For example, in the TPU plant shown below, the OPC UA-based monitoring and control system utilizes a three-tier architecture consisting of the AVEVA™ Edge Graphic Control System, which supports OPC UA clients, a UA communications server and I/O modules with OPC UA server functionality, as well as I/O modules or sensors that need to be connected to the communications server.

The main purpose of the Control Room SCADA is to provide visual information to plant managers to maintain the normal operation of the plant. Designed and deployed with AVEVA™ Edge, the Control Room SCADA can present real-time information and images of production lines, plant services, IP equipment security topology, and cameras, and display alarm messages when equipment is out of order, allowing managers to quickly troubleshoot abnormalities. In addition, the storage and utilization of real-time information is also an important function of the Control Room SCADA. The source of real-time information in the plant and production of the Control Room SCADA is obtained through the OPC UA protocol of TCP/IP, which is different from the map control architecture that uses Modbus TCP protocol, and the following is a list of the common differences of the protocols.

-       OPC UA has two communication modes, Client/Server and Publish-Subscribe, while Modbus uses a One Question One Answer Client/Server architecture for communication.

-       OPC UA incorporates security features like encryption, authentication, and access control, whereas Modbus does not.

-       Modbus is designed for industrial control systems and is typically used to access data from devices like programmable controllers, drives, and sensors.

-       OPC UA communicates based on the TCP/IP protocol, can be deployed on any hardware and software platform that supports this protocol and can interact with a variety of devices and systems regardless of their manufacturer or location. In comparison, Modbus is designed to work with a limited number of devices and systems that support the Modbus protocol.

The UA-2241M UA communication server, in this case, collects the data of the production line and factory equipment and then converts it to OPC UA protocol before providing it to the Control Room. There are two main benefits of switching to the OPC UA protocol, one is to reduce the number of communication packets, and the other is to ensure the security of data transmission at the TCP layer.

The UA I/O series U-7555M is used for factory lighting control. In addition to the advantages of the OPC UA protocol mentioned above, it also utilizes the logic control within the UA I/O to determine the actual on and off status of the lights, reducing the need to write development logic for the TPD-703. In addition, the scheduling function of the UA I/O can also schedule the factory lights to be turned off, avoiding the situation where the lights are not turned off during off-duty hours.

Ans: OPC UA Client is an application program that connects to the OPC UA Server and reads data. OPC UA Client is designed to communicate with a common industrial automation protocol called "OPC UA". The purpose of this protocol is to gain interconnectivity between different systems (e.g. workstations, tools, production machines, etc.) so that they can be exchanged and controlled within the same system. The main function of the OPC UA Client is to read data (e.g. sensor data, production data, etc.) from the OPC UA Server and display it in a readable form on the user interface.

OPC UA Client can fulfill the needs of the following systems, devices, or scenarios:

A. Industrial Automation Systems B. Smart Homes C. Micro Controllers D. IoT Systems E. Monitoring and Control Systems F. Production Automation Systems

Since the OPC UA Client can read and display data from many devices and equipment, it can be used as a cross-platform and cross-device data display application that is compatible with the latest industry standards. Before setting up an OPC UA Client, it is important to ensure that the communication adapter associated with the client is connected to the OPC UA Server to be accessed, which is usually a data network based on a computer networking protocol such as TCP/IP. By configuring the necessary connection parameters (e.g. URL, exchange protocol, etc.), the client can connect to Server.

Ans: OPC UA Server is an application program that provides data and information and is the core of OPC UA technology. In OPC UA, it is responsible for managing, collecting, storing, and distributing data. The role of OPC UA Server is similar to that of a hub controller, which can be connected to a variety of different clients to provide data access and exchange.

The main task of the OPC UA Server is to manage the data model, which describes the relationships between the different data items in the system. By integrating data into a unified data model, OPC UA Server can acquire data from a variety of different data sources. For example, an OPC UA Server can take data from PLCs, meters, sensors, and other devices, convert it to a uniform data format, and send it to the client.

In addition, the OPC UA Server is responsible for security and privilege management. It can ensure the security of data in the transmission process through encryption, access control, and authentication mechanisms. In addition, users can assign different privileges to different users through privilege management to protect the security of data.

Ans: The Client/Server communication model of OPC UA is the traditional communication architecture of OPC. The process starts with the Client sending a connection request to the Server, and then the Server verifies the identity and responds with the connection result. When the Client needs to get data from the Item on the Server side, it can send a request to the Server to subscribe and monitor the Item data, and when there is a change in the data on the Server side, it will actively respond to the Client, and when the Client needs to change the Item data, it needs to actively send a data write request to the Server, and the Server will respond to the right result. The Server will respond with the written result.
 

 

Ans: The following table shows the common OPC UA Client software on the PC.  

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Ans: Traditionally, the device information from the field cannot enter the IT network directly, so it is necessary to add PLC+HMI in the middle to send the device information from the field back to the IT network. Now, we can use ICP DAS UA series products to replace PLC+HMI directly.


