The OPC UA FX specification is a multi-part document made up of 5 parts.

Part 80 (OPC 10000-80) – UAFX Overview and Concepts

Part 80 (this part) presents the OPC UA Field eXchange (UAFX) summary.

Part 81 (OPC 10000-81) – UAFX Connecting Devices and Information Model

Part 81 specifies the UAFX Information Model and describes how it can be used to meet the communication requirements of industrial automation.

Part 82 (OPC 10000-82) – UAFX Networking

Part 82 defines the general networking requirements for UAFX.

Part 83 (OPC 10000-83) – UAFX OfflineEngineering

Part 83 specifies the data structures used for sharing information that supports the OfflineEngineering of UAFX systems.

Part 84 (OPC 10000-84) – UAFX Profiles

Part 84 specifies the OPC UA and networking profiles required for OPC UA FX compliance.

Figure 1 shows the UAFX communication stack architecture and how it relates to the layer model of OPC UA.

Figure 1 – OPC UA FX communication stack architecture

OPC UA FX extends the core OPC UA functionality for field-level communications. The foundation of the UAFX Information Model is the AutomationComponent. The AutomationComponent is an entity representing one or more Assets that may perform automation functions represented by FunctionalEntities. The AutomationComponent can also provide health status. See OPC 10000-81 for more details regarding the AutomationComponent model.

OPC UA FX also adds definitions for network services and component models for End Stations and Bridges. Profiles defining the selection of specific networking services supported by these component models are specified in OPC 10000-84.

UAFX supports the exchange of standard and safety process data simultaneously. See OPC 10000-15 for AutomationComponents that support safety.

Future Profiles will be developed for Motion, I/O, and types of process instruments. Specifications, including Information Models, developed for those types of products will build upon the AutomationComponent model.