AutomationML ExternalDataReferences interfaces allow one to define references from XML content inside of an AML file to non-AML files.

ExternalDataReferences interfaces shall be used if the reference target is not an AML file. The target can be inside or outside of the Descriptor.

For defining the reference target, the URI syntax, including the Pack URI syntax for reference targets that are contained in Descriptors, shall be used.

For a concrete reference, an interface shall be used that is either an ExternalDataReference or derived from ExternalDataReference.

An example of an ExternalDataReference to a document contained in a Descriptor is shown in Figure 18, with the code following the figure.

Figure 18 – Example of an ExternalDataReference in a Descriptor

<ExternalInterface

 Name=“ManualReference”

 ID=“4db4782f-98f2-42a0-a10b-11b3ac7d014d”

 RefBaseClassPath=“AutomationMLInterfaceClassLib/AutomationMLBaseInterface/

ExternalDataConnector/ExternalDataReference” xmlns=”http://www.dke.de/CAEX”>

 <Attribute

    Name=“refURI”

    AttributeDataType=“xs:anyURI”

    RefAttributeType=“AutomationMLBaseAttributeTypeLib/refURI”>

    <Value>file:///attachments/manual.pdf</Value>

 </Attribute>

 <Attribute

    Name=“MIMEType”

    AttributeDataType=“xs:string”

    RefAttributeType=“AutomationMLBaseAttributeTypeLib/MIMEType”>

    <Value>application/pdf</Value>

 </Attribute>

</ExternalInterface>