With IoT now well into the billions of connected devices, original equipment makers (OEMs) and smart manufacturers are utilising IoT innovations to power their own digital transformations. This virtuous circle is strengthened as developments in connectivity, device management, security and testing and validation are applied to smart manufacturing environments enabling these to produce goods at a speed and price-point that massive IoT demands. IoT Now managing editor George Malim spoke to Thales’ Jose Sanchez, the head of product line management for IoT solutions, Stefan Mahr, the product marketing manager for 5G and security, and Sahil Bahri, a product line manager for IoT and 5G, to see where the efficiencies can be gained.
George Malim: How does Thales help address the production challenges OEMs experience?
Thales
Jose Sanchez: Across our work in projects ranging from smart metering to connected health devices to manufacturing and automotive, we’ve seen a series of challenges and painpoints that we aim to mitigate or eliminate. Manufacturing itself is going through digital transformation and we are taking a comprehensive approach to solve challenges relating to device security, 5G introduction, quality control and device deployment.
There are improvements to be achieved in addressing production complexity and we are making these by simplifying existing processes or introducing new innovations. As massive IoT becomes a reality, the connectivity attributes of 5G, the control of private networks, the flexibility and security of embedded SIM (eSIM) and the testing and configuration capabilities enabled remotely by software are transforming the productivity of manufacturing.
This is essential for IoT in order to keep costs down, speed up the introduction of devices to the market and hit environmental targets.
GM: Robust connectivity is essential for the always-on digital economy but it has always been complex and challenging to manage. How do private networks put enterprises in control of the complexity?
Stefan Mahr: I agree that connectivity has been difficult to manage for manufacturers and there is a clear need to get rid of wired connections and the legacy in order to have the robust connectivity that can support smart manufacturing. Regardless of whether it is for connecting a robot arm or every level of a production line, with 5G you get more control, a different level of security, improved capabilities, the ability to control quality of service (QoS) and zero downtime. Now, with the latest 5G Release 16 we have started on the road to ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) which will be super-critical for smart manufacturing.
GM: What is Thales’ role in supporting OEMs and manufacturers in their launches of private networks?
SM: When private networks are installed, typically the network equipment vendors are contacted first. Interestingly, we’re seeing ongoing discussions in Europe about the need to replace network components from certain manufacturers for security policy considerations.
While espionage is the most obvious concern, in fact even simpler methods could threaten the continuity of factory production. For example, if an embargo was placed against delivery of firmware updates or patches to apply political pressure – as Russia is currently doing with the delivery of gas.
Thales
These issues are even more important for network equipment in private networks in factories, as confidential data and knowhow must be protected and continuous long-term operation is required. Another important question for our customers is about who controls the firmware in the modules in the connected devices in a private network. The highest level of protection is required, but at the same time, there are needs for an access point for troubleshooting and optimisation.
As a leader in cybersecurity, Thales is often approached to provide these highly secured solutions which still are accessible remotely for diagnostics and software updates. For example, we’re involved in a trial with a Bavarian car manufacturer, where a private network at the production plant needs to be improved, to enable efficiencies as the vehicles move around the plant.
GM: How does Thales help OEMs and manufacturers optimise their private networks?
SM: Thousands of private networks will be created and people will need to maintain them. These networks will need to be set up and tested under real network conditions and information about the network needs to be provided securely. Besides modules for connectivity, we also provide equipment, services and embedded software features for enhanced diagnostics, to help set up and optimise a private network.
Many companies without experience in setting up and maintaining their own network, will need to quickly understand how to do this in a secure, stable way. An integration, testing and compliance phase is underway that is bringing new devices to the market and our role is to support customers in their adoption of private networks by taking away the complexity and making it easier for non-networking experts to manage their private networks.
We enable our customers to get real-life data from the network so they can perform systems and performance validation tests. It’s part of our support offering and forms a significant part of our comprehensive approach to providing OEMs and manufacturers with everything they need to simplify design, streamline development and accelerate time-to-market.
GM: There is a lot of talk about 5G but is it really the answer to the demands of IoT?
JS: In the first conversations we have about 5G, the focus is on practical reasons to use the technology. For a robot arm that used to require a cable connection which might break or make it hard for the arm to be relocated, replacing the cables has obvious benefits. Beyond that straightforward assessment there are many other possibilities and lots of opportunities in the background, such as use cases that rely on detailed positioning.
Improved control is the key benefit that manufacturers get with a private 5G network. You get to control the QoS and you get a far better idea of what is going on in your network.
SM: Our potential customers have a number of options. Wi-Fi might be impacted by non-exclusive use of frequencies, LPWAN is primarily designed for devices that need lower bandwidth, but 5G has some real advantages today, with more to come in the pipeline with upcoming releases.
Sahil Bahri: In terms of 5G, the network slicing part is compelling. Now is the time when public networks are starting to deploy Release 16 and that is providing improved security and control because you are either on a public network with a manufacturing slice or you’re on a private network and your parameters are all set by you so you can have improved QoS.
GM: Reliability is essential for mission critical IoT but also for long lifecycle use cases in which the business case relies on minimised physical maintenance and repair visits. At the same time, use cases that have to comply with industry regulations must be accommodated. How does Thales see these requirements being addressed?
SM: With our expertise in cybersecurity, we support well-protected designs of our customers by providing security enhanced cellular modules, services and security consulting. For example, recently, regulatory frameworks like the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) in the EU significantly increased cybersecurity requirements, to ensure network protection, protection of personal data and protection from fraud.
Today, there is a much bigger focus on security, when someone plans to deploy millions of connected devices, like smart meters, alarm systems or industrial gateway routers. Security is central to all our offerings for connectivity of critical assets.
JS: This aspect is crucial because Thales supports manufacturers who are supplying to critical infrastructure like smart meters. The manufacturers want to give devices a trusted ID to ensure they cannot be cloned and recognise that security starts at the point of manufacture – actually already during the design phase: Security by design is key here.
GM: Do you expect global standardisation to be driven by embedded and integrated SIM availability that enables single global products to be created rather than requiring regional variants?
JS: eSIM has the ability to solve challenges associated with trusted device identifiers, the security of devices and the inconvenience of having to handle plastic SIMs. We have our connectivity activation service that is making eSIM adoption simpler because it addresses the complexity of eSIM activation that is currently putting a brake on eSIM adoption.
We aim to make eSIM more accessible for industrial IoT by using the pull method, well known and already proven in the consumer space. This simplifies product complexity because all you will need is one stock-keeping unit (SKU), so there is just one product variant. We offer bootstrap connectivity so the device can be provisioned with the optimal connectivity provider at the point of deployment or before at the last stage of production.
SM: Consider a product such as a connected alarm system, that is sold in vast quantities and marketed across a broad geographical region. Previously, a local SIM would need to be inserted when the product is installed, adding cost to the solution. Alternatively, a SIM for a local provider could be embedded but this would mean creating numerous versions of the device for shipment to specific markets. Each device variant had its own SKU, creating logistics challenges.
Now, our IoT eSIM solution allows for the mobile network operator to be selected on-site at the point of deployment. This can even happen automatically with no physical interaction with the device needed. In this way, network operators can be changed remotely and resilient connectivity can be maintained over the entire lifetime of the IoT device.
Comment on this article below or via Twitter: @IoTNow_OR @jcIoTnow
