Laboratory and Analytical Devices - LADS

LADS – Laboratory and Analytical Device Standard

Goal

Today’s laboratory infrastructures are made up of many highly specialised devices from a wide range of manufacturers. Different interfaces and data formats make it difficult to network these devices with each other and to integrate them into existing IT infrastructures. However, this is the most important prerequisite for end-to-end digitalization and efficient automation. Currently, there is no comprehensive, efficient and robust solution for this.

The objective of this group is the creation of a Laboratory and Analytical Device Standard (LADS), a manufacturer-independent open standard, which comprehensively takes on board the requirements of various branches, disciplines and business processes, and is sustainable and adaptable to future requirements in the field of digitalization and automation.

Scope

The information model specified by LADS will be defined into a UA companion specification using OPC UA constructs for the purpose of exposing information for selected high-level use-cases including monitoring & control, notification, program & result management, asset management and maintenance to OPC UA applications.

Due to the very diverse nature of device types utilized in laboratories, the UA companion specification LADS will follow a device-type agnostic information modelling approach. Individual information models for specific device types of equipment (agnostic approach) would invariably result in an unmanageable level of complexity. Innovation cycles, short in comparison to other branches, would demand the equally short-term development of associated standards. The general and agnostic information modeling approach utilized by LADS is well suited for overarching device integration as required by the targeted-high level use cases in a future proof manner:

This companion specification shall follow patterns and practices of other existing OPC UA companion specifications like OPC10020 (ADI) whenever useful and practicable. It will be based on OPC10000-100 Devices. The development of the specification and its feature shall be guided by user stories, use cases and market requirements provided by the participating members.

More information

All information about LADS as well as the participation opportunities can be found at
https://www.spectaris.de/en/association/thespectarisindustries/networked-laboratory-equipment/