ISO 15746-2:2017

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.