OPC UA INFORMATION MODEL AND ITS NEED IN INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION

Abstract

The rapidly evolving industrial landscape demands seamless, secure, and interoperable communication frameworks between heterogeneous systems. OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) provides a robust, platform-independent, and scalable solution that meets these requirements while offering an extensible information modeling framework. This paper explores the OPC UA Information Model in depth—its architecture, components, benefits, and real-world relevance. It also discusses the increasing necessity of standardized information models in enabling Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Through a detailed study, this paper establishes the OPC UA Information Model as a foundational pillar of future-ready, intelligent automation systems