Industrial Internet Connectivity Framework | Page 42

Connectivity Framework 6 : How to Assess a Connectivity Technology ?

6 HOW TO ASSESS A CONNECTIVITY TECHNOLOGY ?

We apply the Industrial Internet Reference Architecture ( IIRA ) 1 viewpoints to create an assessment template for use in evaluating any connectivity technology . The connectivity functions ( see sections 4.1 and 5.1 ) constitute the functional viewpoint ; the typical considerations ( see sections 4.2 and 5.2 ) constitute the implementation viewpoint . The business and usage viewpoints are described below .

The assessment template is intended to be a tool for understanding any connectivity technology in the context of the IIoT needs . The worksheet is helpful for :

• understanding how a connectivity technology supports specific IIoT functional needs ,

• evaluating a connectivity technology ’ s trades-offs for typical IIoT considerations and

• determining a connectivity technology ’ s suitability for a particular use case ( once the specific requirements are understood ).

The worksheet helps categorize objectively a connectivity technology across the layers of the IIoT connectivity stack model ( see Figure 2-1 ) based on the functions it supports : is it a connectivity framework ( Figure 4-1 ) or a connectivity transport ( Figure 5-1 )? Some technologies span multiple layers of the connectivity stack ( Figure 2-1 ).

Connectivity technologies can be compared objectively , and the most applicable connectivity technology can be easily identified .

The worksheet is described below .

6.1 General Info ( Section 6.1 )

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