In automation-engineering installations, there is a need to exchange process information between different devices. For this, OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) from OPC Foundation has become established as a standard protocol. However, rather than transmit requested OPC-UA subscriptions via the conventional OPC-UA session channel, the invention sets up a separate TSN data communication by means of which that subscription information is transmitted.

A method performed by an OPC UA client includes importing a node set file pertaining to an OPC UA-enabled automation device, the nodeset file defining validation logic used to validate data to be written to the automation device; preparing data to be written to the automation device; and using the validation logic to validate the prepared data. An alternative method includes importing a nodeset file pertaining to an automation device in which a OPC UA server is embedded, the nodeset file defining validation logic used to validate data to be written to the automation device; receiving data to be written to the automation device; and using the validation logic to validate the received data.

A module for a technical facility includes a technical hardware for executing a technical sub-process, a controller for locally controlling the technical hardware wherein the controller is configured to control the technical hardware autonomously and an external interface of the controller, wherein the external interface comprises an OPC-UA server. The OPC-UA server has a fixedly predetermined information structure having static information and dynamic information wherein the static information describes the technical hardware and the controller, and the controller writes the dynamic information as real-time values of the technical hardware into the information structure.

A system for data transmission between a client device, a server device and a plurality of automation devices, wherein the server device includes a descriptive representation of each of the plurality of automation devices, wherein the server device includes a server instance, which server instance is configured to load one of the descriptive representations based on a hostname identifying one of the plurality of automation devices, and wherein the server instance is configured to transmit data from the automation device to a client application on the client device based on the loaded descriptive representation of the automation device.

A process control system is provided which has at least one OPC client and one OPC server which communicate via a standardized OPC interface. Furthermore the process control system has at least two redundantly operated control devices which each communicate with the OPC server by means of a coupling device. Each control device is designed to provide process variables and status information. The status information contains the current role of the respective control device, wherein the current role is either that of a main control device or an auxiliary control device. The OPC server is designed to detect the main control device in response to the status information of at least one control device, to register a list of variables generated by the OPC client at the main control device and/or to transmit to the OPC client only the process variables which have been provided by the main control device.

There is expected a technique for restricting a server function without affecting a driving machine in the case where memory usage is increased. A controller includes a memory, a program execution section controlling a driving machine in accordance with a control program, and an OPC-UA server communicating with an external machine. The OPC-UA server includes: a function execution section, executing a function utilizing a memory region on the memory in response to a request from the external machine; a monitoring section monitoring usage of the memory; and a restriction section, stopping the above function of the OPC-UA server based on the fact that the usage has exceeded a predetermined threshold.

An improved alarm management system (ALMS) is described. In an embodiment, the improved alarm management system is configured to include a control system connected to multiple field devices in communication with an alarm management analysis system. The alarm management analysis system and control system can further be configured to communicate with the PI interface of a plant network. In a further embodiment, data from multiple ALMS can be aggregated offsite, processed, and configured to be displayed to offsite personnel.

The invention relates to a module for a technical facility comprising a technical hardware for executing a technical sub-process, a controller for locally controlling the technical hardware wherein the controller is configured to control the technical hardware automatically and an external interface of the controller, wherein the external interface comprises an OPC-UA server. The OPC-UA server has a fixedly predetermined information structure having static information and dynamic information wherein the static information describes the technical hardware and the controller, and the controller writes the dynamic information as real-time values of the technical hardware into the information structure. Furthermore, a corresponding method for controlling a technical facility is claimed.

A computer-implemented method for providing a generic diagnosis model at a node of an automation network, wherein the automation network has multiple subordinate field bus segments, each having multiple field bus subscribers, connected to the node and the method comprises the following steps: provision of specific diagnosis information by the field bus subscribers of the respective field bus segment; combination of the specific diagnosis information provided by the field bus subscribers at the node; transfer of all combined diagnosis information to the generic diagnosis model, wherein the specific diagnosis information is additionally enriched with meta information, so that the generic diagnosis model can be used to access specific diagnosis information of the respective field bus subscriber.

An adaptive process control system and corresponding method for independent steering of plant control systems is provided, wherein a plant associated with the plant control system includes a plurality of interlocked elements of one or more operational unit of the plant. The operation of an operational unit is controlled by the plant control system by means of the elements interlocked to the plant control system, wherein the adaptive, independent process control system is accessible by a plant process engine including a plant controller unit connected via the supervisory control and data acquisition unit with at least one programmable logic controller of the plant control system. The operation of the plant and the operational units is controlled by means of the programmable logic controller and the plurality of interlocked elements.