IEC 62714-4:2020

Overview

IEC 62714-4:2020 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that defines a standardized engineering data exchange format specifically for industrial automation systems engineering. This part 4 of the Automation Markup Language (AML) focuses on the integration and exchange of logic information within heterogeneous engineering tool environments used in production system engineering. It provides a comprehensive approach to modeling sequencing, behavior, and interlocking logic information as part of an AML data exchange model.

The standard facilitates interoperability between various engineering tools by specifying how different logic models-such as Gantt charts, activity-on-node networks, timing diagrams, sequential function charts, function block diagrams, and mathematical expressions-can be consistently represented and exchanged. It defines an AML logic XML schema based on IEC 61131-10 that enables structured storage and referencing of logic models, including ways to link with PLC programs stored in PLCopen XML format.

Key Topics

• Logic Information Integration: IEC 62714-4:2020 specifies how to embed various logic types within AML models to represent sequencing, behavior, and interlocking in production system engineering.

• Logic Models Covered: The standard addresses six crucial logic modeling types:

  • Gantt Chart - Visualizing sequences in project timelines.
  • Activity-on-Node Network - Showing task dependencies and workflows.
  • Timing Diagram - Representing temporal behavior of system resources.
  • Sequential Function Chart (SFC) - Depicting sequential control flows.
  • Function Block Diagram (FBD) - Modeling functional relationships.
  • Mathematical Expression - Capturing behavior through formulas and calculations.

• Intermediate Modelling Layer (IML): Defines storage for Gantt charts, activity-on-node networks, and timing diagrams in AML, facilitating consistent behavior description through the engineering lifecycle.

• Interlocking Logic Modeling: Specifies modeling of interlocking information as source and target groups within the AML framework, with interlocking logic stored in function block diagrams.

• AML Logic XML Schema: The standard offers a formal XML schema leveraging IEC 61131-10 structures to standardize logic information representation. This schema supports referencing existing PLC programs and promotes tool compatibility.

• Data Exchange Focus: While detailing the logic modeling and storage methods, the standard does not define the actual procedures or requirements for importing and exporting tools, allowing flexibility in implementation.

Applications

IEC 62714-4:2020 serves as a critical resource for engineers, system integrators, and tool developers involved in industrial automation system engineering by enabling:

• Cross-Tool Integration: Seamless exchange of logic information between diverse engineering platforms and tools, reducing data translation errors and integration time.

• Multi-Phase Engineering Support: Modeling logic throughout different engineering phases-from planning and scheduling to control program design-using standard formats like Gantt charts and function block diagrams.

• Enhanced Production Systems Engineering: Precise representation of behavior, sequencing, and interlocking logic enhances system reliability, diagnostics, and maintainability.

• PLC Program Referencing: Facilitates integration with PLCopen XML, linking high-level logical models with programmable logic controller implementations.

• Interlocking Safety Logic Modeling: Supports clear definitions of safety-related interlocking functions, improving system safety compliance and documentation.

• Standardized Data Archiving: Logic models stored in AML logic XML format support long-term documentation and lifecycle management of automation projects.

Related Standards

• IEC 61131-10: The fundamental standard for programmable controllers’ programming languages and data models, forming the basis of the AML logic XML schema in IEC 62714-4.

• PLCopen XML: An XML standard defining the format for PLC programs, which IEC 62714-4 references to enable linking logic models with actual program code.

• IEC 62714-1 to 3: Other parts of the Automation Markup Language series covering general AML data format, plant topology, and kinematics, complementing part 4 logic integration.

• IEC 62714 (AutomationML series): The broader family of standards governing automation markup language used for interoperable engineering data exchange in automation.

By adhering to IEC 62714-4:2020, organizations working in industrial automation systems engineering can improve data consistency, reduce integration complexity, and streamline development and maintenance processes through standardized logic data exchange formats.