What is the Unified NameSpace?

Summary

This video script explains the concept of a unified namespace in industrial automation. It's presented as a single source of truth for all business data, providing a structured way to organize and access information across different systems. The script discusses how it facilitates communication between various layers of the automation stack, enabling data acquisition and integration in the fourth Industrial Revolution. It also touches on the transition from linear integration to a more interconnected, scalable approach, using MQTT and the Sparkplug B standard for communication.

Takeaways

• 📚 The unified namespace is a concept often misunderstood, requiring a clear understanding of the automation stack layers and integration methods.
• 🏭 It serves as a single source of truth for all data and information in a business, aiming to centralize data collection and accessibility.
• 🔍 The unified namespace is structured to organize data effectively, using a semantic hierarchy that allows for easy navigation to specific data points.
• 🌐 It acts as a hub for all smart devices and systems in a business to communicate and exchange data.
• 🛠️ It is foundational to a company's digital infrastructure, enabling the development of digital solutions and IoT implementations.
• 🔗 The concept is deeply tied to the evolution from linear, deterministic data acquisition of the third Industrial Revolution to the comprehensive data collection required by the fourth.
• 💾 It leverages MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) for API calls, using a publish-subscribe model that allows for scalable and efficient data communication.
• 📈 The unified namespace is designed to be scalable, secure, and to provide quick time-to-value, which are critical for modern digital transformation efforts.
• 🔄 It replaces much of the old linear integrations with a more flexible and comprehensive approach, although a transitional phase with a mix of old and new methods is common.
• 🌟 The technology used to implement the unified namespace is agnostic, as long as it meets the minimum technical requirements, such as supporting MQTT and the Sparkplug B standard.

Q & A

What is a unified namespace?

A unified namespace is a single source of truth for all data and information in a business. It provides a structured and updated way to organize data, serves as a hub for smart devices to connect and communicate, and forms the foundation of a digital infrastructure.

Why is the unified namespace important in the fourth Industrial Revolution?

The fourth Industrial Revolution requires collecting data from across the entire business, not just from sensors and equipment on the plant floor. The unified namespace enables this by providing a central place to organize and access all data, facilitating better monitoring and control.

How does the unified namespace differ from traditional linear integration?

Traditional linear integration is deterministic and point-to-point, moving data up the automation stack from sensors to PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems. The unified namespace, on the other hand, allows for a more flexible, hub-and-spoke model where data can be accessed from a central hub by any smart device in the business.

What role does MQTT play in the unified namespace?

MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) is used in the unified namespace for its publish-subscribe model, allowing devices to publish data to a broker and subscribe to the data they need. This facilitates efficient data communication across the business.

Why is the unified namespace considered the foundation of a digital future?

The unified namespace serves as the basis for building digital solutions. It provides a common infrastructure that new digital applications can extend and interact with, ensuring scalability, security, and a short time to value.

How does the unified namespace simplify accessing data points across a business?

The unified namespace uses a semantic hierarchy based on standards like ISA-95 Part 2 to structure business data. This allows users to access data points without needing to know their exact location, simplifying data retrieval and reducing the need for point-to-point integrations.

What is the significance of the 'single source of truth' in the context of the unified namespace?

The 'single source of truth' ensures that all smart nodes in a business can access consistent and accurate data from one central location, eliminating discrepancies and improving decision-making.

Can you provide an example of how a unified namespace might be structured?

A unified namespace might be structured using a hierarchy such as Enterprise > Site > Area > Line > Cell. Each level represents a part of the business, and data points are organized accordingly, making it easier to find and access relevant information.

How does the unified namespace reduce the need for linear integrations?

By providing a central hub for data access, the unified namespace allows for more direct and efficient communication between smart devices, reducing the reliance on linear, point-to-point data flows.

What are some common software platforms used to implement a unified namespace?

Common software platforms for implementing a unified namespace include MQTT brokers like EMQX and HiveMQ, and industrial platforms like Ignition, which can build the necessary digital infrastructure on top of the unified namespace.

Why is OPC UA not suitable for the unified namespace?

OPC UA is not suitable for the unified namespace because it is verbose and client-server based, which can lead to excessive network traffic and inefficiencies. It also requires more bandwidth and does not support the on-demand data access model needed for a unified namespace.