Application of IPv6 to Field Instruments level network and Virtual Wiring Technology

摘要

The changes in social environment, such as globalization of enterprise activities, depletion of natural resources, and eco-oriented movement will affect the structure of mass production. Control systems require flexibility and scalability in both size and function to adjust to the changes. Our goal is to free the systems from the controller-centric model where all field instruments must be accessed via controllers, as well as to achieve flexibility and scalability with the latest network technologies. The author proposes a virtual wiring technology, which consists of a network security mechanism and a plug-and-play mechanism. This technology can be applied to resource-limited devices such as field instruments. This paper describes our activities toward creating the virtual wiring technology.