Data Communication Strategies in Networked Control Systems – A Journey towards Industry 4.0

An industrial process control system comprises sensors, controllers, and actuators, essential for maintaining the overall process. These fundamental components are interconnected through a dedicated network, forming networked control systems widely utilized in process automation. Communication among sensors, actuators, and a local controller is facilitated by various protocols such as foundation fieldbus and Modbus. The networked control systems primarily involve two types of communication: periodic and aperiodic, enabling the transmission of control and information data across the network. This paper focuses on reviewing networked control systems to enhance their application in the context of Industry 4.0. The challenges associated with data transmission, including delay time, network access time, and bandwidth assessment, are examined based on existing literature. Moreover, the possibilities of integrating information within traditional networks are explored, shedding light on the potential of Industry 4.0. This paper aims to provide insights into the network coverage across multiple domains, facilitating improved process monitoring through efficient data transmission.