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        OPC UA

        Siemens supports the open communication standard OPC UA for Industrial Ethernet

        On the path to digitalization – thanks to open, platform-neutral communication with OPC UA

        When it comes to networking and standardization or cybersecurity – the requirements for industrial networks are increasing at an ever-faster pace. In this problematic area, the open, Ethernet-based OPC UA (Open Platform Communications – Unified Architecture) communication standard is experiencing rapid growth. With its integrated security mechanisms, vendor- and platform-independent OPC UA provides the best foundation conditions for digitalization.   Siemens relies on OPC UA for vertical connection and for communication between machines (M2M) – and it’s combining the advantages of OPC UA with those of PROFINET in Industrial Ethernet networks.

        Do you want to learn more about OPC UA? Our experts will be happy to advise you.

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        Expert Talk I Sven Gottwald, Head of System Management for Process Industries and Drives, Process Automation DE Business Unit, Siemens

        In our Expert Talk you will quickly find out what OPC UA and OPC UA with TSN is really all about.

        Do you ask yourself, for example, which applications can be realized with OPC UA PubSub based on TSN?

        Or which different approaches are being pursued by IIC and LNI4.0?

        Sven Gottwald, Head of System Management at Siemens AG, gives answers to these and other questions.

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        The OPC UA standard

        A milestone for automation in the digital environment

        OPC UA (Open Platform Communications – Unified Architecture) is an open standard for horizontal communication from machine to machine (M2M) and for vertical communication from machine all the way to the cloud. It’s vendor- and platform-independent, supports extensive security mechanisms, and can be optimally combined with PROFINET in a shared Industrial Ethernet network.
        PROFINET and OPC UA – important standards on the path to digitalization
        OPC UA has integrated security aspects and provides the best conditions for Industrie 4.0 and the digitalization of automation

        OPC UA speeds up the digitalization of your company

        To handle the requirements of tomorrow’s industry, industrial networks will need to be able to meet ever-increasing demands. Companies will need convergent, end-to-end, secured networks that are flexibly scalable, dynamically adaptable, and able to accommodate large numbers of users – naturally, with the fastest possible response times.

        OPC UA is an important component: The open, platform-neutral communication standard enables seamless communication with third-party applications and can be flexibly scaled to meet specific requirements. With its semantic capabilities, OPC UA supports more than just data transmission: It also contains a unique information model. Proven security mechanisms like authentication, authorization, and encryption guarantee a secure connection. In addition, PROFIsafe mechanisms are being prepared for OPC UA to permit standardized, safety-related communication between machines. OPC UA can also be integrated into existing Industrial Ethernet networks and can run on the existing PROFINET infrastructure without compromising performance.

        That’s why Siemens relies on OPC UA as the number-one open interface from the control level to higher-level SCADA, MES, and ERP systems all the way to the cloud.

        Communication mechanisms for different requirements

        OPC UA client/server

        OPC UA with client/server communication is used extensively in automation. With this proven, one-to-one communication mechanism, each OPC UA client obtains access to the data on the OPC UA server via point-to-point communication. The OPC UA client sends a request to the OPC UA server, from which it receives a response. This form of communication enables a reliable, secure, encrypted data exchange with reduced bandwidth and no loss of data, even if the environment and network quality are sub-optimal and are experiencing disturbances. Client/server communication is always based on TCP/IP.

        OPC UA PubSub

        In the OPC UA with PubSub (publish/subscribe) model, a one-to-many or many-to-one communication mechanism is used: A publisher makes data available that can be received by any number of subscribers in the network. OPC UA PubSub communication can be transmitted via UDP or directly on layer 2. Depending on the technology used, this can result in short cycle times. In conjunction with Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN), OPC UA PubSub therefore enables real-time communication at the control level and meets the demands of time-critical applications.

        OPC UA based on TSN

        Siemens points the way – with TSN-based OPC UA

        Another step into the digital future and towards IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things)

        Guaranteed, scalable bandwidths, optimized Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms, real-time capability, and very low transmission latency in communication networks: Siemens relies on Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) to get the most out of automation networks while meeting constantly growing requirements. As a result, communication from machine to machine and from machine all the way up to the operator level can achieve new heights in terms of speed and reliability. TSN is defined within the framework of IEEE 802.1 and combines a series of individual standards that affect only the data-link communication layer (layer 2).

        Good reasons to use OPC UA

        Features

        • Vendor-independent and platform-neutral
        • Integrated security concept (encryption, signing, and authentication)
        • Consistent, end-to-end, and scalable
        • Information model and semantic services
        • Unlimited parallel operation with PROFINET
        • Real-time capability of OPC UA PubSub in combination with Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN)

        Benefits

        • Standardized interface and widespread availability
        • Secured communication directly in the protocol with no additional hardware
        • Direct connection and communication across all automation levels
        • Easy and unambiguous interpretation of data
        • Simple Ethernet-based networking, uses existing Industrial Ethernet infrastructure
        • Internationally standardized interfaces for simple machine integration (companion specifications)
        • High performance thanks to fast communication
        • When TSN hardware and OPC UA PubSub are used, OPC UA data can be transmitted deterministically, independent of the network load

        OPC UA and PROFINET – together into the future

        Tom Burke, President and Executive Director of the OPC UA Foundation, talks about the Cooperation with Siemens and the technology around PROFINET, OPC UA, and TSN.
        Industrial Ethernet: a shared network for OPC UA and PROFINET
        Strong protocols to meet all requirements: OPC UA and PROFINET interact seamlessly
        OPC UA facilitates integration into existing systems and the integration of third-party systems. And OPC UA can be integrated into PROFINET.

