Reference Architecture for Factory Automation using Edge Computing and Blockchain Technologies

Abstract

This chapter will introduce the reader to the FAR-EDGE Reference Architecture (RA): the conceptual framework that, in the scope of the FAR-EDGE project, was used as the blueprint for the proof-of-concept implementation of a novel edge computing platform for factory automation : the FAR-EDGE Platform. Such platform is going to prove edge computing’s potential to increase flexibility and lower costs, without compromising on production time and quality. The FAR-EDGE RA exploits best practices and lessons learned in similar contexts by the global community of system architects (e.g., Industrie 4.0, Industrial Internet Consortium) and provides a terse representation of concepts, roles, structure and behaviour of the system under analysis. Its unique approach to edge computing is centered on the use of distributed ledger technology (DLT) and smart contracts – better known under the collective label of Blockchain . The FAR-EDGE project is exploring the use of Blockchain as a key enabling technology for industrial automation, analytics and virtualization, with validation use cases executed in real-world environments that are briefly described at the end of the chapter.