.