Asset Administration Shell Design Methodology Using Embedded OPC Unified Architecture Server
This article captures the current trends in the development of communication interoperability and common data modelling for the integration of devices into Industry 4.0 networks. The use of open standards such as the Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) or the Asset Administration Shell (AAS) concept is the only way to achieve global communication and semantic interoperability. This article presents an original methodology of AAS implementation into an embedded system, dramatically reducing system requirements. The proposed workflow of the I4.0 component creation includes a procedure for the implementation of the AAS in the OPC UA information model. This methodology was verified by creating an intelligent sensor as a specific I4.0 cyber-physical system based on the 32 bit Arm Cortex Microcontroller. The outcome is the AAS as an “Embedded Industry 4.0 Component” hosted by a minimalist hardware; this is the very first design and implementation of a device with such parameters. Compared to recent studies (which implement certain types of AAS devices), the system requirements of the proposed embedded AAS are in the order of hundreds lower. The presented novel methodology enables developers and industrial manufacturers to implement relatively simple devices (e.g., smart sensors or actuators) as I4.0 Components.