Vol 2024 #11: Unlock Device Data with PA-DIM

Modified on Tue, 9 Jul, 2024 at 2:48 PM

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Unlock Device Data with PA-DIM

This is the first installment of a three-part series on PA-DIM technology. Subsequent articles will focus on reasons to support PA-DIM and how to create a device that supports PA-DIM. Ultimately, devices will be required to support PA-DIM as part of the registration process. So, we recommend starting the education process now.

PA-DIM uses OPC UA information modeling techniques and specifications for its implementation framework. As a client/server architecture this means that an OPC UA client can access a PA-DIM supported OPC UA server to access PA-DIM data.

PA-DIM is a specification co-owned by nine organizations. FieldComm Group hosts, or manages, the working group that is responsible for developing, enhancing, and evolving the specification. The specification was developed to simplify access to field device information by IT systems, thus helping to bridge the OT/IT gap.

PA-DIM stands for Process Automation Device Information Model. PA-DIM is a protocol independent information model that employs semantic identifiers. This is important because historically host OT systems, be they handhelds, asset managers, or control software, support specific automation protocols such as HART, Profibus, or Profinet. Additionally, suppliers sometimes interpret information defined in the protocols differently.

At the IT layer, systems do not understand automation protocol-specific information. To assure data integrity, a protocol independent, standardized “data dictionary” is required. Fortunately such a data dictionary exists (IEC 61987) and is incorporated into the PA-DIM specification.

Applications and servers supporting PA-DIM are now available in the market with more to follow in the coming months and years. Two sample prototype application were showcased at ACHEMA 2024 and you can view them below.

A combination of PA-DIM enabled devices and systems will ultimately break down barriers between IT and OT and help accelerate plant-wide digitalization.

Supporting PA-DIM principally involves changes to the DD. Development of PA-DIM enabled devices will be supported by FDI IDE 1.7.0.

We’ll be discussing PA-DIM in more detail in coming snippets, but if you are thirsting for more information take a look at our developer seminar, Introduction to PA-DIM below.