Semantic device descriptions based on standard Semantic Web technologies

Established device descriptions for automation devices lack a machine understandable semantics, thus inhibiting desired tasks like a semantic retrieval of devices, their automatic parameterization and interoperability analysis or the automated design of automation systems. To overcome these limitations, an approach for a semantic specification of automation devices is presented, which covers the hardware and particularly the applications of the devices. The semantic device descriptions are based on semantic Web technologies, especially OWL. Several application scenarios are shown, which demonstrate the potential of the introduced approach. Examples reach from a variable distribution of information over a semantic retrieval of devices up to performing intelligent reasoning based on logical inference.