Gateway Mapping EDDL Field Devices to OPC UA Information Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial automation systems face challenges in integrating field devices described by legacy description languages, such as EDDL, into modern communication environments that utilize a semantically enriched and graph-based data information model like OPC UA, limiting direct data access and hindering applications that require flexible and direct access to field device information.
Innovation Solution
A gateway system that transforms field device descriptions into a semantically enriched and graph-based data information model using a knowledge-based mapping system, employing Datalog rules to map legacy device descriptions like EDDL onto OPC UA, enabling direct data access and integration with applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If field devices are described by legacy description languages like EDDL, then device-specific data exchange is enabled, but integration into modern automation systems using standardized protocols like OPC UA is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer that converts legacy EDDL device descriptions into OPC UA information models. This mediator component enables seamless integration between legacy field devices and modern automation systems without requiring changes to the original devices, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity through standardized transformation rules
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms data parameters from legacy EDDL format to OPC UA information model format by changing the structural parameters, data types, and semantic relationships. This parameter transformation enables legacy devices to communicate using modern standardized protocols, enhancing integration capability across different automation system levels
2Ease of operation
If specialized networks with various protocols are used for interconnection, then device-specific communication is achieved, but standardized access to process data is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device performs multiple functions including parsing, translation, and data model conversion within a single system. It universally supports both legacy EDDL protocols and modern OPC UA standards, enabling a single interface to handle diverse communication protocols and providing standardized access to process data across different device types
Solution Approach 2:
The system acts as a mediator between specialized legacy networks and standardized modern automation systems. By implementing protocol translation and information model conversion, it enables standardized access to process data while maintaining compatibility with diverse legacy communication protocols
3Productivity
If direct access to field device information is implemented, then application flexibility is improved, but compatibility with legacy devices using different description schemes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the parameter structure of device descriptions from legacy EDDL formats to OPC UA information models, enabling direct access to field device information through standardized interfaces. This parameter transformation maintains compatibility with legacy devices while allowing modern applications to efficiently access and process device data using unified data models
Data Source
AI summary
Modern industrial processes demand flexibility in terms of how data flows are structured in an automation pyramid. Instead of only upward and downward flows, the data should be accessible directly at each level of the pyramid. A gateway for facilitating an integration of process equipment within an industrial environment supporting an open industry standard is provided. Integration of field devices having characteristics, capabilities, and/or requirements that are expressed by a description language for industrial process equipment such as EDDL, into a contemporary communication environment enabling a direct data access, is supported. The communication environment is operated based on a semantically enriched and graph-based data information model such as provided by OPC UA.