OPC UA Open Platform Communications

OPC (Open Platform Communications) is a set of standards for interoperability

between industrial control systems and computers. It is a widely used
communication protocol in the industrial automation industry, and it enables
the exchange of data between different devices and systems from different
manufacturers.

OPC is based on the client/server architecture, where OPC clients send

requests for data or to perform certain actions to OPC servers, which provide
access to the data or perform the requested actions. OPC servers are typically
connected to the field devices, such as sensors, actuators, and controllers, and
expose their data and functionality to OPC clients. OPC clients can be any type
of software application that needs to access and control the field devices, such
 as HMI (Human-Machine Interface) software, SCADA (Supervisory Control and
Data Acquisition) systems, or custom applications.

OPC supports various communication protocols, including serial protocols like

RS-232 and RS-485, Ethernet-based protocols like Modbus TCP, and fieldbus
protocols like PROFINET, EtherCAT, and CANopen. It also supports different
data models, such as the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) and the Fieldbus
Message Specification (FMS), which define the structure and format of the
data exchanged between the devices.

Overall, OPC enables seamless communication and integration between

different devices and systems in the industrial automation environment, which
helps to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase the reliability of the
overall system.
• OPC was first developed in the mid-1990s by a group of industrial automation
companies, with the goal of creating a standard for communication between
control systems and computers. The first version of the OPC specification, OPC
Data Access (DA), was released in 1996. Since then, OPC has evolved to
include additional specifications for different types of communication and
data models, such as OPC Alarms and Events (AE), OPC Historical Data Access
(HDA), and OPC Unified Architecture (UA).
• OPC uses a common interface called the OPC COM (Component Object
Model) interface, which allows OPC clients and servers to communicate with
each other using the COM technology. The COM interface provides a set of
functions and methods that can be used to access the data and functionality
exposed by the OPC servers. OPC clients can be written in any language or
platform that supports COM, such as C++, C#, VB.NET, and Java.
• OPC servers typically expose their data and functionality through a set of
items, which are logical representations of the data or actions that the server
can provide. OPC clients can browse the list of items exposed by the OPC
servers and select the ones they need to access. OPC clients can also subscribe
to the items to receive notifications when the values of the items change.
• OPC is widely used in many industries, including manufacturing, oil and gas,
utilities, and transportation. It is particularly useful in applications that require
real-time data exchange and control, such as process control, machine
automation, and distributed control systems. OPC is also used in applications
 that require the integration of different devices and systems, such as MES
(Manufacturing Execution Systems) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
systems.
• OPC has become a de facto standard in the industrial automation industry,
and it is supported by many major automation vendors and organizations.
There are also several OPC foundations and consortia that promote the use
and development of OPC, and provide resources and tools for OPC users and
developers.
• OPC servers typically expose their data and functionality through a set of
items, which are logical representations of the data or actions that the server
can provide. OPC clients can browse the list of items exposed by the OPC
servers and select the ones they need to access. OPC clients can also subscribe
to the items to receive notifications when the values of the items change.
• OPC supports different data types and formats, such as integers, floating-
point numbers, strings, and arrays. OPC also supports different data access
modes, including reading, writing, and subscribing to data. OPC clients can
use these modes to retrieve the values of the items, change the values of the
items, or receive notifications when the values of the items change.
• OPC servers can be implemented in a variety of ways, depending on the
specific requirements and capabilities of the devices and systems they are
connected to. OPC servers can be implemented as standalone software
applications, as device drivers, or as firmware running on the devices
themselves. OPC servers can also be implemented as gateways or bridges that
connect different types of devices and protocols, such as fieldbus protocols
and Ethernet-based protocols.
• OPC clients and servers can be deployed in different configurations,
depending on the needs of the application. In some cases, OPC clients and
servers can be installed on the same computer, while in other cases they can
be installed on separate computers and connected over a network. OPC clients
and servers can also be deployed in a distributed architecture, where multiple
OPC clients and servers communicate with each other over a network.
• OPC is a flexible and powerful communication protocol that enables the
integration of different devices and systems in the industrial automation
environment. However, it is important to design and implement OPC systems
carefully, taking into account the specific requirements and constraints of the
 application. Proper design and implementation can help to ensure the
reliability, performance, and security of the OPC system.
what are the functions of OPC?
OPC (Open Platform Communications) is a communication protocol that
enables the exchange of data and functionality between different devices and
systems in the industrial automation environment. Here are some of the main
functions of OPC:

