Industrial Network and Communication Protocols Fundamentals

Industrial networking is important in industrial automation and process control. Industrial automation provides interconnection between devices (sensors, actuators, controllers, and PCs) and also enables communication between them. An industrial network differs from traditional communication, which allows communication between computers and their peripherals such as printers, scanners, and more. An industrial network is a powerful network that connects industrial automation and control devices (PLCs, HMIs, PCs, VFDs, transmitters, and more) and provides real-time monitoring, control, and data integrity in a harsh environment.

By reading this chapter, you should have a better understanding of industrial networks and the various topologies and communication media. You will learn about the basics of wireless networks and understand what 5G is. You will also learn about industrial network protocols, which are important for...