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Communication and validation of smart data in IoT-networks

The project

Completed EMPIR project Communication and validation of smart data in IoT-networks (17IND02, SmartCom) developed the basis for a secure, unambiguous, and unified exchange of data in communication networks, where metrological data is used. The project developed a formal framework for the transmission of metrology data based on the International System of Units (the SI), which is applicable to all metrology domains on the Internet of Things (IoT), where the IoT is the common term for the fast-growing global network of WiFi-enabled smart devices and computers.

Digital-SI

A significant highlight from the project is the promotion of SI units for digital communication of metrological data, or the ‘Digital-SI’. This promotion led to the foundation of the new CIPM Task Group ‘Digital-SI’ which is pursuing the future harmonisation of SI units in digital applications.

The mission of this task group is to establish a world-wide agreed, uniform, unambiguous, authoritative and dependable framework for metrological data based on the SI together with stakeholders from international quality infrastructures including International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), and legal metrology organisations like International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML).

In 2022 the international metrology community intends to make the joint development of a ‘Digital-SI’ a key objective through their vote on a resolution for digital transformation based on the SI at the 27th General Conference on Weights and Measures, as well as issue a joint statement from the organisations involved. Furthermore, the Joint Statement will be signed by OIML, CIPM/BIPM, CODATA/ISC and IMEKO in the nearest future.

Workshop attended by over 600 participants

A final public workshop entitled Metrology for Digital Transformation in association with EUROLAB was held online in September 2021. One of the workshop’s sessions ‘Digital processes in the quality infrastructure: The Digital Calibration Certificate’ was dedicated to the outcomes of the project and was attended by over 300 participants worldwide. The attendees were from a wide range of organisations and institutions including: National Metrology Institutes and Designated Institutes; accreditation organisations; calibration laboratory member organisations; OIML and WELMEC, the European Cooperation in Legal Metrology. The workshop included a joint series of highly successful online dissemination talks and ’Meet the Expert’ Q&A sessions with strong interest in this rapidly developing topic.

Access the presentations

Project Coordinator Wiebke Heeren from PTB said ‘The EMPIR project 17IND02 SmartCom has found its rewarding end at the joint EURAMET and EUROLAB workshop but the transformation of our calibration and measurement services towards automated and fully digital processes is just starting for a wider range of organisations and laboratories. Members of the project are highly motivated to continue the close work with stakeholders from industry, standardization and accreditation in follow up activities and projects for establishing a lasting development for all players in a European and global quality infrastructure of measurement. The topic of digital machine-readable certificates has gone viral in global metrology and members from SmartCom are delighted to have supported this trailblazing development to get going.’

This EMPIR project is co-funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the EMPIR Participating States.

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