The world of technology is in a constant state of flux, and the Internet of Things (IoT) is no exception. Today, &ldquo;IoT&rdquo; no longer refers to simple machines &ldquo;just talking&rdquo; to each other as it once was. Rather, modern IoT devices, or &ldquo;Connected Devices,&rdquo; are much smarter. They are now mostly Linux-based devices, such as connected mobility, connected robots, connected trackers, connected street lights, and connected payment devices that require continuous and ubiquitous connectivity. Before we dive into what this connectivity looks like today and how we came to design it the way we did, let&rsquo;s briefly look at the past.&nbsp;<h2>The Early Days: IoT Devices with Limited Connectivity</h2>IoT devices used to be primarily designed to serve specific functions, such as monitoring environmental conditions, optimizing energy usage, or tracking inventory. These devices were often constrained by limited processing power and connectivity options.While these IoT devices were groundbreaking for their time, they came with several limitations. As cost considerations often took precedence over user experience, manufacturers&rsquo; goals were to produce high quantities of these devices with basic functionality. The connectivity needs were confined to localized networks, such as Bluetooth and WiFi. &nbsp;Today, we can all agree that the promise of a boom of endless IoTs everywhere has fallen short of expectations.&nbsp;<h2>The Evolution: From Limited IoT Devices to Connected Devices</h2>Fast forward to the present, and we see sophisticated machines have transcended their previous limitations and can operate with advanced features like real-time precise tracking, AI/ML capabilities, log storage, and continuous firmware updates. Because of the software component of the way they are connected (more on that later), they are able to prioritize the user experience and cyber posture, allowing them to truly enrich the way we work, the way we travel, the way we consume, and the way we live. We refer to these as &ldquo;Connected Devices&rdquo;, not just &ldquo;IoT&rdquo;.<img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://monogoto.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CEO-Series-Part-1-graph_Revised.png" alt="" width="728" height="893" srcset="https://monogoto.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CEO-Series-Part-1-graph_Revised.png 728w, https://monogoto.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CEO-Series-Part-1-graph_Revised-245x300.png 245w" sizes="(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px" class="fr-fic fr-dii">&nbsp;<h2>The Turning Point</h2>The evolution of IoT from its humble beginnings to the realm of sophisticated Connected Devices marks a significant milestone in technology&rsquo;s progress. Calling these devices &ldquo;IoT&rdquo; doesn&rsquo;t do justice to them, or to their developers.&nbsp;These teams require tools and technologies that conform to &ldquo;cloud best practices,&rdquo; allowing the product owner to deliver the best experience and value to their customers. For example, they continuously:<ul><li>Deploy software updates to their globally-deployed devices;</li><li>Use Network Capturing tools or log extraction for debugging;</li><li>Rely on Deep Packet Inspection or Data Leak Prevention for cyber posture;</li><li>Use Geolocation routing for compliance (GDPR for example).</li></ul>&nbsp;<h3>Key Takeaways</h3>It&rsquo;s time for a whole new connectivity narrative. Connectivity depends on context, as it offers versatility and flexibility, and serves multiple purposes across different stages of the product life cycle, for both legacy and modern businesses. What&rsquo;s really new is that it:<ul><li>Leverages advanced cellular network capabilities, public networks/private LTE/5G, and satellite, enabling enterprises to ensure their devices are continuously and seamlessly connected in the most reliable way.&nbsp;</li><li>Prioritizes user experience, control, and ease of management across devices.</li><li>Adheres to the most advanced cybersecurity requirements, both in terms of being able to enforce policies based on geographic location and react to real-time events, for example, automatically blocking traffic in response to abnormal behavior or Geolocation routing for GDPR compliance.</li></ul>It&rsquo;s a brand-new connected world. Entire industries are reinventing themselves. Leading enterprises are transforming their products by connecting them. New technologies such as Software-Defined Connectivity (SDC) are taking this revolution further, allowing everyone to consume connectivity just the way AWS transformed the way computing is consumed. Time is saved, money is saved, productivity is boosted, and better and more sophisticated Connected Devices are introduced to the market.All of this is made possible by a new type of connectivity Connected Devices rely on. More on that in the next blog&hellip;

The world of technology is in a constant state of flux, and the Internet of Things (IoT) is no exception. 

The Rise of Connected Devices: Redefining the Internet of Things (IoT)

