Abstract
In the Reference Architecture Model for Industrie 4.0, the concept of Asset Administration Shell is presented as the corner stone of interoperability. Asset Administration Shell is defined as a digital representation of an asset able to provide information about the asset including documents, properties, parameters, and functionalities, all organized in a consistent way. Information provided by an Asset Administration Shell can be adopted during whole life cycle of a production system, from its development until its disposal. At the lowest level of the hierarchy of a production system, usually automation and control programs are executed by Programmable Logic Controllers, whose programming technology is based on IEC 61131–3 standard. The IEC 61131–3 programs, the Programmable Logic Controllers where they run, and the real plant controlled are closely related. Considering the life cycle of a production system, the description of IEC 61131–3 programs and the relevant relationships with the plant should be clearly defined, leading to several advantages for example regarding the definition of testing plant operations, maintenance operations at run-time and reconfiguration process of the plant. What is missing for the realization of what said so far is a standard way to realize this description. For this reason, the paper presents an Asset Administration Shell model able to represent IEC 61131–3 programs and the relevant relationships with Programmable Logic Controllers and each device of the controlled plant.
Highlights
Standards are the pillars of interoperability in the context of Industry 4.0 because their adoption creates the basis for the interworking between partners of a value-chain network
The paper presented the use of Administration Shell (AAS) metamodel to represent an IEC 61131-3 program and its relationships with the real plant controlled
Use of the AAS metamodel has the advantage that engineers or technicians coming from different domains can understand the relationships between the real plant and the relevant control programs
Summary
Standards are the pillars of interoperability in the context of Industry 4.0 because their adoption creates the basis for the interworking between partners of a value-chain network. There is a close relationship between IEC 61131-3 programs, the hardware and software resources of the PLC where they run and the plant (which may include a set of controlled machines, control devices, control applications and communication systems). A comprehensive description of IEC 61131-3 programs including the relevant mappings with the PLC where they run, and the controlled plant could be very useful. Authors propose some reasonings aimed to define an approach to represent the entire set of PLC, its internal programs, and the relationships with the real plant by means of AAS.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
