Cyberphysischen

The term Cyberphysischen, used in German discourse, corresponds to the English concept of cyber-physical systems (CPS). CPS are engineered systems in which computation, networking, and physical processes are tightly integrated. Embedded computers monitor and control physical processes, while sensors and actuators exchange data with the cyber layer to form closed-loop control.

Architecture includes the physical processes, sensing and actuation subsystems, the cyber layer with computation and communication, and the interfaces that link them through real-time software. Key features include real-time operation, reliability, safety, and scalability, reflecting a cross-disciplinary design spanning computer science, control theory, electrical and mechanical engineering.

Applications span manufacturing automation, autonomous transportation, energy systems such as smart grids, healthcare devices, and robotics. CPS enable remote monitoring, adaptive control, and system-level optimization across sectors.

Challenges include security and safety risks, privacy concerns, interoperability, and verification of complex, heterogeneous systems. Standards and regulatory frameworks exist in industrial automation and automotive sectors, such as ISA/IEC 62443 for industrial security and ISO 26262 for automotive safety, alongside ongoing research into digital twins, edge computing, and resilient control.

History and outlook: The term gained prominence in the mid-2000s, with researchers such as Edward A. Lee shaping the concept. Since then CPS have become central to Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things, driving advances in modelling, simulation, verification, and certification.