With the large distributed, autonomous, diverse, and dynamic information sources generated in the Industrial Internet area, the information model becomes the critical technology for heterogeneous data interoperability. By establishing unified architecture, mutually agreed communication protocols and standardizing syntax and semantics, the potential of complex data can be released. However, most of the existing information models are isolated in the professional fields, and the interoperability and scope of standards are very limited. In this article, we design a uniform information model for the Industrial Internet, and present a general modeling method which aims to build a standardized organizational framework of information. Specifically, the Industrial Internet information model is first defined, where the seven key elements and value evaluation are devised for information extraction. Then, an optimization approach combining entropy and semantic distance theories is proposed that determines the information organization granularity. Next, as the cross-layer interaction of complex information is very tricky in a tree structure and its modeling cost is extremely high in a mesh topology, the underground root structure is invented for model representation. Finally, the modeling methodology is applied to the ordinary and precision machine tools demonstrating 18.75% and 18.18% modeling cost reduction, respectively, and these two information models are further implemented in a digital machining workshop to verify the effectiveness of the proposed modeling method.
Keywords: Industrial Internet; Information and communication technology; Information model; Interoperability; Modeling method.
©2022 Yu et al.