MDIS Selects OPC UA as the MCS-DCS Protocol Standard
April 8, 2013
The OPC Foundation, dedicated to ensuring interoperability in automation by creating and maintaining open specifications announces MDIS has selected OPC UA as the Master Control System (MCS) and Distributed Control System (DCS) protocol standard. The selection of OPC UA will provide secure and reliable data transfer for offshore oil and gas production.
MDIS is an international joint industry network group whose main mission is to optimize the MCS and DCS interface of topside systems in oil and gas production. MDIS defines and establishes a standard for the interface, in order to simplify implementation of data communication links, whilst increasing the data quality. “In looking for the MDIS protocol, the network considered a number of potential candidates for validation testing. The MDIS community has selected the OPC UA protocol for further investigation due to its flexibility and performance over a broad number of criteria such as scalability, reliability, object orientation and the amount of anticipated time spent in programming / design,” states the MDIS steering committee.
“The OPC Foundation is excited to collaborate with MDIS in providing the MCS-DCS interface standard,” said Tom Burke, OPC Foundation President and Executive Director. "OPC UA will allow secure and reliable information exchange for the topside systems within offshore production.”
MDIS selected OPC UA based on several requirements. Here is a sample of the requirements:
