PA-DIM Working Group releases Version 1.1

The co-owners of Process Automation Device Information Model (PA-DIM), including FDT Group, FieldComm Group, ISA 100 WCI, NAMUR, ODVA, OPC Foundation, PROFIBUS and PROFINET International, VDMA and ZVEI, have announced the release of the PA-DIM Version 1.1 specification. The new release includes expanded device type support for process analysers and an enhanced basic hierarchy structure with new extensions, aimed at benefiting both the industrial user and vendor manufacturing community.

The PA-DIM specification aims to improve information standardisation for process automation applications. All co-owners work together to support a unified information model that seamlessly integrates OT data exchange with IT systems and other higher-level applications. This model includes core parameters, capabilities, status and diagnostic data based on the NAMUR Open Architecture (NOA) initiative. It allows users to access and interpret device information consistently, regardless of the fieldbus protocol, device type or manufacturer, enhancing IIoT architectures.

Key highlights of the PA-DIM Version 1.1 specification include:

• Expanded device-type support for process analysers, including TOC, continuous gas and pH. This extension broadens the scope of the standard, enabling seamless integration and management of analytical instruments within process automation systems.
• Enhancement of the basic hierarchy structure to include new extensions such as device condition sets, signal condition sets and signal calibration. These extensions give users greater flexibility and functionality in representing device information, including attributes such as type, timestamp and calibrated values.
   

PA-DIM facilitates various applications, such as:

• Providing/receiving information to/from HMIs, information apps and reporting apps.
• Supporting inventory management and remote monitoring applications.
• Enabling real-time control applications, such as reading process values and setting parameters.
• Device configuration and parameterisation.
• Configuring device security and monitoring its current hardening status.
• Providing information for device dashboards.
   

"With the release of PA-DIM Version 1.1, we are thrilled to introduce new extensions and features that will further improve interoperability and standardisation across the industry, empowering users with harmonised solutions for process instrumentation and process analysers with field-to-cloud semantic interoperability in context. We believe these new features and extensions hold immense potential for process operations," said Frank Fengler of ABB, Chairperson of the PA-DIM Working Group.

For more information about PA-DIM and to download Version 1.1, users can visit any of the following websites:

• www.fdtgroup.org/pa-dim
• www.fieldcommgroup.org/pa-dim
• www.odva.org/pa-dim
• www.opcfoundation.org/pa-dim
• www.profibus.com/pa-dim
   

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