What is Cyber Physical Systems with Example- Unbinding the Reality

Introduction

A fresh class of intelligent engineering systems, cyber physical systems has come into existence with rapid improvements. Since, there are new developments in computers, networking, smart sensors, and actuators, physical, and cyber systems can now work better. While this development changes jobs and calls for new skill sets, it does not diminish the value of human engagement. Also, computational processes must be trustworthy, secure, and safe as CPS become more dependent on them.

This article will cover what a cyber-physical system (CPS) is and its various applications with examples that are causing this evolution. 

Cyber Physical Systems Meaning

A cyber-physical system is a system that combines computer and physical components to monitor and control physical processes. So, a CPS is a network of computing devices that communicate with one another. Moreover, it engages in feedback loop interactions with the physical world through sensors and actuators.

These systems combine the capabilities of sensing, actuation, computation, and communication. Also, it ensures the overall effectiveness, dependability, and safety of physical systems.

Cyber Physical Systems Properties

Some aspects of the cyber-physical system are:

Network Connectivity

The basis of communication between the cyber and physical worlds is the network connectivity that CPS systems must use.

Reactive Systems

Reactive systems constantly exchange inputs and outputs with their surroundings.

Robustness & Reliability

CPS requires efficient reliability to provide safe and effective functioning in dynamic conditions.

Real-Time calculation

Cyber-physical systems feature real-time calculation abilities that enable dynamic decision-making. Therefore, it uses information on actual, physical facts from the real environment.

Concurrency

The coordinated simultaneous execution of several tasks or processes is a concurrency in CPS.

Cyber Physical Systems Examples

Examples of CPS include:
 

• Autonomous vehicles
• Intelligent buildings
• Implantable medical technology
• Self-driving vehicles
• Planes that automatically fly in regulated airspace

CPS is now present in a wide range of sectors, including communications and consumer electronics. Furthermore, you can see it in manufacturing, energy, healthcare, aerospace, and the automobile and energy industries. These systems are important to daily life, and in some situations, they are making significant advancements.

Applications of Cyber Physical Systems in Various Sectors

About technology, cyber-physical systems have the greatest application in a variety of sectors:

Agriculture

Using cps systems, we can create the kinds of sensors, tractors, and harvesters to know the type and condition of the soil.

Civil Infrastructure

Cyber-physical systems are improving civil infrastructure with new technology that is more efficient. It includes IoT, sensors, and other cutting-edge digital technology.

Manufacturing

In the manufacturing industry, CPS may continuously monitor and manage the production process. Hence, it enhances quality and lowers scrap.

Transportation

CPS can increase safety and effectiveness in the transportation sector by using intelligent traffic management systems. It also offers assistance to vehicle-to-vehicle communications and self-driving cars.

Aeronautics

CPS integration has a place in the aeronautics industry. Thus CPS is useful in aviation to enhance performance and efficiency. It also enhances the control and safety of the aircraft.

Healthcare and personalised medicine

CPS systems have the technology necessary to monitor patients' health data using connected medical equipment and wearables.

Industry 4.0 and CPS

Implementing Industry 4.0 technologies has the main goal to empower manufacturing businesses. Therefore, it may enhance departmental collaboration by giving relevant information rapid access to the right people. Encouragement of sensible decision-making at the right time is also a goal to increase effectiveness and productivity. In the manufacturing industry, a "cyber-physical system" is a physical device that uses the internet. It also includes computers and control components like sensors and actuators. For example, a pump or compressor.

The Third Industrial Revolution set the groundwork for Industry 4.0. Moreover, one of the goals was a major growth in the use of electronics and computers in industrial production processes. So, as electronics and computers became popular, their prices fell. Hence, computers are getting smaller and more dependable, and computation and processing power are rising dramatically. As a result, industry 4.0 cyber physical systems are on the rise. Therefore, a manufacturing company must take action to transform existing physical entities into CPS to match Industry 4.0.

Common CPS Usage Scenarios in Future

CPS is coming to terms with reality as we can see from the current state of developments. Thus, as demand pullers, the following use scenarios may occur:
 

• Systems that use embedded computing for process control like the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals.
• Smart sensors, cameras, actuators, data analysis, and motion control in autonomous vehicles.
• Robots that can control motion are a must in a wide range of applications, including healthcare.
• Use of data analytics, points of data pick up over the cloud, and outputs on dashboards and 3D visualisation. These various application scenarios are all components of the Internet of Things (IoT).
• Smart grid electrical power management involves automatic and fair power allocation among multiple customers via a set of parameters. Here, cyber physical systems engineering is useful. 
• To provide effective client services, the supply chain uses edge computing at several touchpoints.

Cyber Physical Systems Security Aspects

The field of the digital world depends heavily on cybersecurity. Furthermore, in the modern day, protecting information and data has emerged as one of the major issues. However, regarding cybersecurity, the first concern is the massive increase in cybercrimes that are occurring daily. Thus, governments and organisations from all around the world are adopting a range of actions to stop these cybercrimes. Besides various measures, many people have serious concerns about CPS security.

A secure computing environment and sufficient trust in electronic transactions, software, services, devices, and networks is a must. They are the priorities in light of the extensive growth of the IT sector in various countries. Hence, CPS security is a must for any ambitious plans for rapid social transformation, and inclusive growth.

Key Takeaways
 

• It combines cyber components with elements of physics that are networked and connected.
• In comparison to IoT devices, CPS systems are more complex.
• The seamless monitoring and management of physical processes is the goal of CPS systems.
• Sensors and actuators participate in the feedback loop of CPS systems.
• Devices in CPS systems can communicate with and control physical processes.

Conclusion

Physical devices can function in dynamic situations due to integrated networking, information processing, sensing, and actuation capacities. So, it enables smart systems and develops a new "systems science". Cyber physical systems have the potential to achieve so far unheard-of capabilities. CPS serves to describe tightly coupled cyber and physical systems that display this degree of integrated intelligence. Thus, every CPS has computational procedures that communicate with real elements.

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