Evaluation of ICT for Networked Control Systems of Latency-Critical Applications in Production

This paper evaluates information and communication technologies (ICT) for networked control systems (NCS) of latency-critical applications in production. Latency-critical applications in production (e.g. closed-loop control or motion control) are focused when optimizing production. However, data capturing of complex latency-critical applications is a challenge. Wired solutions hamper its flexibility. Wireless technologies, however, might lack capability to process data with required latencies and reliability. First, a morphology to characterize latency-critical applications is presented. Second, current ICT (e.g. 5G, LTE, WiFi) are typified. Third, ICT are clustered regarding their process and business potential to control latency-critical applications in production. Finally, the approach is validated with the use cases motion control, factory automation and automated guided vehicles.