Contents:

Abstract: Advances in design of embedded systems, tools availability, and falling fabrication costs of semiconductor devices and systems have allowed for infusion of intelligence in to the field devices such as sensors and actuators. The controllers used with those devices provide typically on-chip signal conversion, data and signal processing, and communication functions. The increased functionality, processing and communication capabilities of controllers have been largely instrumental in the emergence of a wide-spread trend for networking of field devices around specialized communication networks. Specialized communication networks are nearly ubiquitous. They appear in a variety of application areas to mention automotive, train, aircraft, office and residential building, energy management, industrial automation, environment monitoring, etc. This presentation is intended to provide a framework for the workshop's presentations delving in to details of specific application domains. The presentation will trace the evolution of the specialized communication networks, and focus on the major issues and developments put in the context of the application domains such as industrial automation, automotive automation, and building automation and control.

Richard Zurawski, M.Eng, in Electronics, and a Ph.D. in Computer Science, is with ISA Group, San Francisco, CA, involved in providing solutions to 1000 Fortune companies. He has over 30 years of academic and industrial experience, including a regular professorial appointment at the Institute of Industrial Sciences, University of Tokyo, and full-time R&D advisor with Kawasaki Electric, Tokyo. He has participated in a number of Japanese Intelligent Manufacturing Systems programs.

Dr. Zurawski is Editor of two book series: Industrial Information Technology, and Embedded Systems - CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; and Editor in Chief of the IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics

He was a Guest Editor of a special issue of the Proceedings of the IEEE dedicated to Industrial Communication Systems; and was invited by IEEE Spectrum to contribute an article on Java technology to «Technology 1999: Analysis and Forecast Issue».

Dr. Zurawski is a Senior Member, IES AdCom; he served as a Vice President of the Industrial Electronics Society (1994-1997), and currently Chairman of the IES Technical Committee on Factory Automation. He was also on a steering committee of the ASME/IEEE Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems. In 1996, he received the Anthony J. Hornfeck Service Award from the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society.

Dr Zurawski was Editor of eight major handbooks including The Industrial Communication Technology Handbook, and Embedded Systems Handbook (two editions), CRC Press/Taylor & Francis.

Contents:

Abstract: Few developments have changed the face of automation so profoundly as the introduction of networks did. Especially fieldbus systems --networks devised for the lowest levels of the automation hierarchy-- had an enormous influence on the flexibility and performance of modern automation systems in all application areas. However, fieldbus systems were not the result of some "divine spark", they emerged in a continuous and often cumbersome evolution process. This lecture tries to give an introduction to the nature of automation networks, specifically fieldbus systems, with a focus on industrial automation. It reviews the continuous evolution from the historical roots of fieldbus systems up to the tedious standardization efforts. A brief sketch of communication fundamentals will be given in order to identify the mechanisms relevant for industrial communication systems and typical characteristics that distinguish fieldbus systems from other types of networks. We will discuss the typical traffic characteristics and requirements in automation that led to a multitude of network solutions tailored to specific application domains. To demonstrate the existing variety, room will be given to a closer examination of medium access mechanisms devised to address the specific needs of automation, in particular real-time requirements. Furthermore, we will discuss the problem of interoperability and how it is being tackled above the ISO/OSI model by means of profiles. Since automation networks are usually part of a more comprehensive communication infrastructure, aspects of network interconnection and integration will be introduced. Finally, we will briefly highlight some recent trends and evolution prospects regarding the introduction of Ethernet and wireless networks, thereby setting the ground for the subsequent lectures.

Thilo Sauter received his master and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering from the Vienna University of Technology in 1992 and 1999, respectively. From 1992 to 1996 he was a research assistant at the Institute of General Electrical Engineering, working in the area of programmable logic and analog ASIC design. Since 1996, he has been with the Institute of Computer Technology, where he was head of the center of excellence for fieldbus systems, established a research group on factory communications systems and was involved in leading positions in several national and European research projects. Since 2004, he is director of the Institute for Integrated Sensor Systems at the Austrian Academy of Sciences. In 2005, he was appointed assistant professor at the Vienna University of Technology.

His current research interests are smart sensor systems and communication networks in automation, with a focus on interconnection issues of fieldbus systems and IP-based networks, security, as well as industrial Ethernet. Present teaching activities include fieldbus systems, fault tolerant systems, and the design of analog integrated circuits. He is author of more than 150 technical papers and has been involved in the organization of several IEEE conferences such as the WFCS, ETFA, and ISPCS series.

