IIoT Network Architecture Specification

This specification defines requirements for operational behavior, and interface specifications for firmware for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sensor and effecter nodes. IIoT nodes that implement this specification are capable of self-reporting their capabilities to higher levels of the IIoT installation and provide a uniform data model for operational configuration and control.
In addition to operational requirements, this specification also provides guidance regarding a uniform process for configuring the firmware. These requirements are intended to facilitate integrators who wish to purchase sensors or effecters from one set of vendors and connect them to controller nodes from yet another set of vendors. Thus, this specification aims to enable both device operators as well as sensor integrators.
Although this specification is not targeted at a specific hardware platform, it has been written to support the IIoT Endpoint architecture defined by the PICMG IoT.0 (“MicroSAM”) standard. The MicroSAM standard defines a compact computing module through which vendors may create “smart sensors” within the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) application space.
PICMG IoT.2 addresses the data model and network architecture requirements for integration of Endpoints into larger sensor/effecter networks.
Section 2 of this document provides background information about the context in which PICMG IoT.2 compliant firmware is to be deployed. Section 3 provides information about the connection model and theory of operation for the sensor/effecter nodes. Sections 4 and 5 provide requirements regarding operational requirements and configuration requirements respectively.

Industry Objectives

1. To enable sensor vendors to create smart sensors without having to manufacture the control circuitry and/or software by purchasing these components from PICMG-compliant suppliers
2. To enable controller suppliers who wish to create smart sensors or smart-sensor components to do so in a way that is interoperable with other suppliers
3. To enable sensor/effecter integrators to integrate sensors/effecters from multiple vendors with controllers from multiple vendors
4. To accelerate the uptake of smart-sensor technology through open-specifications and interoperability

When combined with the PICMG sensor-domain network architecture and data model, sensors connected to MicroSAMs or other controller modules will seamlessly integrate into the network with plug-and-play interoperability.

This specification defines a new form-factor that is targeted at helping traditional sensor vendors quickly create smart sensors without having to worry about the control domain of the sensor. The Micro Sensor Adapter Module (MicroSAM) is a compact computing module developed specifically to meet the needs of sensor-domain control within the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) application space.

MicroSAM fills a need not currently addressed by other PICMG specifications; namely, a compact module targeted at microcontrollers within a sensor domain. As such, the processing performance, and I/O connectivity are targeted toward sensor interface. MicroSAM may exist in parallel with other PICMG technologies, where MicroSAM devices provide sensor connectivity, and MicroTCA®, COM Express®, or CompactPCI® Serial provide higher layers of control.
This specification recognizes the availability of many microcontroller-based open-sourced platforms. MicroSAM extends and co-exists with this ecosystem by offering a standards-based solution that has been designed specifically for embedded use. Industrial environmental operating range, power filtering and robust connectors are some of its key advantages.

The basic features offered by MicroSAM are:

• Full industrial operating temperature range from -40C to +85C.
• Power filtering and signal conditioning for embedded installations
• RS422 communications link for reliable communications
• Direct connectivity to a variety of sensor types (analog voltage, analog current, digital)
• Latching connectors for secure connectivity
• PWM output for motion control applications
• Hardware interlock and trigger signals for synchronization
• Small size (32mmx32mm)
• Low power consumption