ODVA advances automation standards with updates to EtherNet/IP, CIP security, and energy management for climate goals.
ODVA continues to advance industrial automation standards across device integration, cybersecurity, and energy management. The latest updates include the addition of level sensor profiles to the EtherNet/IP specification, enabling more consistent data access and simplified maintenance. CIP Security now offers a new pull model for configuration data, enhancing support for mobile and private network environments while improving device replacement and compliance. Additionally, ODVA, in collaboration with OPC Foundation, PI, and VDMA, has released a standardized specification for interoperable energy management, supporting climate-neutral production goals through improved monitoring and standby management.
Level measurement added to EtherNet/IP process device profiles ODVA announced that level sensors have been added to the process device profiles in the EtherNet/IP specification. These profileshelp simplify device installation and speed up replacement in case of unplanned downtime. Standardized semantics and scaling for process variables and diagnostics supportvendor interoperability and make process data compatible with edge and cloud systems. Device profiles are available for level measurement, as well as for Coriolis flow, electromagnetic flow, vortex flow, standard pressure, scaled pressure, Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) and thermocouple temperature sensors. These profiles provide consistent access to process data, diagnostics, and totals, supporting more efficient system integration. The addition of level sensors broadens the types of devices supported within the EtherNet/IP specification.
The goal of process device profiles is to simplify device replacement. Standardized configurations help reduce the technical expertise needed for maintenance staff and support more efficient turnaround schedules while minimizing unplanned downtime. The EtherNet/IP process device profile for level transmitters applies to devices using technologies such as free wave, guided wave, capacitive, magnetostrictive, radiometry, and buoyancy. NAMUR NE 107 diagnostics are available for level transmitters that use free wave, guided wave, and radiometry sensor technology approaches. With the addition of level measurement process device profiles, joining existing profiles for temperature, flow and pressure, users can integrate EtherNet/IP capable devices across multiple manufacturers and maintain consistent data structures in critical operational environments.
“The addition of level sensor support to the suite of EtherNet/IP process device profiles further promotes device interchangeability between vendors and supports easier integration with additional device types,” said Dr. Al Beydoun, president and executive director of ODVA. “New level measurement process device profiles for EtherNet/IP network-capable level sensors support NE 107 diagnostics and are aligned with the Process Automation – Device Information Model (PA-DIM). Process device profiles for EtherNet/IP reduce the commissioning and maintenance burden of adopting Ethernet-capable devices and provide a standardized information model foundation to enable usage of advanced edge and cloud analytics approaches, including AI.”
Standardized access to process variables—aligned with PA-DIM semantics and scaling—and diagnostics such as NAMUR NE 107 status signals support the use of analytics and optimization tools in process automation. Process device profiles for EtherNet/IP offer standardization and support for a range of sensors, helping streamlineinstallation, monitor asset condition, and integrate with higher level data management systems. ODVA is working to align EtherNet/IP with the specific needs of the process industries through support for technologies such as Ethernet-APL, PA-DIM, NAMUR, FDI, and process device profiles.
New CIP security pull model for Configuration data available
ODVA has introduced a new pull model for configuration data within CIP Security, the cybersecurity network extension for EtherNet/IP. This addition complements the existing pull model for distributing CIP Security certificates. The update enables access to configuration parameters in JSON format for EtherNet/IP -capable devices. It also supports access by non-CIP devices, such as mobile phones and tablets, and improves availability ofhierarchical metadata. CIP Security now supports configuration and certificate pull models, along with features such as group and user-based trust models, data confidentiality, authentication, and integrity verification.
The CIP Security pull model for configuration defines a file-based format for delivering configuration data and includes a method for devices to retrieve this data as needed. It is particularly applicable in cases where the standard CIP object/server/attribute approach is not feasible, such as for mobile applications lacking CIP target capabilities or for devices behind a Network Address Translation (NAT) firewall when the configuration software is hosted on a public network. This model also supports device replacement by supplying communication configurations alongside certificate. The configuration is delivered in a JSON format, which separates configuration content from the transport mechanism while maintaining the CIP data structure. Each JSON file includes a digital signature to ensure the authenticity of the information, independent of the delivery.
