Control Systems

New PICMG InterEdge standard helps open, modular process control systems

A new process automation hardware standard, PICMG InterEdge, defines a vendor-neutral, open standard for edge computing and I/O module hardware. InterEdge began as part of the O-PAS (Open Process Automation) Standard from The Open Group’s Open Process Automation Forum (OPAF). See related 4-part open process automation series from Control Engineering.

Courtesy: Control Engineering using information from PICMG

 

Learning Objectives

  • Understand how the new PICMG InterEdge standard specifies dimensions and connections for modular compute, switch and I/O architecture enable interoperable standard for industrial PCs, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and distributed control systems.
  • The PICMG InterEdge standard supports IEC 61499 function blocks for industrial process measurement and control systems and IEC 61131 standard for programmable controllers for compatibility with a wide range of automation systems.
  • Hot-swappable modules using the PICMG InterEdge standard can be replaced or upgraded while the system is running, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs.

PICMG InterEdge standard for open process automation insights

  • The PICMG InterEdge standard specifies dimensions and connections for modular compute, switch and I/O architecture to enable interoperable standard for industrial PCs, PLCs and distributed control systems. See related Control Engineering four-part series on open process automation.
  • The PICMG InterEdge standard supports IEC 61499 and IEC 61131 for compatibility with a wide range of automation systems.
  • Hot-swappable modules using the PICMG InterEdge standard can be replaced or upgraded while the system is running, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs.

PICMG, the consortium for open hardware specifications announced the release of InterEdge, a modular architecture for process control systems (PCS). The InterEdge specification, said to be compatible with IEC 61499 and IEC 61131, “promises to revolutionize the industry with an interoperable, multi-vendor alternative to proprietary Industrial PCs (IPCs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and distributed control systems (DCSs),” the organization said in a Feb. 26 announcement, as explained to Control Engineering at the ARC Industry Forum in a open process automation discussion.

InterEdge defines a vendor-neutral, open standard for edge computing and I/O module hardware, PICMG said. It segments hardware into compute modules, switch modules and I/O modules. All of these modules are connected via a common backplane, enabling easy customization and expansion of industrial automation functions. InterEdge 0 R1 supports single- and multi-channel I/O implementations, and a forthcoming specification will be optimized for single-channel I/O.

“Business needs evolve at an ever-increasing rate,” said Francisco Garcia, Americas regional instrument lead at ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co. and member of the InterEdge technical working group. “InterEdge delivers an interchangeable base hardware standard for industrial manufacturers looking to adapt to changing business needs. As a result, providers can deploy and scale dedicated physical assets and focus on value-added software and services.”

Figure 1: PICMG InterEdge defines a vendor-neutral, open standard for edge computing and I/O module hardware, segmenting hardware into compute modules, switch modules and I/O modules. All of these modules are connected via a common backplane, enabling easy customization and expansion of industrial automation functions. InterEdge 0 R1 supports single- and multi-channel I/O implementations; a forthcoming specification will be optimized for single-channel I/O.
Figure 1: PICMG InterEdge defines a vendor-neutral, open standard for edge computing and I/O module hardware, segmenting hardware into compute modules, switch modules and I/O modules. All of these modules are connected via a common backplane, enabling easy customization and expansion of industrial automation functions. InterEdge 0 R1 supports single- and multi-channel I/O implementations; a forthcoming specification will be optimized for single-channel I/O. Courtesy: Control Engineering using information from PICMG

Shared standard for the process industry; upgrades without hardware lock-in

PICMG said with the modular approach of InterEdge, it can flexibly incorporate the functions of disparate automation systems into one platform. This common platform can be deployed across automation, chemical refining, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, metals and mining, pulp and paper, food and beverage and other process industries.

By replacing proprietary edge devices, InterEdge eliminates vendor lock-in, the organization said, simplifying integration and maintenance and enables online upgrades, for significant cost savings when using open process automation (up to 52% in initial hardware and software costs, according to system integrators involved).