Near ubiquitous wireless tech is making everyday life simpler, safer, and healthier for billions. And as ambitious developers take advantage of evolving technologies, connected devices with smaller form factors will do even more using even less power. But this brave new world hasn&rsquo;t happened overnight.A pivotable moment in the remarkable rise of wireless innovation can be traced back a quarter of a century to the emergence of Bluetooth &ndash; an interoperable protocol that became a standard, accompanied by an open specification for both hardware and software. In its various forms, Bluetooth has powered a significant segment of the connected world ever since.<h2>Changing the game with Bluetooth LE</h2>The release of the original Bluetooth Classic standard drove impressive growth. Still, the introduction in 2010 of a low-energy version, Bluetooth Low Energy&nbsp;(<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Bluetooth-Low-Energy?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bluetooth LE</a>), dramatically expanded the technology&rsquo;s range of applications. The development of Bluetooth LE was pushed along by partners, including Nordic Semiconductor &ndash; at the time, a company already renowned as a pioneer in ultra-low power, high-performance wireless connectivity.Bluetooth LE was a game changer because its ultra-low power consumption meant data could be gathered from sensors without requiring frequent battery recharge or replacement. And because handset makers were familiar with the original Bluetooth tech, they rapidly adopted support for the low-power version in their new mobiles.This was the catalyst for a huge market in &ldquo;appcessories&rdquo;, wirelessly linked peripheral devices such as fitness bands that were able to leverage the smartphone&rsquo;s computational horsepower. Today&rsquo;s highly-advanced wearables represent just the latest chapter in that story.<h2>Planet Bluetooth expands</h2>The expansion of &lsquo;Planet Bluetooth&rsquo; has been due to both constant enhancements to the Bluetooth Core Specification&mdash;the technical name for the document that details how to build Bluetooth devices&mdash;and the powerful Bluetooth SoCs with their associated application software that power increasingly sophisticated applications.For example, the introduction of Bluetooth 5 in mid-2016 added some key capabilities to Bluetooth tech&mdash;notably increased range or higher data throughput&mdash;which helped improve functionality across a gamut of wireless applications from smart watches to smart agriculture.The July 2017 release of the Bluetooth mesh 1.0 specification&mdash;as the name suggests, a mesh networking technology&mdash;provided vital functionality for applications in smart lighting, predictive maintenance, asset tracking, and locationing, among others.In 2019, a further update to the Bluetooth Specification, Bluetooth 5.1, brought another powerful application of the technology to the fore &ndash; Direction Finding, a feature that opens up new possibilities for accurate indoor positioning of both assets and people.In the lucrative audio market, LE Audio is described as the &lsquo;future of wireless sound&rsquo; and now allows engineers to enhance both the sound quality and power consumption of wireless audio products. The Bluetooth SIG says that in 2022, 1.36 billion Bluetooth audio streaming devices&mdash;including headsets, headphones, speakers, and earbuds &ndash; were shipped globally. An even more recent development, Auracast broadcast radio, is set to reshape audio sharing.<h2>Bluetooth cements its place in the smart home</h2>Bluetooth is also the wireless tech of choice for commissioning smart home devices. While smart home device manufacturers can select from several low-power wireless protocols, Bluetooth&#39;s unique advantage is its interoperability with smartphones and tablets. And with its inclusion in Matter, Bluetooth tech&#39;s place in the smart home is now cemented.Thanks to these applications and many others, Bluetooth chips are used in their billions. And further growth is forecast. According to the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), 2023 will see the shipment of 5.4 billion Bluetooth devices &ndash; a figure expected to climb to 7.6 billion by 2027.<h2>Pioneer becomes leader</h2>Nordic&rsquo;s decision to back the Bluetooth LE open standard&mdash;just as it has with <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Low-power-cellular-IoT?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cellular IoT</a>, <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/DECT-NR?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DECT NR+</a>, and <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/WiFi?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wi-Fi</a> in more recent times&mdash;meant ceding much of its hard-won intellectual property (IP) to others. But such a decision proved a masterstroke; Nordic&#39;s chip shipments made it the global market leader when the low-power wireless segment exploded.Today, Nordic&rsquo;s award-winning, high-performance, yet easy to design-in Bluetooth LE solutions are used by the world&rsquo;s leading brands in myriad products from sports and fitness to industrial automation and education.According to Bluetooth SIG data compiled by DNB Markets, Nordic had a market share of 39 percent of new design certifications in the Bluetooth LE market in 2021. And a total of more than 1,100 new designs were certified in 2022, of which 446 had Nordic inside.Through successive product introductions, Nordic&#39;s chips have continually evolved in performance&mdash;primarily based on the use of more advanced semiconductor manufacturing tech, more generous memory, greater processing power, and highly-refined software. Each new generation has allowed developers to push the boundaries of innovation without making major sacrifices in power consumption.<h2>Applications once unimagined</h2>Like the capability of its products, the performance of applications enabled by Nordic&#39;s low-power wireless tech continues to improve. Two prominent examples include a high-end health monitoring wearable launched by U.S.-based human performance company <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/News/2022/07/The-WHOOP-4-uses-Nordics-nRF52840-SoC?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">WHOOP</a> and China-based OctoNet&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/News/2023/05/OctoNet-Bluetooth-positioning-gateway-employs-nRF52840-and-nRF52833-SoCs?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bluetooth positioning gateway</a>, which uses the <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/products/nrf52833?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">nRF52833</a> SoC&rsquo;s direction-finding capabilities to keep track of high-value hospital equipment and the whereabouts of staff in hospitals.The list of similarly advanced applications employing Nordic-enabled Bluetooth LE wireless connectivity is extensive. And as Bluetooth continues to spread and evolve, engineers using the omnipresent tech will keep coming up with applications once unimagined. The most recent update is Bluetooth 5.4, which includes enhancements that enable connectionless, bidirectional, secure communication with thousands of very low-power end nodes in a star topology network. Such a topology suits applications such as electronic shelf labels.Bluetooth LE technology has become synonymous with the connected lifestyle across the globe. Whether a dedicated athlete, an intrepid adventurer, a patient with an acute medical condition, or simply a typical consumer in the developed world, we&rsquo;re all citizens of Planet Bluetooth.<hr>This article was first published on Nordic&#39;s&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.nordicsemi.com/getconnected" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" id="isPasted"></a><a href="https://blog.nordicsemi.com/getconnected?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Get Connected Blog</a>. &nbsp;

A pivotable moment in the remarkable rise of wireless innovation can be traced back a quarter of a century to the emergence of Bluetooth – an interoperable protocol that became a standard, accompanied by an open specification for both hardware and software. In its various forms, Bluetooth has powered a significant segment of the connected world ever since.

