In the Profinet world, we have the concept of a General Station Description (GSD) file. The GSD organizes and describes all the features, data, formatting, values and basic capabilities of a device. It is used during the integration of the device into a controller, whether it’s an industrial PC, PLC, PAC or DCS. Similarly, in the IO-Link world, we have the concept of an IO-Link Device Description (IODD) file. The IODD file also lays out all the data, units and capabilities available from an IO-Link sensor for use by the IO-Link master.
Module Type Package (MTP) is like a GSD or an IODD but on steroids. Instead of describing a single device or sensor, MTP is utilized to describe an entire machine or subsystem. All data, operating screens, functions and alarms of the machine are immediately available in the superordinate system. Historically, when we think about process control plants, depending on the vertical industry, we often envision monolithic systems installed and run for decades without changes. As concepts like mass customization have begun to permeate both factory automation and process control environments, the need for efficient modularization becomes critical. This is where MTP fits into the picture.
Within the scope of MTP, the software into which an MTP file is imported is defined as the Process Orchestration Layer (POL). This would be the software behind the DCS, SCADA or MES, for example. When an MTP file is imported into the POL, offline service engineering (orchestration) is performed along with communication configuration via OPC UA. If recipe/batch engineering is applicable, MTP utilizes the ISA 88 standard. The next step is an Orchestration Test (plug) and then to begin (play). Therefore, it is truly “plug and play” capable.
MTP has caught the attention of companies across industries in process control environments and hybrid process/factory environments. As demand grows beyond mere interoperability and into the easy integration of machines independent of their native control system, we expect proportionate demand for MTP. The standard is an open technology that can be developed by any vendor for their products.
