Polling in industrial communication protocols refers to the systematic polling of devices or sensors over a network at regular intervals to collect data efficiently. In this process, a central controller polls each device in turn to determine if it has data to report. The central server collects the responses and processes the collected data at regular intervals. Although polling is resource intensive and can lead to higher latency, it is valued for its simplicity and control over data collection in industrial applications.
By the 1950s, advancements in automation and early computerized systems began to permeate various industries. These technological strides necessitated improved methods for sequentially querying multiple devices or sensors—which gave way to polling. This period saw a growing sophistication in the application of polling techniques to streamline data collection and command dissemination. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the development of early computer networks, including ARPANET and Ethernet, refined these polling techniques. Such innovations were crucial in enhancing industrial control systems by facilitating efficient data collection from sensors and control of actuators. This era witnessed significant progress in how polling methods were adapted for industrial use within these nascent networks.
The widespread adoption of digital communication protocols, such as MODBUS and PROFIBUS during the 1980s and 1990s, further propelled the evolution of polling methods. These protocols were integral to industrial automation, as they encapsulated polling techniques, which became fundamental for real-time data retrieval from remote devices within industrial settings. This period marked a consolidation of polling as a cornerstone method in industrial communication systems. Entering the 2000s, the rise of Internet connectivity and the advent of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) marked another transformative phase for polling techniques. These methods adapted to accommodate distributed and interconnected systems, making polling over IP networks commonplace.
This evolution empowered remote monitoring and control of industrial equipment, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and data integrity. In the 2010s and into the present day, polling techniques have continued to evolve, leveraging state-of-the-art communication technologies such as MQTT, OPC UA, and wireless protocols like Zigbee and LoRaWAN These advancements have facilitated real-time polling over wireless networks, providing greater flexibility and scalability in industrial communication systems. The integration of IIoT technologies has been particularly impactful, enabling seamless capture and transmission of real-time data between smart devices and machines, thus optimizing automation and self-optimization processes
Polling methods have thus journeyed to becoming integral components of modern industrial communication infrastructures. Today's advanced polling techniques enhance the capabilities of IIoT by enabling real-time data exchange and analytics crucial for modern industrial optimization and operational efficiency.