The rise and rise of Bluetooth

<div data-id="be109c3" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="theme-post-content.default" id="isPasted">LoRaWAN or Cellular Connectivity?This is every developer&rsquo;s first question when considering a new IoT device or use case. LoRa technology has a lot of advantages&mdash;it offers low-power, wide-area network connectivity on an unlicensed spectrum at a low cost for both the device and the connectivity.On the downside, LoRa can only cope with low volumes of traffic. It&rsquo;s a crowded spectrum, which can make it noisy, and, in most cases, the user needs to build their own network. These downsides are easily manageable in small areas&mdash;for instance, a farm with water-monitoring sensors or a warehouse tracking refrigeration status. But when the use case requires more data, more mobility, or more scale, LoRa becomes a problem. Even with companies like Helium using blockchain to build wider LoRa networks, with over 1mn endpoints or gateways, the coverage and reliability at scale aren&rsquo;t there.&nbsp;Low-power cellular connectivity, dominated by CAT-M and NB-IoT protocols are cellular options that have been very successful, facilitated by most mobile operators. The cellular chip is higher than the LoRa chip. Traditionally connectivity cost is higher than deploying a LoRaWAN network.When a company wants to deploy a global solution, there is friction involved in getting a contract in each country. Monogoto removes the need for complex, expensive negotiations and contracts with multiple operators. However, cellular coverage has dead zones, particularly in large countries where the result is that devices aren&rsquo;t always tracked and monitored.&nbsp;&nbsp;This challenge is why we are so excited to partner with RAKwireless to create a module that comes prepared to offer both LoRa and cellular connectivity.By having both, developers have options, and we can facilitate a wider range of use cases, more coverage, and, of course, enhanced reliability of coverage.Combined LoRaWAN and cellular devices lower the barrier for developers considering connectivity options when designing new apps, giving them the space to focus on what they do best&mdash;be innovative and create new killer apps and solutions.&nbsp;Rather than having to make a decision today that has long-term implications for usability and cost without any flexibility, developers can choose their preferred connectivity today, and then future-proof it and enhance it with a second connectivity option that can be accessed when necessary on an ad-hoc basis or when the need changes. This is future-proofing and flexibility at its best.&nbsp;&nbsp;At Monogoto, we love developers.We want to give them the room to do what they do best&mdash;design new and exciting use cases for IoT devices that improve customer experiences, efficiencies, safety, cost savings, and more. Our partnership with RAKwireless to create devices that enable both LoRa and cellular connectivity is one step toward making this a reality.So, what will be the next &ldquo;killer app&rdquo; using a device that incorporates both LoRaWAN and CAT-M connectivity? I&rsquo;m not a developer, but I think scooter companies will leap at this. They need to deploy in cities, which are great candidates for LoRa networks.&nbsp;To date, no smart scooter company has been confident enough to deploy a LoRa solution&nbsp;despite its obvious benefits, because the coverage has been unreliable. Instead, they have been using cellular connectivity.&nbsp;However, with our new devices, they can add LoRa as an option, which will lower their overall connectivity costs, increase the stability of their connectivity, and ultimately enhance the experience for their customers. I can&rsquo;t wait to see what they come up with. &nbsp;</div><div data-id="1fd13d7" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="author-box.default">By Maor Efrati&nbsp;<a href="mailto:maor@monogoto.io" target="_blank">maor@monogoto.io</a></div>

LoRaWAN® and cellular connectivity have largely been pitted against each other with developers having to decide between one or the other when designing new IoT use cases. Monogoto’s ethos is all about facilitating developer creativity and innovation, which has driven our new partnership with RAKwireless to offer a solution that incorporates both. We believe developers really can, and should, have the best of both worlds. 

LoRaWAN® and Low-power Cellular Connectivity Can They Co-exist?

