Standardized access to process data

Automation solutions require the integration of a number of components: Hardware such as controllers, drives, sensors as well as applications, for example, for operator control and monitoring or for process data management. The combination of devices and applications from different manufacturers within a single plant solution often causes problems. OPC is a uniform procedure that allows Windows applications to access process data. This makes it easy to combine devices and applications produced by other manufacturers. The OPC Foundation was set up in order to define and update the OPC interface standard. It is supported by some 300 leading companies in the automation industry, including Siemens. Microsoft is guaranteeing Windows compatibility.

Product Brief April 2003

OPC products

Overview of OPC servers/clients

In its current form, OPC (OLE for Process Control) is based on Microsofts COM (Component Object Model). OPC extensions for XML are currently in preparation. COM objects can be distributed transparently in the network, clients have access by means of DCOM (Distributed COM). This means that, for example, an Excel macro can read data from a programmable controller and display it graphically using the OPC interface. Process data can be monitored using any SCADA system which has an OPC interface. Benefits of OPC OPC offers the following benefits to both manufacturers and users of industrial hardware and software: For the manufacturer of automation components, the effort of developing driver software is reduced down to the cost of a single OPC interface. The manufacturer can concentrate on the functionality of the automation solution. This reduces development times and cuts costs. The user can concentrate fully on the solution to the automation problem, as the integration of the devices required is guaranteed. The hassle of having incorrect or inappropriate drivers is now a thing of the past! This significantly reduces integration costs.

Design The OPC architecture is essentially based on two components: OPC server OPC client OPC server An OPC server is an implementation of an OPC interface. Applications use the services of the OPC server exclusively via the interface defined by OPC. The OPC server is the component which provides standardized methods for the following services, for example: reading, changing or monitoring process variables (Data Access) monitoring of interrupts/alarms with optional filters (Alarm & Event) extracting or changing archive data (Historical Data Access) security and batch functions An OPC server can be the direct reproduction of a process device or can represent data which has already been processed by an application. OPC client OPC clients use the standardized OPC interface of the OPC server to access process data. The following are some examples of OPC clients: SCADA systems Manufacturing Execution Systems Microsoft Office Tools

OPC products for automation and drive technology Siemens provides OPC servers and clients in all relevant sectors of automation and drive technology in an effort to rationalize systems, save costs and increase productivity. SIMATIC NET OPC server The SIMATIC NET OPC server supports PC interfacing - for instance for visualization - to random automation components which are networked with Industrial Ethernet or PROFIBUS. The following are available for accessing and are included in the corresponding SIMATIC NET software: Industrial Ethernet: S7 communication, S5 compatible communication (SEND/RECEIVE), TCP/IP native communication PROFIBUS: S7 communication, S5 compatible communication, FMS communication, DP communication The supplementary PN-OPC server supports access to the PROFInet (PN) variables and implements communication within the framework of Component based Automation. The SNMP OPC server provides data for administration of TCP/IP networks of random OPC client systems. It permits access, for example, to device status and load statistic variables of random SMNP-capable network nodes.

The SIMATIC NET OPC server has an automation and custom interface for data access and alarm & event specifications. An XML interface for data access enables exchange of OPC data over the Internet. At the same time, access is provided for other platforms. An OPC DX interface will be available soon. OCX data controls are made available for the simple implementation of client applications. Commissioning is easier using an OPC Scout as client with browser functionality. SIMATIC WinAC as OPC server WinAC is the SIMATIC solution for PC-based automation. WinAC is not only a controller, but also an open integration platform for the solution of various functions on the PC, e.g. data processing, visualization or technology. SIMATIC WinAC contains an OPC server which makes all the production and process data of the controller to any OPC client. SINUMERIK HMI programming package as OPC server Programming and configuration packages enable the manufacturers of machine tools maximum flexibility within the framework of Open Architecture. Technology-specific programming systems and consistent proprietary operating philosophies can be implemented with the aid of the SINUMERIK HMI programming package. The integrated OPC server ensures openness to higher-level systems. The configuration package based on ProTool/Pro generates user interfaces which allow OPC clients to access data. SIMATIC ProTool/Pro as OPC server and client SIMATIC ProTool/Pro is the runtime software for on-site PC-based visualization it is best suited to machine and process-related single-user systems. The integrated OPC interface enables data transfer, especially in heterogeneous networked automation solutions. ProTool/Pro uses the integrated OPC server to make process data available to any OPC clients. The data transfer between the OPC server and client is either directly via an Ethernet connection using TCP/IP, or the external application provides an OPC server interface on the same computer.
OPC data exchange using SIMATIC WinCC

