BEIA512 

Module Name	Modern Industrial Communication Systems and Protocols
Module Code	BEIA512
Level	Five
Credits	15

Module Description and General Aims 

The objective in presenting this module is to provide students with detailed knowledge of communication systems and networks in industrial automation systems. Emphasis is placed on modern network architecture, industry protocols/standards and best practices. Use cases in modern industrial applications are discussed, to demonstrate how the learned concepts are implemented in practice. 

Learning Outcomes 

On successful completion of this Module, students are expected to be able to: 

1. Describe the OSI layer architecture and TCP/IP protocol suite. 
   Bloom’s Level 2 

2. Compare and contrast connection standards RS-232 and RS-485. 
   Bloom’s Level 4 

3. Compare and contrast industrial protocols for communications. 
   Bloom’s Level 4 

4. Design a wireless communication network. 
   Bloom’s Level 6 

5. Design a mobile communication network. 
   Bloom’s Level 6 

6. Examine the requirements and design an Industrial Internet of Things network. 

7. Bloom’s Level 4 and Level 6 

8. Evaluate the appropriateness of SCADA use cases in industrial applications. 

9. Bloom’s Level 5 

Student Assessment 

Assessment Type	When assessed	Weighting (% of total module marks)	Learning Outcomes Assessed
Assessment 1 Type: Multiple-choice quiz (Invigilated)	Due after Topic 4	10%	1, 2, 3
Assessment 2 Type: Mid-semester test (Invigilated) Description: Students will need to answer some short and/or long answer questions and/or solve some simple numerical problems.	Due after Topic 6	25%	1, 2, 3, 4
Assessment 3 Type: Practical Project (Report) Description: Students need to complete this practical project using a software and submit a written report.	Due after Topic 10	20%	4, 5, 6
Assessment 4 Type: Examination (Invigilated) Description: An examination with a mix of MCQs, theoretical short/detailed answer questions and/or numerical problems.	Final Week	40%	All
Tutorial Attendance & Participation            Description: Attendance, presentation, discussion, group work, exercises, self-assessment/reflection, case study analysis, application.	Continuous	5%	All

Overall Requirements: Students must achieve a result of 40% or above in the exam itself to pass the exam and must pass the exam to be able to pass the module. An overall final module score of 50% or above must be achieved to pass the module once all assessment, including the exam, has been completed. 

Prescribed and Recommended Readings  

Reference 

• S. Misra, A. Mukhejee and A. Roy, Introduction to IoT, 1^st edition, 2021 

• J. Kurose and K. Ross, Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, 8^th edition, 2021 

• Parziale, L, Britt, DT, Davis, C, Forrester, J, Liu, W, Matthews, C, Rosselot, N 2007, TCP/IP Tutorial and Technical Overview, 8th ed, IBM Redbooks, ISBN 0738494682. Online version available at: http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redbooks/pdfs/gg243376.pdf 

• Dietrich, R 2004, Industrial Ethernet – From the Office to the Machine – World Wide, HARTING Electric GmbH & Co. Online version available at: http://www.harting.com/fileadmin/harting/documents/lg/hartingusa/news/hotlink/harting_industrial_ethernet_handbook.pdf 

Notes and Reference texts 

• IDC notes and Reference texts as advised 

• Other material advised during the lectures 

• Knovel library: http://app.knovel.com 

Module Content  

One topic is delivered per contact week.  

Topic 1: Review of OSI Model and the TCP/IP Protocol Suite 

1. The Open System Interconnection (OSI) model 

2. The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP protocol suite) 

3. Protocol data units (PDUs), addressing schemes, TCP/IP layers functions and protocols 

Topic 2: Connection Standards 

1. RS-232 (connections, voltages levels, signal format, limitations, troubleshooting etc.) 

2. RS-485 (characteristics, voltage levels, termination, repeaters, troubleshooting) 

Topics 3 and 4: Industrial Protocols for Communications 

1. Modbus (characteristics, protocol stack, application data units, master-slave operation) 

2. Modbus TCP/IP (communication stack, headers, encapsulation, client server connection) 

3. Distributed Network Protocol 3 (characteristics, frame format, DNP message, Plus, Data Highway Plus, HART) 

4. MODBUS plus, Data Highway Plus, HART (media, physical and data link layers, architecture, frames, Medium Access Control) 

5. DeviceNet, PROFIBUS, Foundation Fieldbus H1 (media, physical and data link layers, architecture, frames, Medium Access Control) 

6. Third generation industrial protocols – Ethernet/IIP, Foundation Fieldbus HSE 

Topics 5 and 6: Wireless Communications and Networks 

1. Wireless fundamentals: frequency allocations, dB, modulation, spread spectrum, multiplexing 

2. Antennas: characteristics, dipoles, reflectors, wave energy 

3. Site surveys: path profiles, zone clearance, layout, fading 

4. IEEE802 standards: bridging, roaming, MAC, frames, selection 

Topics 7 and 8: Mobile Networks 

1. Cellular networks: principles and network architecture, 4G and 5G 

2. Principles of mobility managements: device mobility, roaming, routing for mobile device 

3. Mobility management in practice: 4G/5G, Mobile IP 

Topics 9 and 10: Industry 4.0/5.0 and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) 

1. Introduction to Industry 4.0/ 5.0 

2. IIoT architecture and key enabling technologies 

3. IIoT technical standards and frameworks 

4. Applications and case studies of IIoT 

Topic 11: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems 

1. SCADA: fundamentals, architecture, and connectivity technologies 

2. Modern SCADA with Industrial IoT 

3. International standards and SCADA use cases in industrial applications 

Topic 12: Project and Module Review 

In the final week, students will have an opportunity to review the contents covered so far. Opportunity will be provided for a review of student work and to clarify any outstanding issues. Instructors/facilitators may choose to cover a specialized topic if applicable to that cohort. 

Software/Hardware Used 

Software 

• Software:  

• Version: N/A 

• Instructions: N/A 

• Additional resources or files: N/A 

Hardware 

• N/A