Distributed control for smart cranes over mobile network

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to research whether it is possible to build a distributed system where automated smart crane works as a part of automated factory ecosystem by utilizing mobile network and edge computing technologies. Future prospects of crane industries from the aspect of the fourth industrial revolution will be reviewed, in which intelligent process components form an ecosystem and improve process efficiency by sharing data over mobile network.

Furthermore, this thesis will review fifth generation mobile network technology and the possibilities it is theorized to bring in contrast to the tested Private LTE network architecture. A simulation of a future factory will be built where smart crane has joined to the automated ecosystem formed by the processing system. The capabilities of the Private LTE network is assessed through passive network measurements, from which the feasibility of the Private LTE network as fourth industrial revolution enabling technology is assessed.