The McKinsey Global Institute, an economics research firm, has estimated that by 2030 the IoT could enable $5.5 trillion to $12.6 trillion in value globally, including the value captured by consumers and customers of IoT products and services.However, from where we are today to the IoT of 2030 is not a straightforward path. The wireless tech underpinning the IoT is complex to build, deploy, and maintain. But with the introduction of a new end-to-end solution, Nordic is making it easier and quicker to bring a <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Low-power-cellular-IoT?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cellular IoT</a> end-product to market and support its implementation.<h2>Dealing with cellular IoT and a fragmented supply chain</h2>Such support is needed because, previously, many companies struggled to adopt cellular IoT due to the engineering difficulties presented by chipsets based on stripped-down mobile handset technology. Because these chipsets weren&rsquo;t designed specifically for cellular IoT, they were clunky and offered poor battery life, and less-than-robust connectivity.The problem was made worse when the hardware was packaged into modules from a second vendor and used firmware from a third. The customer became confused as to where to turn for engineering tools and technical support for their cellular IoT development. And if that wasn&rsquo;t enough, things were made more complicated by the requirement to engage a cloud services provider to look after IoT products in the field.At each step of the chain, the developer potentially had to deal with a different company that often had little or no interest in making sure its technology worked well with other parts of the system. That left it down to the designer to spend time solving gritty technical issues instead of focusing on enhancing their application.<h2>A different approach</h2>Nordic&rsquo;s approach to wireless has always been to abstract the complexity away from the underlying technology so the developer is freed to use the connectivity to build novel applications. By making wireless tech easier to design with, developers are relieved of the tricky RF engineering and software protocol challenges. That enables them to focus on the application and its associated software, accelerating time-to-market, and generally making for a better end-product.With product families such as Nordic&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Bluetooth-Low-Energy?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bluetooth LE</a> SoCs (the nRF52, nRF53 and nRF54 Series) the strategy of simplifying design and deployment extends to offering an end-to-end solution. Customers can access silicon, firmware, development tools, and modules (through Nordic solution partners) from a single supplier, safe in the knowledge that everything will work in harmony. And if engineering challenges do arise with the end-product, Nordic is on hand to offer comprehensive and expert technical support.<h2>Extending the end-to-end approach to cellular IoT</h2>Cellular IoT is the market leading LPWAN for secure and reliable long range connectivity. According to analyst Statista, the cellular IoT technologies, NB-IoT and LTE-M, make up 47 percent of the LPWAN market, with LoRa contributing 41 percent. Nordic has now extended its pioneering end-to-end approach to cellular IoT and <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/DECT-NR?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DECT NR+</a> (&ldquo;NR+&rdquo;).That makes the company the first to offer a fully inclusive, world-class, massive IoT solution. Nordic&rsquo;s offering brings simplicity, stability, and cost efficiency to cellular IoT design, manufacture, and deployment. Developers can access SiPs, software, and services designed and supplied by a single company. That will help them save considerable time, money, engineering resources, and frustration from dealing with traditional fragmented supply chains.<h2>Cellular IoT &ndash; from prototyping to the market and beyond</h2>The cellular IoT solution hardware is based on two new nRF91 Series products, the <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF9161?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">nRF9161</a> and the <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF9131?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">nRF9131</a>. The plan is for the nRF9161&nbsp;to be a globally precertified SiP. That will make it possible to use a single device to select either cellular IoT, or NR+ for massive, ultra-reliable private 5G networking. The nRF9131 SiP is a feature-compatible alternative to the nRF9161, measuring half the size and offering greater flexibility in design and sourcing for high-volume businesses.New SiPs are developed through Nordic&#39;s unified and scalable <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Development-software/nRF-Connect-SDK?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">nRF Connect SDK</a>. The nRF Connect for Desktop software also offers unique cellular IoT tools for optimizing power consumption and evaluating, monitoring, and debugging network connectivity.Deployed customer end-devices based on the new SiPs can optionally be supported by Nordic&rsquo;s<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Cloud-services?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> nRF Cloud</a>, which brings lower power, higher security, and flexibility to IoT device management. nRF Cloud offers a connectivity platform and cloud services solution from onboarding to decommissioning. Two new sets of services, nRF Cloud Security Services and nRF Cloud Device Management offer secure remote provisioning, cryptographic identity authentication, device state monitoring, and protocol-agnostic connectivity options. Nordic&rsquo;s SiPs also combine well with other Cloud management services.<h2>Building the cellular IoT foundation</h2>Designing and implementing cellular IoT applications is never likely to be trivial. But by offering an end-to-end solution, Nordic has made things easier. And with the company&rsquo;s nRF9161 and nRF9131, customers can take advantage of high-performance, low-power consumption cellular IoT solutions certified for global use.If the IoT is to reach the potential forecast by McKinsey, it will need a comprehensively engineered foundation. By introducing end-to-end support for cellular IoT, Nordic is among the leaders in helping its customers build strong IoT foundations that will last.<hr>This article was first published on Nordic&#39;s <a href="https://blog.nordicsemi.com/getconnected" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" id="isPasted"></a><a href="https://blog.nordicsemi.com/getconnected?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Get Connected Blog</a>. &nbsp;

The wireless tech underpinning the IoT is complex to build, deploy, and maintain. But with the introduction of a new end-to-end solution, Nordic is making it easier and quicker to bring a cellular IoT end-product to market and support its implementation.

