3.2 Connectivity
One thing is to have measurements coming from a sensor, we also need to transmit
that data from the physical asset to the virtual environment.
Traditional approaches will include SCADA and wired networks with a historian
solution. Many players increasingly use variations of IoT boxes and standard mobile
networks such as wi-fi and to make the connection between automation and digital
environments while we are seeing mounting maturity of IoT network approaches in
different variations converging towards 5G [2].
In parallel, there are a lot of emerging solutions around Industrial IoT platforms
from most traditional industrial software players that make this connection between
the edge and digital platforms.
Whatever the solutions, usual complexities come from the interconnection of
multiple protocols originating in different worlds (automation vs IT vs telecom
mainly) and the variable interpretations of standards creating confusion and inconsistencies. Another major pitfall to avoid is in the translation and volumes of data in
different environments. The brutal reality of an analog sensor will usually overwhelm digital infrastructures to make the right conversions and simplifications at the
right time in the process is critical. The virtual model will normally only require
these condensed data sets to be operational.
3.3 Virtual Model of Physical Asset
We need to create a reality of the physical asset as a virtual model. Otherwise, we are
no longer doing a digital twin, we are just doing data capture, analysis, and
simulation on measurements. In other words, the virtual model needs to be selfsufficient to understand the system without having direct access to the physical
reality we are creating a twin for. For instance, traditional Information Technology
solutions such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) have captured data on
manufacturing operations but only logically without any representation of the actual
physical factory and manufacturing equipment.
The representation of the physical asset as a virtual model will often take the form
of a 3D model using various CAD standards [3]. These models will under usual
conditions be produced by engineering teams designing the physical asset, integrating sub-models from the equipment providers contributing the various components
of the physical asset. A limited number of standards exist that are quite interoperable
at a basic level of modelization.
In this area, we start to see some major roadblocks appearing. Virtual models will
in many cases be considered proprietary Intellectual Property of the providers, both
engineering and equipment providers. It is therefore critical to ensure that initial
contracts include appropriate availability and use rights of such models. Another
more subtle roadblock is that these models are developed with a lack of transparency
Digital Twins: A General Overview of the Biopharma Industry
171
One thing is to have measurements coming from a sensor, we also need to transmit
that data from the physical asset to the virtual environment.
Traditional approaches will include SCADA and wired networks with a historian
solution. Many players increasingly use variations of IoT boxes and standard mobile
networks such as wi-fi and to make the connection between automation and digital
environments while we are seeing mounting maturity of IoT network approaches in
different variations converging towards 5G [2].
In parallel, there are a lot of emerging solutions around Industrial IoT platforms
from most traditional industrial software players that make this connection between
the edge and digital platforms.
Whatever the solutions, usual complexities come from the interconnection of
multiple protocols originating in different worlds (automation vs IT vs telecom
mainly) and the variable interpretations of standards creating confusion and inconsistencies. Another major pitfall to avoid is in the translation and volumes of data in
different environments. The brutal reality of an analog sensor will usually overwhelm digital infrastructures to make the right conversions and simplifications at the
right time in the process is critical. The virtual model will normally only require
these condensed data sets to be operational.
3.3 Virtual Model of Physical Asset
We need to create a reality of the physical asset as a virtual model. Otherwise, we are
no longer doing a digital twin, we are just doing data capture, analysis, and
simulation on measurements. In other words, the virtual model needs to be selfsufficient to understand the system without having direct access to the physical
reality we are creating a twin for. For instance, traditional Information Technology
solutions such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) have captured data on
manufacturing operations but only logically without any representation of the actual
physical factory and manufacturing equipment.
The representation of the physical asset as a virtual model will often take the form
of a 3D model using various CAD standards [3]. These models will under usual
conditions be produced by engineering teams designing the physical asset, integrating sub-models from the equipment providers contributing the various components
of the physical asset. A limited number of standards exist that are quite interoperable
at a basic level of modelization.
In this area, we start to see some major roadblocks appearing. Virtual models will
in many cases be considered proprietary Intellectual Property of the providers, both
engineering and equipment providers. It is therefore critical to ensure that initial
contracts include appropriate availability and use rights of such models. Another
more subtle roadblock is that these models are developed with a lack of transparency
Digital Twins: A General Overview of the Biopharma Industry
171