Bridge (Industrial Communication)

A bridge is an intelligent device that receives, processes, and transmits data from one network to another. These networks could be distinctly different, with dissimilar protocols, data rates, or even physical connectors. 

This device ensures that the data can pass through without any bottleneck. It also acts as a filter and allows only relevant data to cross over. 

The Diverse Roles of Bridges

Bridges come in various forms. All of them are designed to address different needs within the network. Here are some of the key roles bridges can play in industrial communications:

Protocol Bridges

A protocol bridge translates protocol A to protocol B.  For example, CoreTigo’s TigoBridge A1/B1/B2, may connect and convert from IO-Link to IO-Link Wireless. 

TigoBridge A2 can also connect to 2 Digital devices, converting them to IO-Link Wireless. With TigoConverter connected to the TigoBridge, it can also connect and convert from Analog to IO-Link Wireless.

This translation is not a simple task. It involves a deep understanding of the data structures, error checking, and the timing requirements of each protocol. Yet, it’s invaluable in ensuring that machines ‘understand’ each other despite these differences.

LAN/WAN Bridges

With the geographic expansion of industries, sometimes it’s not just about the language, but also the physical distance that networked devices need to communicate across.

LANs (Local Area Networks) are designed to cover a relatively small area. However, sometimes data needs to travel huge distances. That’s where the WAN (Wide Area Network) bridges come in.

These bridges employ different communication media, such as satellite links or fiber optics, to extend the network’s reach. 

Media Bridges

Communication networks can be intricate meshes of various media for data transmission—some data travels via wires (copper or fiber), and some through the air (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Radio, etc.). 

When one part of the industrial network relies on one communication medium and another on a different one, a media bridge comes into play, It houses various converters and transceivers to make the transition as smooth as possible. The goal is always to minimize data loss and latency, which could be detrimental in the case of critical control systems.

Real-time Bridges

For certain industrial applications, delays in data transmission are not just frustrating but outright dangerous. Real-time bridges ensure that data is delivered within a guaranteed time, every time, no matter the network load. 

These are common in time-sensitive operations, such as environmental monitoring or control systems.

The Future of Bridges in Industry 4.0

Bridges in Industry 4.0 are no longer just about connecting. They are becoming smarter, integrating machine learning and adaptive algorithms to predict network behavior and pre-emptively adjust data traffic to avoid downtime.

As the cloud is extending its influence over industrial communications, the bridges are adapting quickly. Cloud-ready bridges act as gateways to cloud storage and analytics. This can provide unprecedented insights into the manufacturing process, surpassing the capabilities of on-site data processing.