Communication Abstraction Supports Network Resource Virtualisation in Automation

An abstraction model for communication in distributed automation applications is proposed. This model facilitates a stringent delineation of the application and communication network, and fosters topics such as the introduction of service-oriented communication functions into automation and the abstraction of heterogeneous communication networks. This is necessary to support the flexibility demands of future industrial applications, realizable with modern communication concepts like Software Defined Networks. The paper proposes a classification of communication requirements, and discusses implementation aspects.