        Development with outstanding prospects

        Siemens is a founding member of the OPC Foundation and supports OPC UA across the entire TIA portfolio.

        Open Platform Communications – Unified Architecture (OPC UA) was developed by the OPC Foundation, which was created in 1996 with Siemens as a founding member. The OPC Foundation is an international nonprofit organization with over 450 members from all sectors of industry. It works closely with users and vendors to develop the open, vendor-independent standard – and it does so successfully, according to this statement by Holger Junker of the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI): “The only communication technology in the factory with implicit security features and the potential to meet the challenges posed by Industrie 4.0 that I am aware of today is OPC UA.”

        Learn more about OPC UA:

        Open OPC UA flyer
        OPC UA portfolio

        Siemens products and systems with OPC UA interface + supporting tools

        Siemens offers a comprehensive hardware and software portfolio for Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) that extends from the field level to the control and operater levels. As an open communication standard, OPC UA plays an important role for the entire TIA portfolio.
        Overview of Siemens products with OPC UA

        MES

        For a consistent, end-to-end, standardized, open, and homogeneous system environment all the way to the MES level, OPC UA is supported by:

        • SIMATIC IT

        SCADA system

        For an open data connection at the SCADA level, OPC UA is supported by:

        • SIMATIC PCS 7
        • WinCC OA RT
        • WinCC V7 RT
        • WinCC Professional RT

        Network management

        Transmit data within a network and to cloud-based systems via OPC UA:

        • SINEMA Server

        Energy management

        For exchanging energy data with third-party systems and products, OPC UA is supported by:

        • SIMATIC Energy Manager PRO

        Industrial communication

        For industrial communication via OPC UA:

        • SIMATIC NET software
        • TeleControl Server Basic

        Controllers

        For a vendor-neutral connection between controllers and Industrial Ethernet networks:

        • SIMATIC OPC UA S7-1500
        • SIMATIC S7-400 with 443-1 OPC UA communication processor

        Operation and monitoring

        From HMI applications to diagnostic and signaling software for industrial PCs, OPC UA is supported by:

        • SIMATIC Comfort Panel
        • SIMATIC WinCC RT Advanced
        • SIMATIC IPC DiagMonitor V5.0

        IoT gateways

        As an intelligent gateway to the cloud, OPC UA is supported by:

        • MindConnect Nano
        • MindConnect IoT2000
        • SIMATIC IOT2000

        Motion control

        For production machines and machine tools – motion control systems that support OPC UA for cross-vendor and cross-platform data exchange:

        • SIMOTION IT

        CNC controllers

        Access the right machine tools more flexibly and easily with application-specific information models thanks to OPC UA for:

        • SINUMERIK 828D
        • SINUMERIK 840D SI

        RFID systems

        Standardized connection to cloud applications via an Industrial IoT Gateway:

        • SIMATIC RF600
        • SIMATIC RF18xC and SIMATIC RF18xCI       

        Motor management and control devices

        Motor management and control devices with an OPC UA server for a flexible interface from the switchboard:

        • SIMOCODE pro V PN

        Soft starter

        Soft starter with a OPC UA server function for open communication with visualization and control systems:

        • SIRIUS 3RW44 soft starter

        Power supply systems

        Easily integrate power supply systems into automation applications with OPC UA clients from different manufacturers:

        • SITOP PSU8600 power supply system
        • SITOP UPS1600 uninterruptible power supply

        Supporting tools

        Map or define OPC UA interfaces with the free tool:

        • Siemens OPC UA Modeling Editor (SiOME)
        Downloads, support, service

        Even more OPC UA for you

        Take advantage of additional sources of information to learn more about OPC UA, the open communication standard for the digital future and Industrie 4.0. Brochures, informational materials, technical data, FAQs, and services – you’ll find them all here!

        Brochures & flyers

        Technical Support

        Fast, expert support for all your technical queries – even for products that have been discontinued or are no longer available for delivery

        Technical Support

        SITRAIN – Digital Industry Academy

        Further education for all Siemens industrial products - directly from the manufacturer, individually, with the latest methods.

        Training Services SITRAIN

        Financial solutions for your success

        We provide financial and technological expertise to help you boost your competitiveness

        Tailored financing solutions
        News, media, and events

        The latest on OPC UA

        We provide you with the latest information on new OPC UA products and features, standard-related publications and media, and details about trade shows and events where you can visit us and let us answer your questions.
        Trade show
        Hanover

        Hannover Messe 2019

        Visit us from April 1 to 5, 2019, at Hannover Messe in Hall 9, Booth D35.
        Magazine
        Product news

        News for the digital company

        Our magazine summarizes current product developments and trends in automation.
        Press

        Siemens relies on TSN

        Siemens relies on Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) for industrial communication and demonstrates the concept on a trade show model from the discrete industries at Hannover Messe 2018.
        Press

        Siemens demonstrates an industry-specific implementation of the Digital Enterprise

        At Hannover Messe 2018, Siemens uses numerous examples to show how users and consumers can unlock the potential of Industrie 4.0 with Digital Enterprise solutions.
        Press

        PROFIsafe for OPC UA

        The OPC Foundation and PI signed a memorandum of understanding to create the “PROFIsafe over OPC UA” specification for fail-safe communication between controllers.
        Technical article

        From the sensor directly to the cloud

        The Unified Architecture Protocol of the Open Platform Communications Foundation (OPC UA) greatly simplifies the integration of different systems into an IT or automation architecture.

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        Our experts are ready to help

        Do you want to know more about OPC UA and the Siemens strategy? Would you like more specific information on how OPC UA and PROFINET will interact in the future? Our experts are happy to help.

        We’re happy to answer all your questions about OPC UA:

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