Introduction to Yokogawa’s Open Process Automation Systems
Yokogawa Electric Corporation has unveiled its new OpreX Open Process Automation (OPA) systems, designed to revolutionize process control by supporting application portability and interoperability across different suppliers. With the release of the Open Automation SI Kit and the OPC UA Management Package, these solutions enable users to select and integrate best-in-class components into their process automation systems.
This advancement is part of Yokogawa's broader effort to adhere to the O-PAS (Open Process Automation Standard), a framework that optimizes operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness by providing open architecture and flexible component integration.
Key Features and Benefits of the OpreX OPA Systems
The OpreX OPA systems bring several key benefits to process industries, including:
- Interoperability: These systems are compatible with O-PAS standards, ensuring seamless communication between devices and applications regardless of the supplier.
- Cost Optimization: The open nature of the system allows users to select the most advanced, cost-effective technologies across various fields without being locked into proprietary systems.
- Flexibility and Scalability: With OPA systems, users can integrate devices such as PLCs and industrial PCs, allowing for scalable, future-proof solutions tailored to specific operational needs.
The Role of the Open Process Automation Forum (OPAF)
The Open Process Automation Forum (OPAF) plays a crucial role in defining the future of process control systems. By combining the latest IT/OT technologies with robust cybersecurity measures, OPAF has developed the O-PAS standard to enable the next generation of distributed control systems (DCS).
OPAF’s collaboration with leading industry players has led to the development of open, modular systems that allow seamless integration across a wide array of systems, from manufacturing execution systems (MES) to programmable logic controllers (PLCs). This standardization helps industries move towards a more agile, adaptive, and future-ready approach to automation.
OPC UA: The Backbone of Interoperability
At the heart of OPA systems lies OPC UA (Unified Architecture), the industrial communication standard recognized globally for its reliability, security, and scalability. OPC UA ensures that data is exchanged securely and consistently between various systems, which is vital for achieving Industry 4.0 goals.
Unlike traditional systems that are dependent on specific hardware or operating systems, OPC UA offers the flexibility to connect multiple devices and systems regardless of their vendor, enhancing overall system efficiency and reducing integration complexities.
The OpreX Open Automation SI Kit and OPC UA Management Package
OpreX Open Automation SI Kit
The OpreX Open Automation SI Kit is a set of tools designed to make hardware compatible with OPA systems. It enables devices to function as Distributed Control Nodes (DCNs) within the OPA framework. By creating data structures that adhere to the O-PAS information model, the SI Kit helps integrate diverse components into the system seamlessly.
OpreX OPC UA Management Package
The OpreX OPC UA Management Package is a software solution that ensures smooth operations across the OPA system. It manages key functions such as communication authentication, alias name resolution, and alarm parameter settings. This package simplifies the integration of new devices and applications into the OPC UA ecosystem, aligning them with OPA’s open standards and ensuring high-level security and reliability.
Enhanced System Integration and Security
The OPA system allows for the integration of industrial PCs and PLCs using the Open Automation SI Kit and OPC UA Management Package. By functioning as O-PAS DCNs, these devices become part of a secure, interoperable, and scalable process control system.
Yokogawa has put significant effort into testing and improving its OPA systems, working closely with customers and using testbeds to refine and optimize the technology. Through these proactive initiatives, Yokogawa ensures that the OPA systems meet the real-world needs of customers, delivering systems that are both cutting-edge and field-tested.