Making cellular IoT deployment easier

This article was discussed in our <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte&source=gmail&ust=1672821999265000&usg=AOvVaw3lLKdHdEN0YvCEsaHI7hx9" href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Next Byte podcast</a>.&nbsp;<iframe height="200px" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/35985fc0-4a6b-464d-913b-749020b6cf0a?dark=false" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe> The full article will continue below.<hr>Sitting more than a kilometer below the antenna that tops the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall in the United Arab Emirates is an impressive edifice. The world&rsquo;s largest shopping mall boasts more than 1,200 stores spread over four floors across more than half a million square meters. It&rsquo;s an unabashed monument to retail hedonism. Should you tire of shopping, it also offers an underwater zoo, ice rink, cinema complex, and more than 200 cafes and restaurants. Three years after it opened, it was the most visited building on the planet, attracting 54 million visitors in 2011.It is proof &ndash; were proof needed &ndash; that bricks and mortar retail is alive and well. Despite the surge in e-commerce both before and during the pandemic, physical retail still dominates, with $4 trillion passing through U.S. cash registers alone each year. By comparison, online sales are around $1 trillion. Not that the future of retail is offline or online, it&rsquo;s both, but the key to success for physical retail in the digital age is to enhance the customer experience and maximize profits simultaneously. To do so, retailers are embracing wireless technology like never before.<h2>Connectivity across the retail value chain</h2>In the first instance, this has meant <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/News/2020/10/Damage-Control?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">tracking goods across the entire retail value chain</a> in near real-time, from production to warehouse to customer. Access to this data helps retailers get products to the consumer faster and mitigates losses due to damage, spoilage, misplacement, or theft.For example, wireless sensors, connected networks, location services, and machine learning (ML) are now commonplace in warehouses to improve the visibility of items that must be picked and shipped for just-in-time delivery to the customer or store. In transit, Bluetooth LE-powered devices with thermocouples and accelerometers can be placed in refrigerated and fragile cargoes to monitor and record temperatures and impacts.These solutions can ensure cold chain deliveries remain within temperature tolerances and allow rapid remedial action if they aren&#39;t. When paired with cellular IoT technology, data can be sent directly to the cloud, allowing remote monitoring without needing a smartphone or gateway and enabling a more holistic view of an entire supply chain through web-based logistics platforms.<h2>Digital connectivity</h2>Shops themselves are also turning digital as retailers increasingly respond to the demands of today&rsquo;s tech-savvy consumer and their smartphones. If you have ever consulted your smartphone in a store to compare pricing, check the specific details of a product, or read reviews, you are in good company. We all do, and in the case of pricing, retailers know that if you find the same item cheaper online or anywhere else, they&rsquo;ve probably lost a sale. Dynamic pricing allows retailers to adjust pricing based on stock levels, demand, and market conditions. Previously that meant laboriously changing price labels, but wireless technology has eliminated the labor required to do so and made the process near instantaneous.Smart shelf labeling systems enable retailers to automatically update individual shelf price labels from a central point across multiple stores and branches&mdash;or in certain geographic locations&mdash;at the touch of a button. Comprised of a cloud platform, gateways, and <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/News/2021/11/Minew-ESL-uses-nRF52832-and-nRF52810-SoCs?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bluetooth LE-powered shelf labels</a>, pricing commands can be sent wirelessly from a web-based dashboard to store-located gateways, from which point commands are relayed to the smart labels using Bluetooth connectivity.The smart labels can also be used as beacons for marketing to consumers in close proximity via compatible smartphone apps and for reporting back to the gateway and the cloud platform, allowing retailers to remotely monitor and manage their stock and the precise positioning of products on store shelves. The technology is garnering interest at the apex of the retail food chain, with U.S. retail giant Walmart entering an agreement to roll out 60 million digital shelf labels across 500 locations over the next 12 to 18 months, leveraging the <a href="https://www.bluetooth.com/learn-about-bluetooth/use-cases/electronic-shelf-labels/?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bluetooth Special Interest Group&rsquo;s (SIG) new standard for ESL</a>.Wireless tech is also helping keep shelves full. Rather than relying on an army of stackers to constantly monitor shelf inventory, tech-savvy retailers are now deploying Wi-Fi-connected shelf cameras and cellular IoT-based remote monitoring to ensure shelves and products remain well stocked. Combined with cloud-based AI models to identify space, staff can focus on replenishing shelves only when required.<h2>Connected maintenance and monitoring</h2>Beyond pricing, stock management, and customer engagement, wireless technologies are now deployed for safety and maintenance monitoring across retail settings beyond pricing, stock management, and customer engagement. A faulty or broken refrigerator in a supermarket could result in thousands of dollars of spoiled stock, or worse, cause a foodborne illness in a customer that could result in a hefty fine and reputational damage. Wireless IoT solutions can mitigate against such risks by <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/News/2022/10/Stratosfys-Tempgenie-employs-nRF52840-SoC?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">automating previously manual temperature measurements</a> and providing an early warning system in the event of food inventory spoilage, or for example, notifying a retailer <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/News/2022/04/SECO-Energy-Sensor-transmits-data-to-the-Cloud-using-the-nRF9160-SiP?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">if a chiller or freezer requires maintenance</a>.One of the most promising communication infrastructures that can be leveraged for maintenance and monitoring is <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/News/2020/02/Zenatix-and-Nordic-powered-OpenThread-mesh-solution-enables-smart-control?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Thread</a>, where IPv6 sensors can be added to create a mesh network to collect data from different parts of a shop. Every mains-powered device in a Thread network extends its coverage and resilience by forming the mesh topology, and it&#39;s designed to support low-power devices such as battery-powered and sensor-based retail applications.Existing lighting infrastructure is the perfect conduit for introducing connectivity and sensors to a Thread or Bluetooth mesh network. Not only can it enable condition monitoring and predictive maintenance, but it can also be used to optimize HVAC and the lighting itself. Lighting infrastructure can host occupancy or presence sensors, adjusting lighting based on the number of people in parts of the store. The sensors can also be used to track the movement of people throughout the store, creating heatmaps to help retailers understand where customers spend the most time to optimize store layout.Other wireless technologies suited to the retail environment range from the proven (Bluetooth Direction Finding enabling in-store wayfinding) to emerging (LE Audio and Auracast broadcast audio for one-to-one or counter-based assistive listening applications). What all the technologies share is their ability to deliver a win-win for both retailer and consumer, driving sales opportunities and providing value-added convenience.<hr id="isPasted">This article was first published on Nordic&#39;s <a href="https://blog.nordicsemi.com/getconnected" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"></a><a href="https://blog.nordicsemi.com/getconnected?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Get Connected Blog</a>. &nbsp;

Not that the future of retail is offline or online, it’s both, but the key to success for physical retail in the digital age is to enhance the customer experience and maximize profits simultaneously. To do so, retailers are embracing wireless technology like never before.

