OPC UA-PLC Object Linking for Standardized Automation Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods require substantial programming effort to map information models of automation systems onto the OPC UA information model for standardized data communication and representation across different manufacturers and industries, hindering interoperability and efficiency in industrial automation.
Innovation Solution
A method and development environment that link OPC UA objects with PLC code objects by reading OPC UA node sets, generating OPC UA instances, and linking them with PLC objects, reducing the need for extensive programming through compatible object types and attributes, enabling seamless data communication and information transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual mapping of information models to OPC UA information model is performed, then data communication standardization is achieved, but substantial programming effort is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic mapping of information models to OPC UA information model without requiring manual programming intervention. The mapping is generated self-service through automated processes that read PLC code, identify information models, and create corresponding OPC UA mappings, thereby eliminating substantial programming effort while maintaining data communication standardization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of information model mapping with an automated computational system. Instead of manually programming mappings between information models and OPC UA structures, the system uses automated analysis and generation processes to create the mappings, substituting manual labor with algorithmic processing
2Adaptability or versatility
If different manufacturers' devices are integrated into automation systems, then interoperability is improved, but complexity of data communication structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal mapping mechanism that works across different manufacturers' devices and various information models. The automatic mapping system provides a multi-functional solution that handles diverse device types and communication protocols through a unified approach, enabling interoperability without increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic mapping system acts as an intermediary layer between different manufacturers' devices and the OPC UA standard. This mediator automatically translates between various information models and the standardized OPC UA information model, enabling seamless interoperability while maintaining a clean, manageable data communication structure
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method (100) for linking objects of the data communications standard Open Platform Communication Unified Architecture OPC UA with objects of a PLC code of a control unit (201) of an automation system (200), comprising: importing an OPC UA node set of a companion specification in an import step (101); generating OPC UA instances of the OPC UA object types of the OPC UA node sets for the automation system (200) and combining the OPC UA instances in an OPC UA instance node set in an instancing step (103); generating PLC objects in a PLC code of a control program of the automation system (200) in an object generating step (105); and linking the OPC UA instances of the OPC UA instance node sets with PLC objects of the PLC code of the control program in a linking step (107). The invention furthermore relates to a development environment (211) for carrying out the method (100).