Overview
ISO 15746-2:2017 - "Automation systems and integration - Integration of advanced process control and optimization capabilities for manufacturing systems - Part 2: Activity models and information exchange" defines activity models and information exchange requirements that enable integration and interoperability of advanced process control and optimization (APC-O) across manufacturing automation layers. The standard specifies workflows, lifecycles and service definitions to support information exchanges between Level 3 (MOM), Level 2 (process control), and APC‑O components, and among APC‑O systems.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Activity models and workflows
- Lifecycle phases covered: Requirements Analysis, Design, Development, Execution and Support.
- Workflows and activity modelling presented using Object‑Process Methodology (OPM) and Object‑Process Language (OPL).
- Information exchange requirements
- Definitions of information models for APC‑O events, variables and module definitions.
- Service definitions to support exchanges: Level 3 ↔ APC‑O, Level 2 ↔ APC‑O, and APC‑O ↔ APC‑O (intra/intersystem).
- Data and event types
- Standardizes properties of APC‑O event types and APC‑O variable types to ensure consistent semantic meaning and machine‑readable exchange.
- Module and component concepts
- Describes APC‑O modules, APC‑O components, APC‑O packages and APC‑O platforms and their dynamic behaviors.
- Integration scope
- Covers interfaces for non‑APC‑O systems (Level 2/Level 3) and for distributed APC‑O systems, including handling of alarms, trajectories, biases, KPIs and lifecycle states.
Applications and Practical Value
- System integration and interoperability
- Enables suppliers and users to integrate APC‑O solutions from different vendors without redundant functionality, reducing engineering time and cost.
- Manufacturing operations management (MOM) integration
- Provides a framework for MOM systems (Level 3) to reliably exchange production plans, KPIs and lifecycle information with APC‑O solutions.
- Control and optimization engineering
- Clarifies event/variable semantics for model predictive control (MPC), PID coordination, soft/hard limits, setpoints and disturbance handling - improving predictability and maintainability.
- Who should use it
- APC‑O solution providers, system integrators, process engineers, production and operations managers, independent testers, consultants, and academic or government organizations involved in automation and optimization.
Related Standards
- ISO 15746-1 - Framework and functional model for APC‑O (normative reference).
- Useful for organizations implementing OPC or other industrial communication stacks as part of APC‑O integration strategies.
Keywords: ISO 15746-2:2017, APC-O, advanced process control, information exchange, activity models, lifecycle, Level 2, Level 3, manufacturing systems, integration, interoperability.
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