Reinventing retail in the connectivity age

<div data-id="be109c3" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="theme-post-content.default" id="isPasted">Written by Laurens SlatsVPNs are, in many ways, adding the &lsquo;S&rsquo; for Security to IoTAs we navigate our way into an increasingly digital realm, the Internet of Things continues to revolutionize how we monitor our environments, control our surroundings and increase efficiency in everyday life. As our reliance on IoT grows, so does our need for secure communication. In this article, we will look into the possible design of a secure IoT application using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).&nbsp;<h3>How is my data being routed?</h3>When designing the security implementations of an IoT application is it essential to know how data is being routed. Understanding the journey of your data helps you craft an IoT security strategy that can effectively safeguard your data.IoT data typically originates from a device, travels to a base station, then onto the core network of a Mobile (Virtual) Network Operator. Finally, data is routed to a server endpoint for storage and processing.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjkxMzE2MjI1NjM0LVNFQ1VSSVRZIE9WRVJWSUVXLmpwZWciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 582px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">IoT Device: Communication is often initiated from the end device which spends most of its life in deep-sleep mode to conserve energy. It only wakes up to inform the server about its latest sensor readings or state changes. These devices have a cellular module and a SIM card to authenticate and connect with the cellular network. The device transmits data over the air which is referred to as the radio layer.Base Station: Devices connect to a specific cell tower, also known as a base station. Base stations demodulate the radio signals and send data over the so-called S1 Interface to the core network of the device&rsquo;s mobile operator. Base stations review the device&rsquo;s APN configurations to determine the destination of the data.Core Network: The core network is responsible for handling functions like user authentication, mobility management, and IP (Internet Protocol) address assignment. It also routes data to its intended destination via the public Internet.Server: The ultimate destination: the server. The server could be a cloud-based platform or an on-premises private server, for example, hosted in a trusted AWS or Azure domain. Here, the data is stored, processed, and analyzed.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>VPNs in IoT</h2>Let&rsquo;s dive into the role of VPNs in IoT security.Think of an IoT data packet as a postcard traveling through a mail system. Just like a postcard, data sent over the internet is visible to anyone handling the message if not properly secured. A VPN acts like an envelope, providing a secure wrapper around the message to hide the contents, and ensuring that it can&rsquo;t be read while in transit as it uses private mailboxes inaccessible to the public.Although VPN clients can be installed on the end device directly, VPNs are commonly used to secure traffic from the core network, up to a private server. This secure connection between two endpoints is what is called a VPN tunnel.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjkxMzE2MjcwNzU4LVNFQ1VSSVRZIE9WRVJWSUVXIFZQTi5qcGVnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 708px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Secure tunnel The VPN tunnel is created to connect two IP endpoints, e.g. the Core Network and a private server running in AWS or Azure. This secure tunnel allows data to be transferred through the public internet, without intermediate parties being able to read what&rsquo;s sent through it. Imagine each data packet being encapsulated in a new message which hides the content of the original message and can only be delivered to one specific postbox. Once delivered at the end of the tunnel (the private server), the data gets decapsulated and the original message is delivered.Hidden IP address The encapsulation of the original message not only hides the content of the message but also masks the IP addresses of the original sender and receiver. If the message would get intercepted, only the IP addresses of the VPN tunnel&rsquo;s endpoints would be shown, not the actual ones.Additional encryption A nice add-on that comes with all VPN services is the additional layer of encryption. VPNs not only create a tunnel between two endpoints, they also encrypt the payload to further protect their content (for example using the IPSec protocol).&nbsp;<h3>What is the required level of security?</h3>Not all data is equal. Some data is highly sensitive, such as personally identifiable information or healthcare data, and requires robust security measures. Other data might be less sensitive but still requires protection to ensure data integrity and authenticity.When designing the architecture of an IoT application, security needs to be designed from the device, up to the server. Depending on the security needs, one or multiple redundant layers of protection can be implemented. This multi-layered approach &ndash; known as defense in depth&nbsp;&ndash; ensures ongoing protection even if one layer is compromisedBy default, cellular communication is secure from the IoT device up to the core network as per <a href="https://www.3gpp.org/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">3GPP</a> standards. This includes authentication (verifying the device&rsquo;s identity using AKA or EPS-AKA), radio layer encryption (protecting the data sent over radio waves using EEA algorithms), and a trusted S1 Interface (often using a method called IPSec).In addition, to ensure end-to-end security, many IoT applications adopt security protocols like DTLS or TLS which secure data traffic between the IoT device and the server.Now, where do VPNs fit into this IoT architecture? VPNs are often used as an additional security layer, though sometimes VPNs are used instead of DTLS/TLS as data is already secured from the device up to the core network.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjkxMzE2MzAzNDE4LVNFQ1VSSVRZIE9WRVJWSUVXIEJSRUFLRE9XTiBBTFQuanBlZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 676px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Possible security implementationThe design of your IoT application highly depends on the required level of security. Strategies like defense in depth can significantly enhance the security of IoT applications. However, more complex implementations may demand more resources and add complexity to the IoT solution as a whole.&nbsp;<h2>Monogoto ❤️ ️️VPN</h2>At Monogoto, we are fans of VPNs due to their simplicity and effectiveness in securing data. From the Monogoto Cloud, VPNs can be configured to private servers. The beauty lies in its easy setup &ndash; no device implementation is required which adds complexity and demands additional resources (power, memory, processing, bandwidth). All processes are handled by Monogoto, making the creation of a VPN tunnel a straightforward and happy journey.Instead of taking our word for it, we challenge you to try it out yourself. Gain first-hand experience in establishing a secure VPN connection from the Monogoto Core Network up to a private server. Find the instruction on how to set up VPNs with popular cloud platforms in our&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.monogoto.io/platform-manuals/platform/vpn-setup-examples" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">documentation</a>, or request support directly from our&nbsp;<a href="https://forum.monogoto.io/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">community portal</a>.&nbsp;<h2>P.S. There&rsquo;re more cloud-configurable security implementations</h2>Next to VPNs, Monogoto provides a set of cloud-configurable implementations to boost the security of your IoT application without adding complexity to your application.<ul><li>IMEI lock Bind your Monogoto SIM to a particular device, identified by its unique IMEI number. If the SIM were to be impersonated, it will never work on a device that doesn&rsquo;t match the locked IMEI. <a href="https://docs.monogoto.io/platform-manuals/platform/how-to-configure-device-limitation-by-imei/how-to-configure-thing-to-work-only-with-one-device-imei" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Learn more.</a></li><li>IP Security Profile Restrict incoming or outgoing data traffic to specific IP addresses and selected ports. IP Security Profiles create a list of trusted IP addresses and block all unwanted and potentially harmful traffic. <a href="https://docs.monogoto.io/platform-manuals/platform/how-to-configure-security-profiles/ip-security-profile" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Learn more.</a></li><li>Configure alerts Get notified about unusual activities on your SIM. Alerts can be configured for various scenarios which require attention. For example when a device moves, when the IMEI changes, when data consumption exceeds a predefined threshold, or when a device goes offline.</li></ul></div><div data-id="1fd13d7" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="author-box.default"> </div>

As we navigate our way into an increasingly digital realm, the Internet of Things continues to revolutionize how we monitor our environments, control our surroundings and increase efficiency in everyday life. As our reliance on IoT grows, so does our need for secure communication.

