This document discusses the PA DIM (Process Automation Device Information Model) presentation. It introduces PA DIM as a standardized information model for accessing device data via OPC-UA. PA DIM is based on NAMUR requirements and reuses interfaces from the OPC UA Device Integration model. It allows mapping device information contained in packages like FDI to OPC-UA clients, providing access to signals, functions and health of devices nearly independently of the physical communication protocol. The presentation also provides an overview of common device driver types like EDD, FDT/DTM and FDI and how OPC-UA supports information modeling and both client-server and publish-subscribe communication mechanisms.

1. 02/15/2023
Products Solutions Services
PA DIM presentation
Slide 1 AEI

2. 02/15/2023
Content
• Drivers … the idea of PA DIM
• FDI driver packages
• Short OPC-UA recap
• Summarize & Questions
PA DIM presentation
Slide 2 AEI

3. 02/15/2023
PA DIM presentation
Drivers, drivers, drivers, …
1 3
Integration
in control
IIoT & Digital
Services
Use Case Use Case Use Case
Enlarge information
value
Secure core customer
process
Increase operational
efficiency
Asset
Management
2
3rd
Slide 3 AEI

4. 02/15/2023
Why do Customers need a Device Driver?
What are the main tasks when a customer accesses field instruments
• Fast and easy basic Setup of 80% of all field devices
• Perform diagnostic check
• Measuring point documentation
• Service functionality (e.g. envelope curve)
• Getting Measurement values into a control system
PA DIM presentation
Basic configuration
wizard
Heartbeat
Print functionality
E.g., Envelope curve
Slide 4 AEI

5. 02/15/2023
Types of device drivers - EDD
In September 2002 the Fieldbus Foundation (FF) , HART Communication Foundation (HCF) and
the
PROFIBUS Nutzerorganisation (PNO) began discussions about jointly investigating and
developing
enhancements for the Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL).
These discussions resulted in a joint project, which was staffed by participants from all three
organizations.
This joint project gathered requirements and designed language enhancements to support
complex devices, provided graphical displays, enhanced HMI descriptions and access to
persistent (i.e., EDD application stored) data. Draft specifications for the resulting language
enhancements were completed in September 2003.
Tools using EDDs are e.g., Siemens PDM, Emerson AMS, …
PA DIM presentation
Slide 5 AEI

6. 02/15/2023
Types of device drivers – FDT / DTM
The FDT Device Type Manager™ (FDT DTM) contains application software that defines all the
parameters and capabilities included in an automation device.
The DTM encapsulates device-specific data, functions and business rules such as the device
structure, its communication capabilities, internal dependencies, and human-machine interface
(HMI) structure.
• FDT – Frame Application to open DTMs
• DTM – Device Driver
• Com. DTM – Establishes the connection between the FDT application and the field device.
This is DTM is vendor and technology specific.
• iDTM - Interpredates e.g., an EDD file for a FDT frame
Tools using DTMs are e.g., Endress+Hauser FieldCare, Honeywell, ABB, Emerson (partly), …
PA DIM presentation
Slide 6 AEI

7. 02/15/2023
Types of device drivers - FDI
FDI is an emerging device integration technology in the process automation industry. The core of
FDI standard is the FDI Device Package. It is a standardized container having all the elements
required for describing the field device in the plant. FDI Device Packages contain EDDL to
manage the device operations and optional UIP (User Interface Plug-in) to describe the complex
device functionalities like echo curve, valve signature etc.
FDI-DTM technology allows FDI Device Packages to be supported in existing FDT/FRAME-
enabled host systems. This enables the existing huge installed base of FDT-enabled engineering
applications to experience the benefits of FDI Device Packages. EDDL and UIP components within
the FDI Device Package are interpreted as the Device DTM by the FDI-DTM technology. For
FDT/FRAME™ applications, the FDI-DTM will act like a Device DTM whereas for the FDI Device
Package, it will behave as if it is the FDI Host. FDI-DTM technology will ensure long-term
investment protection for end users and device suppliers.
PA DIM presentation
Slide 7 AEI

8. 02/15/2023
FieldComm Group and PI Cooperate
• One package for (nearly) all automation systems & technologies
PA DIM presentation
• Conformance Testing around the world
• FieldComm Groups and PI test labs
• Device and Host tests
• Work jointly in Working groups to keep FDI harmonized among
the protocols
• FDI specification, EDDL specification
• Device and Host conformance test specification and
processes
Slide 8 AEI

