R2C2 – Reconfigurable Real-time Communication for Cyber-Physical Systems of Systems

Existing communication solutions for industrial cyber-physical systems of systems especially with regard to real-time communication do not yet support the levels of fast, automatized reconfigurations for flexibility and resilience required in future. Additionally, the exchange of data and information between local automation networks and wide-area IT networks is based on many transitional layers and can be complex, slow and unreliable.

The main goals of R2C2 will be: 1) The application of software-defined networking concepts to create run-time reconfigurable real-time communication networks for flexible and resilient CPS. 2) To design and implement suitable mechanisms, interfaces, protocols for the transition between local real-time and (non-)real-time wide-area networks for simplified automation/IT integration and vertical and horizontal CPS integration across sites. 3) To leverage the rapid progress in artificial intelligence research in recent years and ensure and demonstrate the compatibility of the developed communication solution with future AI-based networking approaches. 4) To demonstrate the advantages of the targeted solution and evaluate its operational characteristics both for a manufacturing and a smart grid use case.

The results of this project will lay the groundwork for a highly innovative and advanced communication architecture for future flexible and connected manufacturing and energy systems. It will provide features to such cyber-physical systems of systems that go far beyond what is achievable using current solutions and technologies in terms of flexibility, resilience, range and manageability and help CPSoS adjust more quickly to dynamic system and environmental conditions as well as changing user demands.