Micro and Nano Technologies (MNTS) In Industry 4.0 Communication Systems

Abstract

This paper presents some solutions used in communication systems of Industry 4.0 context that are based on micro- and nano-technologies. There is a significant need for miniaturized multifunctional components that can be incorporated within different system elements in an existing industrial production system, without altering the basic system function. A range of micro- and nano-devices have been studied to serve as the foundation for development and deployment of sensor network that simultaneously can provide some other functions, like sensing, actuation and/or energy harvesting. However, no high amount of such devices has been incorporated in real industrial systems so far. Big data in Industry 4.0 strongly relies on a possibility for real-time data collection, which is based on sensor network. Physical positioning of such network throughout the production facilities can be a very challenging task for companies. Advanced multifunctioning sensors are usually based on utilization of advanced materials very often incorporating micro- and/or nano-materials. Fiber-optic sensors are widely used and commercialized components used in quality control in civil engineering structures, quantitative chemical processes, health and safety monitoring of composite materials or structural health monitoring. Advantages of miniaturized fiber-optics sensors are: smaller size, lower power consumption, higher sensitivity and faster response.