Communication to other OPC servers, e.g. controllers made by other manufacturers, utilizes the OPC client functionality. SIMATIC WinCC as OPC server and client The SIMATIC WinCC SCADA system has drivers for most automation devices as well as an OPC interface. The integrated OPC DA server makes the process data available to other OPC-compatible applications, e.g. MS Excel or IndustrialDataBridge, so it can be processed further. This means: multiple clients can access the data in parallel clients can be connected/disconnected while the system is running data can be transferred to the clients when it is changed As an OPC client, SIMATIC WinCC can call data from other OPC servers available locally or on the network. It is also possible to access multiple servers in parallel. To make configuration easier, it is possible to browse the network for available OPC servers using a browser. This means that variables can also be selected directly on these servers.

The implementation of the OPC server and client system makes it possible to set up simple cascaded WinCC stations. The higher-level station can then access the variables of the lower-level stations. This means that data can also be transferred between different single-user systems. New in V6.0: OPC DA server for connecting OPC clients to redundant WinCC systems OPC Alarm&Event Server (OPC A&E) for forwarding alarms to random OPC clients. This makes it possible, for example, for remote information systems to respond and receive evaluations. A maximum of 10 associated process values are transmitted per alarm. OPC Historical Data Access Server (OPC HDA) for access to all process values stored in the WinCC database (SQL server) OPC A&E and OPC HDA are part of the WinCC/Connectivity Pack option.

OPC products, Technical specifications

SIMATIC IT server as OPC server and OPC client The SIMATIC IT server plays a central role in the integration of SIMATIC IT MES projects with the aim of coodinating the business and production processes. MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) link the ERP business processes with the production processes and plants at the automation level. SIMATIC IT is an MES concept, consisting of a basic MES functionality (FRAMEWORK, cross-sector) and a series of components for specific functions.

As an OPC server, SIMATIC IT server enables any number of OPC clients to access data of other applications connected to the SIMATIC IT server (both via OPC and not via OPC). As an OPC client, SIMATIC IT server can make data from any number of OPC servers (such as runtime data, history or interrupts/events) available globally by means of XML.

IndustrialDataBridge as OPC client The IndustrialDataBridge is an independent communications software. It enables data to be exchanged between different systems using standards such as OPC through simple configuration and without programming. Data can be exchanged between automation systems of various manufacturers using OPC modules. They can also be used as process data in Office formats such as Excel or Access. Databases can be used for archiving larger amounts of data. Different communications modules can be combined and expanded.

Term OPC

Meaning OPC stands for OLE for Process Control OPC is based on the core OLE technologies COM and DCOM. Extensions for XML are currently in preparation. Object Linking and Embedding. In order to make objects implemented on different platforms or computer architectures compatible with one another, it must be determined how these platforms interpret an object. For this, something called an object model is required. OLE uses the COM model (Component Object Model). This defines the standard for interaction of components. COM enables calls within a process, to another process and even to another computer. The object model for inter-computer calls is known as DCOM (Distributed Component Object Model) which is integrated into the operating system in Windows NT 4.0 and above. Simple Network Management Protocol: Communications protocol for linking nodes to a Network Management Station over the network Extensible Markup Language: Meta markup language for describing structured data

OLE COM

DCOM SNMP XML

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Siemens AG 2003 Subject to change without prior notice

All designationsmarked in this Product Brief with are registered trademarks of Siemens AG.