1. Data exchange: OPC allows clients to access and retrieve data from servers,
and servers to expose data to clients. OPC clients can read the values of items
exposed by the OPC servers, and OPC servers can send updates to the clients
when the values of the items change. This enables real-time data exchange
between different devices and systems.
2. Control: OPC allows clients to send requests to servers to perform certain
actions or control the devices and systems connected to the servers. For
example, an OPC client can send a request to an OPC server to start or stop a
motor, or to change the setpoint of a temperature controller.
3. Integration: OPC enables the integration of different devices and systems from
different manufacturers, by providing a standard interface for communication.
This allows OPC clients and servers to communicate with each other
regardless of the specific protocol or data model used by the devices and
systems.
4. Monitoring: OPC allows clients to subscribe to the items exposed by the
servers, and receive notifications when the values of the items change. This
enables OPC clients to monitor the status and performance of the devices and
systems connected to the servers, and take appropriate actions if needed.
5. Diagnostics: OPC servers can expose diagnostic information, such as error
codes and status messages, through the items they expose. OPC clients can
access this information to troubleshoot problems and optimize the
performance of the devices and systems connected to the servers.
OPC servers expose their data and functionality through a set of items, which
are logical representations of the data or actions that the server can provide.
OPC clients can browse the list of items exposed by the OPC servers and select
the ones they need to access. OPC clients can also subscribe to the items to
receive notifications when the values of the items change.
• OPC supports different data types and formats, such as integers, floating-
point numbers, strings, and arrays. OPC also supports different data access
modes, including reading, writing, and subscribing to data. OPC clients can
use these modes to retrieve the values of the items, change the values of the
items, or receive notifications when the values of the items change.
• OPC clients and servers communicate with each other using the OPC COM
(Component Object Model) interface, which is based on the COM technology.
The COM interface provides a set of functions and methods that can be used
to access the data and functionality exposed by the OPC servers. OPC clients
can be written in any language or platform that supports COM, such as C++,
C#, VB.NET, and Java.
• OPC servers can be implemented in a variety of ways, depending on the
specific requirements and capabilities of the devices and systems they are
connected to. OPC servers can be implemented as standalone software
applications, as device drivers, or as firmware running on the devices
themselves. OPC servers can also be implemented as gateways or bridges that
connect different types of devices and protocols, such as fieldbus protocols
and Ethernet-based protocols.
• OPC clients and servers can be deployed in different configurations,
depending on the needs of the application. In some cases, OPC clients and
servers can be installed on the same computer, while in other cases they can
be installed on separate computers and connected over a network. OPC clients
and servers can also be deployed in a distributed architecture, where multiple
OPC clients and servers communicate with each other over a network.
what are the limitations of OTC?
OPC (Open Platform Communications) is a widely used communication
protocol in the industrial automation industry, and it has many benefits and
capabilities. However, like any other technology, it also has some limitations
that should be considered when designing and implementing OPC systems:

1. Performance: OPC is a client/server protocol, which means that OPC clients

send requests to OPC servers and receive responses from them. This can
introduce some delay in the communication process, depending on the
network latency and the processing time of the servers. In applications that
 require very fast data exchange and control, such as high-speed machine
automation, OPC may not be the most suitable solution.
2. Scalability: OPC servers can handle a limited number of concurrent
connections from OPC clients, depending on their design and implementation.
If the number of OPC clients or the amount of data exchanged between the
clients and servers increases significantly, the OPC server may become
overloaded and may not be able to handle the load efficiently.
3. Security: OPC servers typically expose their data and functionality to any OPC
client that can connect to them, which can pose a security risk if the OPC
system is not properly configured and protected. OPC clients and servers
should be properly authenticated and authorized, and the communication
between them should be encrypted to protect against unauthorized access
and tampering.
4. Compatibility: OPC supports different communication protocols and data
models, which can make it challenging to integrate devices and systems from
different vendors that use different protocols and models. OPC clients and
servers may need to be customized or adapted to support the specific
protocols and models used by the devices and systems they need to
communicate with.
5. Complexity: OPC can be a complex protocol to implement and maintain,
especially in large and distributed systems. OPC clients and servers need to be
designed and implemented carefully, taking into account the specific
requirements and constraints of the application. Proper design and
implementation can help to ensure the reliability, performance, and security of
the OPC system.
what is the future for OPC?
OPC (Open Platform Communications) is a widely used communication
protocol in the industrial automation industry, and it has a long history of
evolution and development. OPC has become a de facto standard in the
industry, and it is supported by many major automation vendors and
organizations.