“The addition of a CIP Security pull model for configuration makes it easier to replace devices to minimize downtime and allows for configuration data to be automatically provided to mobile devices and devices on a private network,” said Dr. Al Beydoun, president and executive director of ODVA.
As more devices are connected to networks using wireless and Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) technologies, cybersecurity requirements are becoming increasingly important. The integration of device-level networks with ERP and cloud —often to utilize AI-based—creates a need fora layered security strategy that includes protections at the device level.
CIP Security incorporatesopen and widely used security technologies such as TLS, DTLS for secure transport, hashes or HMAC for data integrity and message authentication, X.509v3 digital certificates, OAuth 2.0, and, OpenID Connect for authentication, as well as encryption to prevent unauthorized access to EtherNet/IP data.
Recent updates add a pull model for configuration data, supporting mobile and private network connectivity and facilitating device replacement. CIP Security supports compliance with security standards such as IEC 62443 and emerging regulations like the European Union Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).
Efficient energy management enabled by new industry standards
The mechanical and plant engineering industry is working toward climate-neutral production. The European Union’s Green Deal also targets climate neutrality in Europe by 2050. To support these objectives and other applications, access to accurate data on energy consumption during production is essential.
The consortium, consisting of the organizations ODVA, OPC Foundation, PI and VDMA, has jointly published version 1.0.0 of a specification intended to support interoperable and efficient energy management in industrial and process automation. The group is chaired by the VDMA.
Dietmar Bohn, managing director of PNO, explains: “The measurement and analysis of energy consumption in machines and systems is an extremely important topic for the future. We are pleased to make an active contribution to this important initiative to optimize energy consumption and thereby reduce the harmful effects on the environment caused by waste and surplus.”
Standardized information model based on OPC UA
This specification defines a standardized information model based on OPC UA that enables comprehensive energy management in industrial automation. “This power consumption management collaboration ensures that end users have a highly standardized and interoperable means of achieving their environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals,” explains Dr. Al Beydoun, president and CEO of ODVA.
The introduction of this standard aims to streamline energy management in industry environments. It enables companies to record, analyze and use standardized energy data more effectively, with the goal of improving energy efficiency. This may help reduce operating costs and environmental impact. Standardization also supports the consistent adoption of new technologies and practices, which may align with long-term sustainability objectives.
Monitoring and standby management: core content of the new specification
The specification includestwo primary areas: monitoring —covering the display of energy consumption, including electrical energy as well as energy from air, water or coal —andstandby management referring to the control and specific energy-saving modes on machines and components. It is based on the results of the research project “Development of energy management interfaces for IoT technologies (IoTEnRG)”. “The aim of the IoTEnRG research project was to make the results available to industry. We were able to contribute our results directly to the Joint Working Group and thus significantly accelerate the development of the OPC UA Companion Specification,” says Prof. Dr. Niemann from the Institute for Sensor Technology and Automation at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Hannover.
“For digitalization, we need an agreement on a common understanding and description of data, including in the energy sector. OPC UA provides exactly that. I am proud that with this joint group, we can also contribute to the energy transition and thus promote optimized energy savings through standardized and efficient monitoring,” says Stefan Hoppe, president of the OPC Foundation.
Machinery Building Block: A step towards climate-neutral production
The VDMA has defined a fundamental standard for the entire mechanical and plant engineering industry, known as “OPC UA for Machinery”. Various functional building blocks are specified in this standard. A new building block for energy management is being developed based on the publication.
“The four organizations have been working hard to harmonize and standardize information on energy consumption in manufacturing. This is an excellent first step towards defining an upcoming OPC UA Building Block for mechanical engineering that will bring the machine and plant manufacturing industry a big step closer to the goal of climate-neutral production,” says Andreas Faath, director of the VDMA Machine Information Interoperability department.
Edited by Puja Mitra, WTWH Media, for Control Engineering, from an ODVA news release.