He is member of the Austrian technical committee ÖVE MR65SC and delegate in the CENELEC committee TC65CX, both concerned with fieldbus standardization. Furthermore, he is AdCom member of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, chair elect of the IEEE IES TC for Factory Communications and IES representative in the administrative committee of the IEEE Sensors Council. Since 2006, he has been involved in the ExCom of the IEEE Austria Section as Vice Chair and Treasurer, respectively.

Contents:

Abstract: More and more Ethernet based Fieldbuses are used in automation application. The standard Ethernet from the IT world supports only limited Real-Time capabilities. IEC added to the well known fieldbus standards a set of Ethernet based Real-Time standards. This presentation gives an overview of the structure of these IEC standards, an introduction to the performance indicators and shows some selected examples of implementations.

Max Felser (Member, IEEE) received the B.Sc. degree in electrical engineering from the Ecole d'ingénieurs et d'architectes de Fribourg in 1980 and the M.Sc. in electrical engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich in 1983.

He was responsible for the developed methodology for data communication systems at Ascom AG in Bern and the head of the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) development at SAIA-Burgess AG in Murten. He joined the Berne University of Applied Sciences as a professor in 1991. Besides his function as dean for international relations he runs the fieldbus laboratory of the department of Engineering and Information Technology in Burgdorf (Switzerland).

Max Felser is the chairman of the national TC65 mirror committee of IEC, fellow member of electrosuisse and chairman of the Regional PROFIBUS Association (RPA) Switzerland. His research interest includes fieldbuses and industrial, real-time networks.

Contents:

Abstract: Wireless networks currently represent a viable opportunity for real-time communications as typically requested by industrial automation and manufacturing applications. However, for several reasons, it is envisaged they will not be employed as a complete replacement of more traditional wired networks that, in the past years, have been extensively used in such applications. Nevertheless, there is often the need to connect some components to an already deployed wired network that can not be reached (easily and/or reliably) with a cable. The most common example is a moving device that needs to exchange data with some control equipment located on a wired segment.

Such a type of requirement may be effectively satisfied by implementing wireless extensions of already deployed wired systems. Resulting configurations are hybrid networks in which, typically, wireless segments have limited geographic extension (some tens of meters) and connect only few stations.

In this presentation some considerations are presented about the way several well-known industrial networks (based on both fieldbus and industrial Ethernet solutions) can be extended with wireless systems based on the most popular technologies such as, for instance, IEEE 802.11 and 802.15.4. After describing the most common configurations of hybrid networks, we focus on some (wired) industrial networks and discuss the issues concerned with the actual implementation of their wireless extensions.

The final part of the presentation is dedicated to a specific case study, namely the implementation of a wireless extension of Ethernet Powerlink based on the IEEE 802.11 WLAN. In this case, we firstly provide some details about the design issues as well as the practical realization of the extension. Then, we illustrate the performance figures obtained by a theoretical analysis, numerical simulations and experimental measurements.

Stefano Vitturi is a senior researcher with the Institute of Electronics, Information Engineering and Telecommunications of the Italian National Research Council (IEIIT-CNR) since January 2002.

From 1985 to 2001 he has worked at the control and data acquisition system of RFX, a nuclear fusion experiment included in the Fusion Program of the European Community, located in Padova, Italy. He received the Laurea degree (summa cum lauda) in Electronics Engineering from University of Padova, in 1984. His research interests include industrial communication systems, real time communication networks (wired and wireless), implementation and performance analysis of devices conforming to the most popular industrial communication protocols.

Contents:

Abstract: Industrial networks are growing in usage, complexity and application of standardized protocols. This gives advantages in the increased availability of process information to the operators and business systems. But the complexity and openness results in challenges on how to guarantee constant availability and trust in using the system for control functions and for safety applications. A system must first be analyzed with respects to threats. For safety certified systems the threats are the different fault that could happen in the system under control, e.g. a fire, an explosion, a gas leakage etc. For security analysis the threats are from human beings typically on the outside of the plant and the threats includes misuse of security bugs, but do include more issues. The design of a safety system includes hazard analysis of the system and hardware and high quality of the development of the hardware and software. This is established technology specified in the standard IEC 61508 for industrial systems. For the network a number of proprietary safety certified solutions has been used, but the trend is towards using standardized safety certified variants of fieldbuses. The security solutions are less established technology in industrial context but a number of methods and technologies are available. Security must be addressed both at device level and as part of the system level. Standardized solutions for the various application areas are still not properly established

