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OPC Foundation and FieldComm to harmonize OPC UA-based field instruments

The OPC Foundation (OPCF) and the FieldComm Group (FCG) are collaborating to drive multi-vendor interoperability of instrumentation devices based on OPC UA and the extensions for the field level named OPC UA FX (Field eXchange). This development will incorporate preliminary work by both organizations.

This will ensure that the market will have only one single standard. The aim is to provide an interoperable interface between PLC/DCS and instrumentation devices, such as transmitters, instruments and actuators. The solution shall support different industries, including pulp and paper, chemicals, water and wastewater, energy, oil and gas and pharmaceuticals.

The OPC Foundation is hosting a new OPC UA Instrumentation Working Group under the leadership of the Field Level Communications (FLC) initiative. Members of the OPC Foundation and corporate entity members of the FieldComm Group will be able to participate.

Many well-known manufacturers in the process and factory automation industries are represented within this working group to ensure a uniform, worldwide and coordinated standard for OPC UA-based instrumentation devices.

The working group will add to the UAFX base specifications the definition of interfaces and behaviours typical for instrumentation devices.

These include the following:

• commonly used interfaces and data types for the industries mentioned above including functional safety,
• diagnostic information specific to instrumentation devices,
• operation modes of instrumentation devices,
• state machines and timing models for instrumentation-specific functionality, where appropriate.