Machine Control Publish-Subscribe Using OPC UA for Flexible Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing publish/subscribe communication methods in industrial automation are inflexible and limited in system configuration, making them unsuitable for demanding automation tasks and lacking interoperability across different components and manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A machine control system that can function as both a subscriber and publisher, using OPC-UA as a data exchange standard, enabling flexible configuration, real-time communication, and interoperability through bidirectional coding capabilities and a generic functionality on the runtime system, allowing for autonomous network infrastructure and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a publish/subscribe communication model is used with decoupled publisher and subscriber, then simple structures are achieved, but flexibility in system configuration and suitability for industrial automation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The machine control system is designed to function as both a publisher and subscriber simultaneously, enabling it to participate in publish/subscribe communication in multiple roles. This multi-functionality allows the system to publish control data to the network while also subscribing to control data from other participants, thereby achieving both structural simplicity and configuration flexibility without requiring separate dedicated publisher and subscriber systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a machine controller is configured as both subscriber and publisher with bidirectional coding capabilities, then flexibility in system configuration is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The machine control system incorporates autonomous functionality to automatically manage its dual role as publisher and subscriber. The system can independently configure its publishing and subscribing capabilities, manage its own network participation, and handle bidirectional data exchange without requiring complex external configuration or intervention. This self-service approach reduces the effective complexity despite the enhanced functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If OPC-UA data exchange standard is used for network communication, then interoperability across manufacturers is achieved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures its OPC-UA communication capabilities and establishes connection parameters in advance. By preparing the communication framework, data models, and interoperability protocols beforehand, the system minimizes the overhead during actual data exchange operations. The preliminary setup of bidirectional coding capabilities and network service functions reduces the time required for real-time communication while maintaining full OPC-UA interoperability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method of communicating machine control data (1) of a mechatronic system (2) in a network (3) with at least one network participant (4,6) who sends the control data (1) via the network (3) using a data exchange standard that supports a publish/subscribe communication model (publisher) and with at least one network participant (6,4).To make such a procedure simple, fast and robust, it is proposed that a machine controller (4) of the mechatronic system is integrated into the network (3) as a network participant, which can be arbitrarily configured as a subscriber and/or as a publisher for the communication of the control data (1), wherein the machine controller (4) as publisher provides the control data (1) with a message identifier (7), encodes it as a network message (5) using the data exchange standard and sends the network message (5) via the network (3) and/or the machine controller (4) as subscriber receives a network message (5) designated for the subscriber by means of a message identifier (7) via the network (3) and decodes it as control data (1) using the data exchange standard.