 This application has been adopted by many petrochemical industries and is working well.

 

Ans: Local IT systems, such as the OSIsoft PI System, are equipped with OPC UA Client connectivity, which allows them to connect directly to OPC UA I/O or OPC UA communication servers.
 

Ans: Please refer to the following link for the operation of different devices and databases.

https://www.icpdas.com/en/faq/index.php?kind=326#950

 

Ans: After logging in to the UA I/O webpage, you can connect to IoTstar by following the procedure below

* Reduce the diffi culty of obtaining PLC data and save time for IT system setup
The IT system has to record the fl ow, pressure, and water quality data of the water fi lter. It’s diffi cult to read the contents of the PLC in the fi lter tray. By deploying UA-5231M, the UA-5231M can convert PLC data into OPC UA service, which can reduce the diffi culty of equipment and system integration.

This case is a solution for a multinational technology company. There was a computer with an OPC Server in the server room of the Taipei branch. Uses the Modbus protocol to monitor the air conditioner of PLC to the head office in Singapore to use the graphic control system to connect remotely. In the new solution, the Taipei branch's server room was upgraded to use UA-5231 instead of a PC, therefore, gaining many advantages. The owner's graphical control system supports both OPC Classic and OPC UA. Change the graphical communication to OPC UA. It’s an upgraded method with minimal changes.

* Advantages: Replaces computers, uses OPC UA to connect to OPC Classic
The UA-5231 is an embedded IIoT server with the advantages of smaller size, less heat dissipation, and long-term operation than a PC, and provides the latest version of OPC UA Server function of the industrial communication standard protocol OPC. Compared with OPC Classic, OPC UA provides fi rewall-friendly cross-domain communication and SSL/TLS encryption communication capabilities.

The farm automation solution controls the on-site cooling/heating/ventilation environmental equipment, lighting equipment, feeding equipment, and pigpen equipment through UA-5231M and the connected M-7000 modules. The upper controller XP-9000 manages daily feeding and drinking equipment of every pigpen and integrates the data of the water supply, feed volume and diet to the database, and then analyzes the data and adjusts the application to plan the best breeding solution.

The factory automatic solution uses the UA controller to obtain the information such as the safety status of the production line and the temperature, voltage and current status of the inverter, then transmits them to the SCADA control system for real-time factory management. Besides, the 4G wireless can help to integrate the machine status, temperature, product yield, production parameters, electricity consumption, etc. into the ERP system via the MQTT protocol for managing the production of the global factories.

Application Features:

• Fast Deployment (Small Broker)
• Cloud Communication (Guaranteed Delivery)

This security application provides active and non-active signal triggers for buildings, factories, etc. Through the IFTTT platform, it can send the message notification to the user-favorited APPs and instantly master the device information.

Application Features:

• DI or Switch Status Change Notification
• Message to Personal/Group of LINE APP
• More APPs: Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Weibo, etc.

This application for indoor air quality management combines with LED displays, fresh air equipment, etc. When the CO2 concentration exceeds the limit, the system will display information on the LED display, force to ventilation, and sends notifications via IFTTT platform to pre-assigned web software, such as Gmail, e-mail, Office 365 Mail, etc.

Application Features:

• Dead Band Boundary Trigger (High: Danger Alert, Low: Safety Notification)
• PC/Mobile Mail Notification (Gmail, e-mail, Office 365 Mail, Dropbox, etc.)
 

The Manufacturing Execution System (MES) communicates the factory equipment via OPC UA Client, and the OPC UA Service of the UA-5200 series can seamlessly integrate the system and equipment. The MES is the main solution for today's factory system, and the UA-5200 series IIoT Communication Server is the best choice for the IIoT factory solution.

Application Features:

• Convenient for System Integration
• Unified Access Interface

This application is mainly about how to manage the pumping device data from stations. UA-5231 series uploads the data of all pumping stations to the control center and manages/configures with the IWS software. In this case, the UA-5231 shortens the configuring and adjusting time. Without the complicated PC configuration, the UA-5231 directly connect the Modbus and OPC UA Server by completing all configuration easily and efficiently on the web.

Application Features:

• Cross Web Domain
• Security

This application allows two robotic arms interactive communication and coordinated operation through the MQTT, and do the data analysis and system monitor/control with the database of SQL, Big Data or SCADA through the OPC UA.

Application Features:

• Asynchronous Transmission
• Mobile Monitoring       

This IoT application mainly combines the video intercom indoor host HA-401 with the lighting control, air conditioning, security, temperature, humidity, PM2.5, CH4, HCHO, and other harmful substance sensing devices to create a safe and comfortable environment.

If there happens a special situation, UA can quickly trigger the event, send a message to notify the Web APP (ex: LINE, Weibo, Twitter, etc.). The dual UA architecture can reduce the system burden.

Application Features:

• Reduce System Burden
• APP Message Notify