LIBPF® OPC
On-line Connectivity solution based on LIBPF®
The LIBPF OPC (Open Process Connectivity) module is an extension to LIBPF® to add plant control system connectivity to model-based solutions developed with the LIBPF® process modeling technology.
Architecture
LIBPF® OPC connects to the plant control system as an OPC client via the Classic OPC compliant Data Access server (OPC DA) protocol.
Classic OPC is the de-facto standard (https://opcfoundation.org/) interface for real-time data exchange with field automation in the process industry.
Using this vendor-independent multi-platform interface with the plant control system LIBPF® OPC can easily talk to:
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PLC (Programmable Logic Controller);
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DCS (Distributed Control System);
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Real-time databases;
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**SCADA **(Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) systems.
A sample architecture for an application based on LIBPF® OPC, where it is interfaced to the SCADA is:
Such an application would typically operate as a Windows service when in production, while a console mode is available for testing.
Have a look at this demo video which demonstrates installing and running a LIBPF® OPC application on Windows 7:
Troubleshooting tools are available:
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a tracing facility with tunable verbosity for diagnostic messages based on an operating system level communication protocol (named pipes);
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the operating system event log for information, warning and error messages.
Two operation modes are possible:
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In an event-driven configuration the service will sit and wait for update events from the OPC server; when one such event is signaled, it triggers execution.
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In a timed-execution configuration the service will start the execution at regular intervals.
Applications
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First-principle Soft Sensors;
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Data reconciliation based on mass and energy balances;
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Pilot Plant monitoring;
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Process diagnostic (heat exchanger fouling, catalyst or electrode deactivation).
Features
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Runs on Microsoft Windows Server 2012 and Windows 10;
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Compatible with OPC DA 2.0 client specification;
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Simple and compact architecture;
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Works with any PLC, DCS, real-time database and SCADA;
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Configure with a single XML file;
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1 .. 10 .. 100 soft-sensors in one server;
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Flexible and extensible.
Documentation
For more information, have a look at the LIBPF® OPC Installation manual (English and Italian, and the LIBPF® OPC Maintenance and user manual (English and Italian).