Engineering Concept of Virtual Automation Networks

This paper presents the concept for the engineering of Distributed Control Systems (DCSs) based on heterogeneous communication systems as defined in the European Integrated Project “Virtual Automation Networks” (VAN). This heterogeneous communication characteristic has to be faced by the engineering concepts and tools. The VAN project has defined a common engineering workflow as basis for a VAN information model. The information model covers the functional, topological and network view and their relation to each other at detailed level. It integrates the VAN service specification on the basis of the OSI Reference ASE model. The paper presents also the mapping of the engineering concept to FDT/DTM and TCI technologies in general which is used to evaluate the information model and the usefulness of the VAN information model and the interaction of the engineering tools with the VAN devices.