Concept for semantic interoperability between information models
In the scope of Industry 4.0, one challenge is the semantic interoperability between different applications. While various metamodels have been or are being developed for syntactic interoperability, there is a lack of concepts to ensure semantic interoperability. Many metamodels only specify the possible modeling classes and the semantics is outsourced to information models, e.g., in the form of submodels for asset administration shells or in companion specifications for OPC UA.
In many cases, the same information in the information models is modeled with different modeling elements. In addition, when components are integrated or composite components are created, the information of the individual components is often reused, e.g., in the form of an aggregation.
In order to use the information easily and thus to keep the implementation effort low, a transformation language was developed at the Chair of Information and Automation Systems for Process and Material Technology that addresses exactly these needs. Only required language elements were defined and the reference to the metamodel was maintained in order to simplify the integration into the existing system landscape as well as to enable domain experts without software experience to create these transformations easily and quickly.
An implementation shows the feasibility as well as the easy integration into an existing software development kit for asset administration shells, so that online transformations are also possible.