OPC UA - Revolutionary Standard for Industrial Connectivity

• What is OPC UA?
• Enabling Signal Conditioners with OPC UA
• Integration and system topologies

OPC UA is one of the world’s most successful standards for electrical communication, with a focus on integrating industrial equipment into a cohesive and communicative system. It can connect to multiple components as actors (motors or valves) controls (PLC´s) and digital signal conditioners with measurement function to improve data collection and parameter controls, with cross-platform capabilities that are not hindered by inherently rigid programming. Perhaps the most important characteristic of OPC UA however, is that OPC as standard is available for Windows for years and the extended standard UPC-UA is freely available as an open source under a GPL 2.0 license, which enables users to edit and alter the software according to their industrial specifications.

This revolutionary standard for industrial connectivity improves upon established interface networks by enabling universal connections between machines (M2M communication) through signal conditioners, irrespective of the mechanical similarities or shared strengths between components.

To benefit from this network, signal conditioners must feature OPC UA capabilities. Direct OPC UA interfaces are widely manufactured for a broad range of products, which are integrated into the component’s design.

Implementing the OPC UA protocol in the CPU and using the standard Ethernet interface (TCP/IP) follows the OPC UA standards, allowing for multiple connections with various interfaces, data acquisitions and control systems. This offers the benefit that OPC UA can be used for data-transmission to a sever or a cloud for data mining and generating new application for service and production control.

The ClipX operates on a Plug and Play principle, which allows for connection to up to six simultaneous devices synchronized to each other or several hundreds running a single digital measuring chain in the fieldbus network.HBM is an expert in the field of signal conditioning, offering a wide range of products for optimizing industrial production processes.

Related Content