Internet of Things (IoT) device data enables diverse applications However, the quality of data are non-standardized and difficult to quantify While poor quality data may be usable, establishing error bounds supports IoT’s use in critical applications National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) have long tradition in making measurement data trustworthy, and they are now working to digitalize these practices This paper forwards that agenda by presenting a Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) based concept to leverage digital metrology for IoT data and devices Digital Calibration Certificates (DCCs) offer a solution for describing, certifying, authenticating, and securing IoT data quality With DCCs, measurement device (sensor) calibration information may be included as metadata alongside samples captured by a device Metadata may include device identification, which serves as proof-of-origin for measurements and samples, and timing data, to ensure its “freshness” DCCs enhance communicating the quality of captured information among devices, services, and applications, thereby supporting IoT’s use in domains with strict error constraints Our proposed concept securely validates DCC-based (meta)data traceability chain from NMIs and devices to data end-users with cryptographic measures, rendering IoT data trustworthy for critical applications

/pdf/digital-metrology-for-the-internet-of-things-i3bpuwndg8.pdf

Digital Metrology for the Internet of Things

An Internet of Things–network (IoT– network) allows for the communication of data both within the network and to data hubs. However, the usefulness of the data depends on its ability to be interpreted correctly. For metrology data, effective use of the data is only possible if the numerical value, associated unit and uncertainty, expressed in a standard format, are also available. In order to develop, provide and distribute a formal framework for the transmission of metrology data on the basis of the International System of Units, European project EMPIR 17IND02 SmartCom was agreed between the European Com‐ mission and the European Association of National Metrology Institutes (Euramet). The SmartCom project aims to provide the methodological and technical foundation for the unambiguous, universal, safe and uniform com‐ munication of metrological smart data in the IoT and Industry 4.0. The project will increase the industrial capabilities and the provision of regulations for data exchange in the IoT. It will also assist countries within the European Union (EU) and those with an association agreement with the EU in develop‐ ing products that are able to communicate in IoT environments worldwide. In addition to describing the general ideas and aims of the project, this article presents the research results achieved in the first midterm period. © 2020 CPE, University of Maribor. All rights reserved.

/pdf/communication-and-validation-of-metrological-smart-data-in-42pur98i2y.pdf

Communication and validation of metrological smart data in IoT-networks

IoT systems based on collaborative sensor networks are becoming increasingly common in various industries owing to the increased availability of low-cost sensors. The quality of the data provided by these sensors may be unknown. For these reasons, advanced data processing and sensor network self-calibration methods have become popular research topics. In terms of metrology, the self-calibration methods lack the traceability to the established measurement standards of National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) through an unbroken chain-link of calibration. This problem can be solved by the ongoing digitalization of the metrology infrastructure. We propose a conceptual solution based on Digital Calibration Certificates (DCCs), Digital SI (D-SI), and cryptographic digital identifiers, for validation of data quality and trustworthiness. The data that enable validation and traceability can be used to improve analytics, decision-making, and security in industrial applications. We discuss the applicability and benefits of our solutions in a selection of industrial use cases, where collaborative sensing has already been introduced. We present the remaining challenges in the digitization and standardization processes regarding digital metrology and the future work required to address them.

https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/20/17/4730/pdf

Metrological Challenges in Collaborative Sensing: Applicability of Digital Calibration Certificates.

Modelling and traceability for computationally-intensive precision engineering and metrology

The Internet of Things (IoT) is characterized by a large number of interconnected devices or assets. Measurement instruments in the IoT are typically digital in the sense that their indications are available only as digital output. Moreover, a growing number of IoT sensors contain a built-in pre-processing system, e.g., for compensating unwanted effects. This paper considers the application of metrological principles to such so-called "smart sensors" in the IoT. It addresses the calibration of digital sensors, mathematical and semantic approaches, the communication of data quality and the meaning of traceability for the IoT in general.

https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/6/2019/pdf

Toward Smart Traceability for Digital Sensors and the Industrial Internet of Things.

SmartCom Digital System of Units (D-SI) Guide for the use of the metadata-format used in metrology for the easy-to-use, safe, harmonised and unambiguous digital transfer of metrological data - Second Edition

Digital Calibration Certificates (DCCs) will soon replace Paper Calibration Certificates (PCCs). As electronic files they can be communicated instantly and securely to the customer and are machine readable. However, DCCs require a digital security and software infrastructure to fulfil the current ‘analogue’ processes of authentication and validation that deliver a fully traceable calibration chain to primary standards. Additionally, software and knowledge representation systems will need to be put in place to support the use of DCCs both for the metrology community and for industry. We present in this work an initial analysis of the requirements of this infrastructure for DCCs in order to support Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things (IoT) and future digital metrology.

Infrastructure for Digital Calibration Certificates

SmartCom Digital-SI (D-SI) XML exchange format for metrological data version 1.3.1

In the age of big data, it is time to ensure that units are routinely documented for easy, unambiguous exchange of information. In the age of big data, it is time to ensure that units are routinely documented for easy, unambiguous exchange of information. 

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-01233-w.pdf

Daniel Hutzschenreuter

Papers

Metrological Challenges in Collaborative Sensing: Applicability of Digital Calibration Certificates.

SmartCom Digital System of Units (D-SI) Guide for the use of the metadata-format used in metrology for the easy-to-use, safe, harmonised and unambiguous digital transfer of metrological data - Second Edition

Infrastructure for Digital Calibration Certificates

SmartCom Digital-SI (D-SI) XML exchange format for metrological data version 1.3.1

Stop squandering data: make units of measurement machine-readable