Master´s thesis – Failover readiness validation for redundant industrial networks

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Your role and responsibilities

Industrial automation networks are designed to maintain continuous operation even in the presence of faults. To achieve this, networks such as ABB System 800xA deploy redundant routers for inter-area communication. Depending on the redundancy protocol in use, a redundant router may either share traffic simultaneously with its counterpart or sit idle until a failure occurs. In both cases, the redundant path can degrade silently over time without being detected, since it receives little attention as long as the primary path operates normally.

When a failure occurs and the network relies on the redundant router, that router may already be degraded or lack sufficient bandwidth and processing resources to carry the full traffic load. This leads to performance collapse at the most critical moment.

This thesis will investigate how to assess and predict the readiness of redundant routers in industrial automation networks. The student will survey existing redundancy protocols, identify measurable indicators of router and path health, design a lightweight monitoring agent, and develop a readiness scoring method. The solution will be validated on a lab testbed using realistic degradation scenarios, with the goal of raising early warnings before redundancy is compromised.

Recommended research questions are (can be some of the following):

• What measurable indicators reliably characterize the readiness of a redundant router to carry full traffic load, and how can they be collected with minimal impact on operational traffic?
• How can a readiness scoring model distinguish between a genuinely degraded redundant path and normal variation in network metrics, across both RNRP and PRP redundancy protocols?

• What are the trade-offs between probing frequency, detection accuracy, and network overhead in a continuous readiness validation system for industrial automation networks?

Details:

• Spring 2027, commonly between Jan-June
• 30 ECTS/högskolepoäng (hp)
• 1-2 students
• In Västerås. Possibility for hybrid workplace
  

Your responsibilities

• Survey existing redundancy mechanisms in industrial networks and identify what readiness information is currently available and what is missing.
• Design a lightweight probing agent that periodically collects readiness indicators from the redundant router without interfering with operational traffic.
• Develop a readiness scoring model that combines the collected indicators into a single health score.
• Validate on a lab testbed by injecting realistic degradation scenarios and evaluate detection accuracy, probing overhead, and alert response time.

Your background

We are looking for motivated master's students interested in designing future industrial communication solutions.

Candidates could have:

• Academic Background in one or more of the following fields:
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Network Engineering
• Knowledge in computer networks, e.g., routing protocols, Ethernet, and TCP/IP.
• Familiarity with common industrial communication protocols. OPC UA knowledge is a plus.
• Programming skills in C/C++ or Python for code implementation and data analysis.
• Basic statistics or machine learning for readiness scoring model development.

More about us

Recruiting Manager Dawid Ziobro, dawid.ziobro@se.abb.com, will answer your questions.

Apply with your CV, academic transcripts and a cover letter in English. 

We look forward to receiving your application!

A future opportunity

This role is part of our talent pipeline, which means it’s not currently open, but we’re always looking for curious minds, bold thinkers, and people who want to make an impact.

Click Apply to express your interest and be considered for future opportunities that match your experience and aspirations.

At ABB, we welcome people from all backgrounds and believe that diverse perspectives help us build a cleaner, smarter future.

Apply today or visit https://www.abb.com to learn more about how we help run what runs the world.