Simulation-enhanced development of industrial cyber-physical systems using OPC-UA and IEC 61499

Abstract

This paper presents a case study on simulation enhanced development of a flexible distributed factory automation system with distributed control and wireless communication. The method aims at advanced modular factory automation systems, providing easier behavioural verification, testing, and control in presence of various reconfigurations. The paper presents a model-driven distributed control of IEC 61499 using co-simulation with the system model. It provides the test-bench for implementing and developing control and production planning strategies in order to improve system, robustness, reconfigurability and flexibility and security. One particular flexibility aspect implemented is the mechanism for online software updates enabled by the distributed control architecture. Another enabler is wireless communication. The paper discusses the comparison of wired vs. wireless distributed control of a testbed demonstrator.