OPC UA Aggregated Address Space for Multi-Server Version Conflicts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing OPC UA-based client-server communication systems are limited to connecting with a single server at a time, face version incompatibilities leading to type conflicts, and are incapable of handling runtime changes in the server's address space.
Innovation Solution
An aggregator system that generates an aggregated address space by browsing and mapping nodes from multiple servers, using unique identifiers to avoid conflicts, and dynamically updates the space in real-time to handle data and model change events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple instances of the client are deployed to connect to multiple servers, then the client can communicate with multiple servers, but the development effort and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple server connections into a single client instance by introducing an aggregator component that consolidates address spaces from multiple servers. The aggregator combines nodes and variables from different servers into unified address spaces (first and second address spaces), allowing a single client to interact with multiple servers through consolidated interfaces, thereby reducing development effort while maintaining multi-server connectivity
2Adaptability or versatility
If servers implement different versions of information models, then each server can use its own version, but type conflicts occur between versions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the address space into distinct first and second address spaces, where each address space corresponds to a specific server version. This segmentation allows different versioned servers to coexist without type conflicts, as each maintains its own namespace. The system handles version compatibility by organizing nodes and variables in separate address spaces that can be independently managed and accessed by the client
3Adaptability or versatility
If the server address space changes at runtime, then the server can adapt dynamically, but existing OPC UA client-server communication cannot handle these changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic address space management by enabling the aggregator to detect, process, and adapt to runtime changes in server address spaces. The system monitors for additions, deletions, and modifications of nodes and variables, automatically updating the consolidated address spaces to reflect current server states. This dynamic capability allows the client to maintain stable communication while servers evolve their address spaces at runtime
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a system (100) and method for enabling client-server communication using OPC UA protocol. The method comprises establishing connection with one or more servers (110), by an aggregator (105) associated with a client device (115). Further, an aggregated address space for the servers (110) is generated, by the aggregator (105), based on address spaces of the servers (110). Further, an event in an address space of at least one of the servers (110) is detected, by the aggregator (105), in real-time. Based on the event, the aggregated address space is updated, by the aggregator (105).