This model is provided to model AutomationComponents in OPC UA FX. In OPC UA FX, an AutomationComponent is an entity that performs one or more automation functions and provides connection capabilities defined in this document. The AutomationComponentType is composed of two major sub-models: the asset model and the functional model. It also provides information related to OfflineEngineering (see OPC 10000-83) and general metadata such as communication capabilities and health status. Figure 1 illustrates this model. For a formal definition of the AutomationComponentType, see 6.2.
Asset information is typically used to describe physical items, but it can also include items that are not physical, such as firmware or licenses. FunctionalEntities encapsulate logical functionality, which can include function blocks, IO module functionality, drive functionality, sensor functionality, actuator functionality, or more complex logical items. FunctionalEntities can be related to Assets, and representation of such relationships is included in the model. Both Assets and FunctionalEntities can be nested. The Information Model also includes relationships between FunctionalEntities. For a detailed description of the asset model, see the definition of FxAssetType in 6.3. For a detailed description of the FunctionalEntity model, see the definition of FunctionalEntityType in 6.4. For a description of the available ReferenceTypes in this Information Model, see 11.1.
Figure 1 – OPC UA FX Information Model overview
The Information Model is defined to be either used as a base for modelling an AutomationComponentType or for extending an existing Information Model with OPC UA FX-defined functionality. When used as a base model, it is expected that it will require subtyping to add information specific to a component or model, such as variables, or to provide context, e.g., to describe the temperature value in a device that represents a temperature sensor reading. Examples of extending the existing model and using the base model are provided in Annex B.
The AutomationComponentType also includes information related to the offline configuration. For a detailed description of OfflineEngineering, see OPC 10000-83.