Information Models
Information models are the foundation of seamless, cross-vendor communication in modern automation. These models define how devices, machines, and systems describe, exchange, and interpret their data.
PROFINET's standardized information models enable the seamless integration of field devices from the planning and commissioning stages through operation and diagnostics.
FDI, a technology described in IEC 62769, is a joint initiative by leading companies in the process and automation technology sectors.
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FDI
OPC UA enables vendor- and platform-independent communication between devices, machines, and systems.
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OPC UA
PA-DIM (Process Automation Device Information Model) is a standardized information model for process automation.
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Information models play a central role in the digital transformation of industrial automation. They establish a unified semantic foundation upon which data can be unambiguously described, interpreted, and exchanged between devices, systems, and IT platforms.
By combining various standards, such as FDI, GSD, OPC UA, and PA-DIM, a consistent information model is created. This simplifies the integration of field devices while improving interoperability in heterogeneous system landscapes.
As a result, information models form the basis for efficient engineering processes, transparent data structures, and future-proof applications in the context of Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).