An important aspect of the data exchange within the engineering process is the exchange of quantities. A quantity consists of a number – e.g. as a result of a measurement – and a unit of measurement. Units play an important role since they give the context of how the number must be interpreted. Different systems of units are available, which standardize one set of base units as well as derived units. This BPR recommends using the UNECE Recommendation N°20 “Codes for Units of Measure Used in International Trade”.
The AutomationML standard series IEC 62714 „Engineering data exchange format for use in industrial automation systems engineering” already contains many use cases and guidelines of how system engineering information is modeled as well as which meta information could enhance the data exchange.
In order to specify these definitions with examples, to apply them to specific use cases, and to facilitate the first steps with AutomationML, specific issues for the modeling of data in AutomationML are illustrated in Best Practise Recommendations (BPR).
In addition, the BPR shall provide a consistent realization for specific use cases and shall, thus, complement the AutomationML standard documents.
BPRs are no subject of standardization but in case of a concretization of the IEC 62714 series the content could be included in it later on – within a maintenance cycle.