The overall goal of the working group, which operates within OPCF as part of the FLC Initiative is to drive interoperability of instrumentation devices, such as flowmeters, analyzers, transmitters (including temperature, pressure, level, flow), flame detectors, valves and valve controllers. The WG will add to the UAFX base specifications the definition of interfaces and behaviors for instrumentation devices. The interoperable interface between PLC / DCS and instrumentation devices shall support different industries such as food & beverage, automotive, oil & gas, pharmaceutical, chemicals, energy, water waste, pulp & paper.
The interface shall include the following functionalities:
- data models and behavior for the different device types
- functional safety
- diagnostic information which is specific for instrumentation devices
- operational modes of instrumentation devices
- state machines and timing models for instrumentation specific functionality
The Instrumentation Working Group will use the UAFX base device facet specification and extend it with elements that are required for interoperability of instrumentation devices to create an Instrumentation Facet. The Instrumentation Facet shall be specified taking into consideration existing companion specifications, such as OPC 30081 (OPC UA for Process Automation Devices – PA-DIM). In addition, the working group will strive to manage overlap with other information models already released or being worked on. Examples are the models for “Calibration” (a Harmonization sub-group) and “Laboratory and Analytical Devices” (LADS working group).
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