In the past, edge components remained in place for decades with static functional capabilities due to the difficulties of upgrades, PICMG explained. In contrast, the hot-swappable interoperability of InterEdge allows industrial organizations to quickly adapt to changing market demands and technological advancements, PICMG said. Now manufacturers more easily can improve competitiveness through emerging trends in artificial intelligence (AI), industrial internet of things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0 initiatives.

Matt Burns, global director of technical marketing at Samtec and chair of the InterEdge Technical Working Group, said, “InterEdge allows industrial manufacturers to transition from proprietary hardware to an open architecture where they can choose fit-for-purpose components, replace obsolete hardware, add computational resource and upgrade hardware security in a running plant at virtually zero switching costs.”

“InterEdge does for industrial control systems what the Open Compute Project did for data centers,” Burns added.

Figure 2: Dimensions (shown) and interfaces are included in the PICMG InterEdge standard, as explained here: https://www.picmg.org/openstandards/interedge/.
Figure 2: Dimensions (shown) and interfaces are included in the PICMG InterEdge standard, as explained here: https://www.picmg.org/openstandards/interedge/. Courtesy: PICMG

Widespread industry leader support via Open Process Automation Forum (OPAF)

InterEdge originated as part of the O-PAS (Open Process Automation) Standard from The Open Group Open Process Automation Forum (OPAF), a consortium of more than 110 leaders in process automation including system suppliers, engineering firms, governmental bodies, research institutions and end customers. PICMG InterEdge standard joins other PICMG multi-vendor hardware standards including CompactPCI and Com Express and PCI-ISA, among those familiar to automation. PICMG and OPAF have committed to working together to push for the same widespread adoption of InterEdge.

Jessica Isquith, president of PICMG, said, “PICMG felt it was critical to release this because it lays the groundwork for subsequent iterations of the InterEdge specification that will address the broadest range of industry use cases possible. We are eager to support the continued progress of InterEdge and its ability to revolutionize industrial edge environments.”

As of the Feb. 29, the price to license the InterEdge specification was $750 on the PICMG website.

Figure 3: PICMG InterEdge standard architecture helps open process automation, according to PICMG and Open Process Automation Forum. InterEdge 0 R1 supports single- and multi-channel I/O implementations and a forthcoming specification will be optimized for single-channel I/O. Learn more about PICMG InterEdge at https://www.picmg.org/openstandards/interedge/
Figure 3: PICMG InterEdge standard architecture helps open process automation, according to PICMG and Open Process Automation Forum. InterEdge 0 R1 supports single- and multi-channel I/O implementations and a forthcoming specification will be optimized for single-channel I/O. Learn more about PICMG InterEdge at https://www.picmg.org/openstandards/interedge/ Courtesy: PICMG

How to join the PICMG InterEdge working group, more about PICMG standards

Those interested in specification development efforts can join the PICMG InterEdge working group by emailing [email protected]. Founded in 1994, PICMG based in Wakefield, Massachusetts, is a not-for-profit 501(c) consortium of companies and organizations that collaboratively develop open standards for high performance industrial, Industrial IoT, military and aerospace, telecommunications, test and measurement, medical and general-purpose embedded computing applications. More than 140 member companies specialize in a wide range of technical disciplines, PICMG said, including mechanical and thermal design, single board computer design, high-speed signaling design and analysis, networking expertise, backplane, and packaging design, power management, high availability software and comprehensive system management.

– Edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager, Control Engineering, CFE Media and Technology, [email protected], with information from PICMG.

KEYWORDS: PICMG InterEdge standard, automation hardware standard, open process automation modules

CONSIDER THIS

Are you specifying PICMG InterEdge and other open process automation software, hardware and devices?

ONLINE

See an overview of the PICMG InterEdge specification at https://www.picmg.org/openstandards/interedge/

See a four-part Control Engineering series on open process automation linked below.

Written by

Mark T. Hoske

Mark Hoske has been Control Engineering editor/content manager since 1994 and in a leadership role since 1999, covering all major areas: control systems, networking and information systems, control equipment and energy, and system integration, everything that comprises or facilitates the control loop. He has been writing about technology since 1987, writing professionally since 1982, and has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism degree from UW-Madison.