VPNs Add the S to IoT

<h2 id="isPasted">What is a PLC? Understanding the Basics</h2>PLC, which stand for Programmable logic controllers are industrial-scale devices with computing capabilities, which are used to control production processes in the context of assembly lines, robotic cells, industrial machinery, and other manufacturing settings [1]. They are used in processes like fault detection, high reliability, and programmable manufacturing control. PLCs operate in real-time as their inputs must be processed in very short timescales. The timeliness of their operation is always critical for successfully fulfilling their control purpose. &nbsp;The primary motivation behind the introduction of PLCs several decades ago was to replace hard-coded relay systems with more flexible programmable controllers. PLCs were first deployed in automotive production lines to provide increased automation and reliability in the control of industrial processes.PLCs do not look like conventional computers, as they have undergone a ruggedizing process in order to be hard-wearing and shock-resistant. &nbsp;There are various types of PLC, which vary in the number and type of their I/Os (Inputs/Outputs), their housing and packaging, as well as their capabilities to interact with other PLCs and <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/scada-meaning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="atomseo-link atomseo-link-internal atomseo-link-follow atomseo-link-highlighted atomseo-status-valid">SCADA systems</a>. These properties of PLCs determine their ability to operate in harsh industrial environments in ways that resist high temperatures and vibration while being immune to electric noise. &nbsp;The most common functionality of a PLC controller is similar to that of an electromechanical relay. Specifically, a PLC receives a set of discrete inputs and audits whether the input state is on or off. The operation is based on a “scan cycle”, which reads the PLC inputs, executes the programmable logic, and writes its outputs. In the scope of a PLC’s operation, these three steps are continually repeated as scan cycles are executed repeatedly. &nbsp;PLC programs implement a logical “AND” function over a series of inputs. Current is allowed to pass when all input bits are on. Likewise, they also implement a logical “OR” function over a set of inputs that are provided in parallel. In this case, current is allowed to pass if at least one input is on. In implementing these functions, PLCs apply a certain order in the evaluation of the logic functions. It is a strictly left-to-right and top-to-bottom execution, which is contrary to the less strict operation of legacy relays. There are also PLCs that implement more sophisticated functions (e.g., internal discrete logic functions) towards producing outputs that signal completion or some error.End-users (e.g., automation engineers) interact with PLCs to configure them, but also to receive alarms and notifications. To this end, PLCs provide human-machine interfaces (HMIs), including Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs). Common HMI controls include buttons, lights, textual displays, and touch screens. In the case of sophisticated installations, the PLC can connect to a Personal Computer, which provides more sophisticated and more ergonomic user interfaces.<h2 id="isPasted">Components of PLC&nbsp;</h2>A PLC consists of the following main components:&nbsp;<ul id="isPasted"><li>Power supply: It powers the various components of a PLC with DC voltage. To this end, the power supply converts the user’s line AC voltage (e.g., 120 volts in the US) to a lower DC voltage (e.g., 24 volts).</li><li id="isPasted">Processor: This is a solid-state device that implements industrial control functions in a manufacturing setting (e.g., production line, machine tool, robotics device), as well as other process control functions.</li><li id="isPasted">Input/Output (I/O): A PLC comprises various input and output modules. Input modules detect the state of input signals from various sources like push-buttons, switches, and various sensors. On the other hand, output modules are destined to control devices such as relays and lights.&nbsp;</li><li id="isPasted">Communication Modules and Protocols: A PLC’s communication modules facilitate the transfer of digital data between the PLCs and other devices of the industrial site. To enable this transfer, the communication modules implement one or more protocols, including both wireline and wireless protocols. A non-exhaustive list of industrial protocols used by PLCs includes EtherNet/IP, Profibus, Modbus, Interbus, ProfiNet, and more. PLC communication takes place through built-in ports on the device such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), Ethernet, RS-232, RS-485, and RS-422 ports. Using these ports PLCs communicate with software systems, external devices (e.g., <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/what-is-a-sensor-an-in-depth-exploration-and-comprehensive-guide-to-engineering-principles-and-applications" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="atomseo-link atomseo-link-external atomseo-link-follow atomseo-link-highlighted atomseo-status-redirect">sensors</a>, <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/what-is-an-actuator-principles-classification-and-applications" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="atomseo-link atomseo-link-internal atomseo-link-follow atomseo-link-highlighted atomseo-status-valid">actuators</a>), as well as other control systems like SCADA.</li><li id="isPasted">Redundancy: Non-trivial industrial grade PLC installations offer some sort of redundancy. Specifically, they comprise a shadow PLC system that is destined to replace a primary system in cases where the primary system goes out of order. To detect cases when the redundant system must be activated, PLCs implement a heartbeats mechanism.</li><li id="isPasted">PLC Programs: A key element of a PLC device is its control logic, which is programmed and reflected in specialized languages for <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/understanding-industrial-automation-a-comprehensive-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="atomseo-link atomseo-link-internal atomseo-link-follow atomseo-link-highlighted atomseo-status-valid">industrial automation</a> and electrical systems like Ladder Diagrams and Function Block Diagrams.