Kai T. Hansen has a Ph.D. from the University of Oslo in physics and has worked at the universities in Copenhagen and in Freiburg. He has been working in ABB Corporate Research since 1997 and works here as Senior Principle Scientist and group leader. His technology focus includes a number of topics related to embedded systems, real-time industrial control systems, wired and wireless communication, safety and security and methodology for development. He has been involved in a number of research projects and has contributed to the realization of the Artemis program. He is at the moment involved in a collaboration project between ABB and Cambridge University. He has also worked on standardization and is now co-chair in the Subcommittee on Security in Industrial Communication and Embedded Systems for the Technical Committee on Factory Automation in the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society. He is in addition to "technology core", interested in the structure and quality of development processes in the industry and is certified project leader and scrum master. The ability for the industry to develop comprehensive system solutions with the front end technology for sustainable business is his core interest.

Contents:

Abstract: The use of networks for communications between the Electronic Control Units (ECU) of a vehicle in production cars dates from the beginning of the 90s. The specific requirements of the different car domains have led to the development of a large number of automotive networks such as LIN, J1850, CAN, FlexRay, MOST, etc..

This talk first introduces the context of in-vehicle embedded systems and, in particular, the requirements imposed on the communication systems. Then, a review of the most widely used, as well as the emerging automotive networks is given. Next, we address the problem of how to verify the respect of the performance requirements of the communication systems, be it by monitoring, simulation or analysis. The current efforts of the automotive industry on middleware technologies which may be of great help in mastering the heterogeneity are then reviewed, with a special focus on the proposals of the AUTOSAR consortium. Finally, we highlight future trends in the development of automotive communication systems.

Nicolas Navet is a researcher at INRIA (LORIA Lab, France) since 2000 and the founder of REALTIME-AT-WORK (http://www.realtimeatwork.com), a company dedicated to providing services and software tools to help real-time system designers optimize the hardware resource utilization and verify that dependability constraints are met. He has worked on numerous projects and contracts with automotive manufacturers and suppliers since 1996. He has a comprehensive experience in timing analysis, resource usage optimization, communication protocols for real-time and fault-tolerant data transmission and dependability evaluation. He is the author of 70+ refereed publications and received the CAN in Automation International Users and Manufacturers Group research award in 1997 as well as 5 other distinctions (e.g., best paper awards). He holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Berlin (1993) and a PhD in Computer Science from Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine (France, 1999). More information on his work can be found at url http://www.loria.fr/~nnavet.

Abstract: Building automation (BAU) provides automatic control of the conditions of indoor environments. Targeting at large functional buildings, these systems have mainly been developed to reduce operational costs through increased flexibility, optimized building management and energy savings. Initially focusing on classic automation domains such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), lighting and shading, the reach of BAU has extended towards integrating information from all kinds of building systems, working towards the goal of "intelligent buildings". In this context, the adoption of automation technology also becomes attractive in the residential domain. Besides energy efficiency considerations, increased comfort and security aspects - including health care and ambient assisted living - are key motives here.

The presentation starts with an overview on building automation and smart homes in general. A short history is given and the motivations that lie beneath these domains of automation are stated. Further, the state of the art is laid out presenting the most widely adopted technologies that form the field, automation and management layers of today's automated buildings. To get the most out of a BAU system, the aim is to connect all the heterogeneous devices and systems found in modern buildings and integrate them into one network without to much effort. Thus, the aspects of network integration as well as commissioning play major roles in every BAU project and will be discussed next. An extended part of the presentation will focus on applications that become possible once an in-house network is established. A look into the future including current research topics and further challenges in the field closes the session.

Stefan Knauth is Professor of computer science and embedded systems at Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences (HFT Stuttgart) Germany. His research covers wireless sensor networks, localization, automatic configuration, networks, and plug & play solutions in building automation. Before joining Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences he was a senior scientist at the CEESAR competence centre and iHomeLab, at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences, in the group of Prof. Klapproth. Prior to that, he was with UMTS Network configuration tools at Siemens ICM/ICN, and System Engineer for ESA projects for space scientific measurement equipment, in cooperation with Kaiser-Threde, Munich, Germany. Stefan Knauth holds a Ph. D. Degree in Solid State Physics from Leipzig University, where he developed, among other accomplishments, a specialized measurement electronics and signal processing software.