Virtual Automation Networks - Start Conditions for a European Integrated Project

In 2005 the European Integrated Project “Virtual Automation Networks” has been established. This project deals with heterogeneous communication networks and their use for geographically distributed Automation applications. The heterogeneous character of the used network with different network transitions and used business models results in specific requirements necessary for the automation domain to guarantee a specific behaviour of the end-to-end connection between the distributed applications: scalable real-time, scalable safety and security mechanisms. Additionally, the influence of the wireless communication technology on the heterogeneous communication networks has to be investigated. The complexity of the heterogeneous networks requires the investigation of the given approaches, the recent research and standardisation activities, and products under development.