PICMG, the open hardware standards consortium, has formed a strategic liaison with The Open Group’s Open Process Automation Forum (OPAF) to develop InterEdge, a modular hardware specification for industrial process control. This collaboration addresses a critical void in the O-PAS Standard, an open framework for automation systems, by standardizing edge controller hardware with features like hot-swappable components and compliance with IEC 61499/61131.
Unifying a Fragmented Industrial Landscape
With over 110 OPAF members—including ExxonMobil, Schneider Electric, and Intel—the partnership aims to reduce reliance on proprietary systems. The InterEdge specification, recently ratified by PICMG, introduces a common form factor for modular I/O, enabling interoperability across vendors. “This eliminates costly integration hurdles in process automation,” noted a PICMG representative, highlighting its potential to slash maintenance and upgrade expenses by up to 40%.
From Research to Industry Standard
The initiative builds on work by Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), which OPAF evaluated before selecting PICMG’s proven specification framework—used in CompactPCI and COM Express architectures. InterEdge’s electromechanical interoperability supports O-PAS’s vision of plug-and-play automation, with future versions already in development to expand functionality.
Testing and Adoption Roadmap
OPAF’s Physical Platform Subcommittee is now integrating InterEdge into the O-PAS Standard revision, while devising conformance tests to ensure vendor compliance. This step ensures the specification meets real-world demands for ruggedness, scalability, and backward compatibility in sectors like oil & gas and pharmaceuticals.
Accelerating Open Industrial Automation
The alliance signals a broader shift toward multi-vendor ecosystems in process control. As PICMG and OPAF align their expertise, InterEdge could become the USB of industrial automation—a universal standard unlocking plug-in productivity for next-gen smart factories.
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