In recent years, OPC has undergone significant changes and updates to meet
the evolving needs of the industry. One of the most significant changes is the
introduction of OPC Unified Architecture (UA), which is a new generation of
 OPC that provides a more flexible and scalable architecture for communication
and integration. OPC UA uses a service-oriented approach, based on web
services and the Internet Protocol (IP), which allows OPC clients and servers to
communicate with each other over a network using standard protocols and
APIs. OPC UA also introduces new features, such as support for security and
encryption, and the ability to expose complex data models and functionality to
clients.

Looking into the future, it is likely that OPC will continue to evolve and adapt
to the changing needs of the industry. OPC UA is expected to become the
main platform for OPC communication and integration, and it may be
extended to support new technologies and applications, such as the Internet
of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0. It is also possible that OPC will be integrated
with other communication protocols and standards, such as MQTT (Message
Queuing Telemetry Transport) and OPC-XML, to provide even more flexibility
and interoperability.

Overall, OPC is expected to remain a key enabler of communication and

integration in the industrial automation industry, and it will continue to play a
critical role in improving efficiency, reducing costs, and increasing the
reliability of automation systems.
What are the job opportunities in this area?
There are many job opportunities in the field of OPC (Open Platform
Communications), as OPC is a widely used communication protocol in the
industrial automation industry. Here are some examples of job titles and roles
that involve OPC:

1. OPC Developer: OPC developers are responsible for designing, implementing,

and maintaining OPC clients and servers. They work with the OPC COM
interface and other OPC technologies to create software applications that can
access and control the devices and systems connected to OPC servers. OPC
developers may also be involved in the integration of OPC with other systems
and technologies, such as SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)
systems and MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems).
2. OPC Engineer: OPC engineers are responsible for the design, deployment, and
maintenance of OPC systems. They work with OPC clients and servers, as well
as the devices and systems connected to them, to ensure that the OPC system
is reliable, efficient, and secure. OPC engineers may also be involved in the
testing and debugging of OPC systems, and in the development of custom
OPC applications.
3. OPC Technician: OPC technicians are responsible for the installation,
configuration, and maintenance of OPC systems. They work with OPC clients
and servers, as well as the devices and systems connected to them, to ensure
that the OPC system is operational and meets the requirements of the
application. OPC technicians may also be involved in the troubleshooting of
OPC systems, and in the provision of technical support to OPC users.
4. OPC Consultant: OPC consultants are experts in the field of OPC, and they
provide consulting and advisory services to companies and organizations that
use OPC. They may be involved in the design and implementation of OPC
systems, as well as in the optimization and maintenance of existing OPC
systems. OPC consultants may also be involved in the training and education
of OPC users and developers.

Overall, OPC is a critical technology in the industrial automation industry, and

there is a high demand for professionals with expertise in OPC. Job
opportunities in the OPC field are expected to be plentiful, as the industrial
automation industry continues to grow and evolve.
Introduction to OPC.
OPC (Open Platform Communications) is a set of standards for interoperability
between industrial control systems and computers. It is a widely used
communication protocol in the industrial automation industry, and it enables
the exchange of data between different devices and systems from different
manufacturers.

OPC is based on the client/server architecture, where OPC clients send

requests for data or to perform certain actions to OPC servers, which provide
access to the data or perform the requested actions. OPC servers are typically
connected to the field devices, such as sensors, actuators, and controllers, and
expose their data and functionality to OPC clients. OPC clients can be any type
of software application that needs to access and control the field devices, such
as HMI (Human-Machine Interface) software, SCADA (Supervisory Control and
Data Acquisition) systems, or custom applications.

OPC supports various communication protocols, including serial protocols like

RS-232 and RS-485, Ethernet-based protocols like Modbus TCP, and fieldbus
protocols like PROFINET, EtherCAT, and CANopen. It also supports different
data models, such as the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) and the Fieldbus
Message Specification (FMS), which define the structure and format of the
data exchanged between the devices.

Overall, OPC enables seamless communication and integration between

different devices and systems in the industrial automation environment, which
helps to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase the reliability of the
overall system.