Cyberphysical Sequencing for Distributed Asset Management with Broad Traceability

TL;DR

This paper introduces cyberphysical sequencing, a low-cost, lightweight method to enhance traceability and provenance in cyber-physical systems, addressing supply chain transparency issues.

Contribution

It proposes a novel cyberphysical sequencing technique that links physical assets to digital identifiers, improving traceability with minimal resources.

Findings

Enables universal asset traceability in CPS

Provides a low-cost alternative to existing tracking methods

Enhances supply chain transparency and trust

Abstract

Cyber-Physical systems (CPS) have complex lifecycles involving multiple stakeholders, and the transparency of both hardware and software components' supply chain is opaque at best. This raises concerns for stakeholders who may not trust that what they receive is what was requested. There is an opportunity to build a cyberphysical titling process offering universal traceability and the ability to differentiate systems based on provenance. Today, RFID tags and barcodes address some of these needs, though they are easily manipulated due to non-linkage with an object or system's intrinsic characteristics. We propose cyberphysical sequencing as a low-cost, light-weight and pervasive means of adding track-and-trace capabilities to any asset that ties a system's physical identity to a unique and invariant digital identifier. CPS sequencing offers benefits similar Digital Twins' for identifying and managing the provenance and identity of an asset throughout its life with far fewer computational and other resources.