AVA: A component-oriented abstraction layer for virtual plug&produce automation systems engineering

The prevailing system and software model in automation systems engineering is defined by the IEC 61131 norm. It is to date the best way we know how to express low-level logic and manipulate electrical hardware signals. However, the exponential technological growth is continuing to raise the expectations on what automa-tion systems are supposed to be capable of doing. Fulfilling rising requirements and managing the exploding complexity requires a systematic support for high-level descriptions, structuring, and communication, which the original approach was not built to provide. This work proposes the introduction of an abstraction layer, a component-container infrastructure, defined on top of standard system and software models in automation and mirroring the world of cyber-physical systems, where independent components are interconnected to realize the systems' purpose by using each other's functionalities. The concept is implemented in the form of a domain-specific modeling language, applying a classical two-level Model-driven Software Engineering (MDSE) approach. By engineering distinct industrial use cases in accordance with the proposed approach, it is shown that the defined abstractions and mechanisms are capable of expressing the nuances of software design in different domains and can enable the streamlining of the automation systems engineering workflow into a virtual plug&produce process.

Automated summary

This research proposes the introduction of an abstraction layer and component-container infrastructure defined on top of standard system and software models in automation, in order to fulfill rising requirements and manage the exploding complexity. By implementing a domain-specific modeling language and utilizing a classical two-level Model-driven Software Engineering (MDSE) approach, the automation systems engineering workflow can be streamlined in different domains.