</li></ul><h2 id="isPasted">PLC&nbsp;Programming - Ladder Logic and Ladder Diagram</h2>PLCs logic can be programmed in different languages, including high-level visual programming languages. One of the most popular visual programming languages for PLC control logic and configuration is Ladder Logic (LL), which is reflected on the ladder diagram (LD)[2]. Ladder Logic's main benefit is that it offers a visual interface, which significantly reduces the PLC programming learning curve. Furthermore, Ladder Logic and Ladder Diagrams are structured like electrical relay circuits, which makes it very easy for electromechanical engineers and industrial engineers to understand and use them. Likewise, familiarity with bit operators and Boolean logic facilitates understanding and using Ladder Logic.From a programming perspective, Ladder Logic expresses logic operations using symbolic notation. Hence, a Ladder Logic program comprises batches of mathematical logic in a symbolic location i.e., based on bit logic operation, which is structured like a ladder. That’s the reason and rationale behind the name “Ladder Logic”. The exact structure of Ladder Logic is dictated by the <a href="https://plcopen.org/" target="_blank" class="atomseo-link atomseo-link-external atomseo-link-follow atomseo-link-highlighted atomseo-status-valid">PLCOpen standard</a>, which makes it a standardized programming language. However, Ladder Logic was not invented for conventional programmers of high-level programming languages. Rather it was primarily designed for technicians, electricians, and electrical engineers that are familiar with electric signals. Therefore, <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/ladder-logic-symbols-a-comprehensive-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="atomseo-link atomseo-link-internal atomseo-link-follow atomseo-link-highlighted atomseo-status-valid">Ladder Logic symbols</a> look like electric signals such as contacts and relays. These symbols map to Boolean and symbolic logic in the context of a Ladder Logic program.&nbsp;Ladder Logic is the most popular PLC programming language, yet it is not the only way to program PLC. Other popular languages include Sequential Function Charts (SFC), Function Block Diagram (FBD), Structured Text (ST), and Instruction List (IL). These languages have conceptual and syntactical similarities to Ladder Logic while having a smooth learning curve for engineers and technicians that are familiar with electric concepts.<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjMxNTM5NzU1ODEzLVBMQ19MYWRkZXJfRGlhZ3JhbS0yLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Example of an Ladder Diagram for Ladder Logic Programming of a PLC">Example Ladder Diagram</div> <h2 id="isPasted">PLC Applications: Selecting a PLC for your Industrial Application</h2>Given the variety of available PLCs, industrial engineers have to go through a process of evaluating different devices towards selecting the best one for their tasks. To this end, they must review the requirements of their system and of the application where the PLC will be used. Likewise, information and requirements about the I/O capacity of the PLC must be collected, while the type of targeted outputs must be clarified. For instance, the electrical requirements of I/O modules must be documented, including input device voltage, output device voltage, and current. It is also important to identify whether the PLC should support special operations and advanced functions beyond simple discrete (On/off) logic.Another important aspect for the selection of a PLC relates to the memory and CPU (Central Processing Unit) of the PLC device. To determine CPU requirements, it is important to understand the speed of the industrial process or machine to be controlled. This involves identifying the fastest action needed, as well as the time criticality and the response time of the various operations. It is also necessary to factor in the communication requirements in the PLC selection process. Specifically, data sharing needs must be identified, along with the devices (e.g., computer, touch screen in a workstation) that must communicate with the PLC. In this way, any required communication devices (e.g., modems, cables) can be identified as well.The PLC selection process must also factor in the need for interacting with the operator via some interfaces like push buttons or LED (Light Emitting Diode) numeric displays. Specifically, the selected PLC must provide support for displaying the proper messages to the operator, along with any required alarms and notifications. Likewise, the operator should be provided with the means to input data in line with the needs of the application.The PLC selection process must also consider the physical environment where the automation device will be deployed. This is important for employing devices that have undergone proper ruggedization i.e., devices strong and resistant to shocks as imposed by the target environment at hand.&nbsp;Finally, there are also non-technical criteria that determine the selection decision, including the cost of the device and the quality of complementary services provided like training and post-sales support. The various criteria must be weighed against their relevant importance for the application at hand. This will drive the selection of products with proper modules, value-added programmability features, operator interfaces, and costs.Overall, PLCs are among the most popular devices used in industrial control applications. They are also expected to remain at the heart of industrial control in the era of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) [3]. However, the emerging Industry 4.0 applications will provide the means for driving the operation of PLCs in intelligent and data-driven ways. Specifically, PLCs operation in the Industry 4.0 will be driven not only by sensors and Cyber Physical devices but also by data analytics on the cloud. &nbsp;This holds the promise to improve the accuracy and intelligence of next-generation <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/understanding-industrial-automation-a-comprehensive-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="atomseo-link atomseo-link-internal atomseo-link-follow atomseo-link-highlighted atomseo-status-valid">industrial automation systems</a>. In this context, it makes perfect sense for younger engineers to learn more about PLCs and their operations.<hr><h2 id="isPasted">References</h2><ol><li>K. T. Erickson, "Programmable logic controllers," in IEEE Potentials, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 14-17, Feb. March 1996, doi: 10.1109/45.481370.</li><li>M. C. Zhou and E. Twiss, "Design of industrial automated systems via relay ladder logic programming and Petri nets," in IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Part C (Applications and Reviews), vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 137-150, Feb. 1998, doi: 10.1109/5326.661096.</li><li>M. Azarmipour, H. Elfaham, C. Gries and U. Epple, "PLC 4.0: A Control System for Industry 4.0," IECON 2019 - 45th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, 2019, pp. 5513-5518, doi: 10.1109/IECON.2019.8927026.</li></ol>

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