9. 02/15/2023
PA - Device Integration Manager
FieldComm Group (FCG), OPC Foundation (OPCF), and PROFIBUS/PROFINET International (PI)
have taken the initiative to jointly standardize and specify the information model for Process
Automation Devices - PA-DIM.
PA-DIM is based on the NAMUR requirements for Open Architecture (under development), Self-
Monitoring and Diagnosis of Field Devices (NE107), and NAMUR standard device - Field devices
for standard applications (NE 131).
PA-DIM is a manufacturer independent Information Model with a structured hierarchy for
standardized data access for devices. A Device (Asset) has Set of Signals (Functions) e.g., Process
Variables, which are based on OPC UA Part 100 Devices (DI-model). PA-DIM re-use IVendor-,
ITag- Nameplate and IDeviceHealth- Interfaces from DI.
PA DIM presentation
Slide 9 AEI

10. 02/15/2023
PA - Device Integration Manager
PA – DIM enables access to device information via
OPC-UA
• Nearly independently of the communication &
physics of the connected field device.
• The PA – DIM is loaded with e.g., the FDI Package
containing the EDD.
• Through the OPC-UA technology the information is
mapped and made available for clients.
PA DIM presentation
Source: Process Automation Device Information Model, FieldCom Group
Slide 10 AEI

11. 02/15/2023
Short recap OPC-UA - Value proposition claim of OPC UA
Windows LINUX Android iOS
Embedded
OPC UA is …
• Independent of operating systems
• Independent of hardware platforms
• Secure (Authorization & Authentication)
• Safe (QoS)
• Scalable
• Able to model data (Syntax & Semantic)
• Transmitted via standard TCP/IP communication
• Replacement of DCOM
• Object oriented
PA DIM presentation
OPC UA – Open Platform Communication (OPC) Unified Architecture (UA)
Security
… to make information accessible through a standardized, secure and reliable way for industry applications
Slide 11 AEI

12. 02/15/2023
Architecture & Information Modeling
PA DIM presentation
Legend:
DA: Data Access (mostly used)
AC: Alarms & Conditions
HA: Historical Access
Vendor specific IM
OPC UA Base Services
Transport & Security
via TCP Binary or SOAP
DA AC HA
Industry Standards: FDI, ADI Information
Models
OPC UA Base
Information Model (IM)
Modeling Framework
OPC UA comes with a modeling “language”
(Syntax) which allows users to turn raw data in
more valuable information by adding meaning to
the data (Semantics). It’s object oriented…
EXAMPLE:
Transmission of an analogue measurement
value of Sensor 1 which is 27,3 °C
• PROFIBUS 4 Byte value, 1 Byte status
→ 0x1041DA6680 = 27,3 & good
• OPC UA uses information modeling
→ Sensor 1::ObjectType_Sensor
PV::ObjectTypeA_Value
Value::Type_IEEE754
Unit::Type_String
Slide 12 AEI

13. 02/15/2023
PA DIM presentation
Client-Server & Pub-Sub mechanism
Slide 13 AEI

14. 02/15/2023
Client-Server & Pub-Sub mechanism
Client-Server communication
• The full range of information model access is
available via services and in doing so follows the
design paradigm of service-oriented architecture
(SOA) with which a service provider receives
requests, processes them and sends the results
back with the response.
Publish-Subscribe (PubSub)
• Provides an alternative mechanism for data and
event notification. PubSub has been optimized for
many-to-many configurations.
• With PubSub, OPC UA applications do not directly
exchange requests and responses. Instead,
Publishers send messages to a Message Oriented
Middleware, without knowledge of what, if any,
Subscribers there may be. Similarly, Subscribers
express interest in specific types of data, and
process messages that contain this data, without a
need to know where it originated from.
PA DIM presentation
Slide 14 AEI

15. 02/15/2023
OPC UA and the PA DIM
PA DIM: Light weight, standardized information model
for monitoring and optimization implementing the
NAMUR information model
• Identification
• Diagnosis
• Process variables
• Core parameters
• FDI + PA DIM implement the NAMUR Open
Architecture
• Enable mapping from HART and fieldbus devices to
OPC UA in brownfield and greenfield application
PA DIM presentation
Slide 15 AEI

16. 02/15/2023
Notes / Questions ?
PA DIM presentation
AEI
Slide 16