For Industry 4.0 application, an OPC UA Server will be the virtual interface between the cloud and the sensors in the field.

Therefore, the OPC UA Server has to apply the following functions:

  • Find all IO-Link Masters
  • Find IO-Link Devices
  • Download IODD of connected devices
  • Build up information model
  • Record all replacement of connected devices and update information model
  • Capture the status of connected devices
  • Read cyclic IO data
  • Read ISDU parameter sets

The Edge Gateway must find IO-Link Masters of all types and vendors in the same way. No vendor-specific implementation shall be necessary.