Schneider Electric (Korea Branch CEO Kim Kyung-rok), a global leader in digital innovation in energy management and automation, has partnered with Intel and Red Hat to build a next-generation open automation infrastructure.

Schneider Electric announced today that it has launched a new software framework, the Distributed Control Node (DCN), an extension of EcoStruxure™ Automation Expert, in collaboration with Intel and Red Hat.

Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure Automation Expert is a universal automation product based on the IEC61499 international standard.

The system is an open platform that enables the modeling and deployment of software applications independently of the underlying hardware infrastructure, enabling the construction of software-centric automation applications.

The new software framework, a collaboration between Schneider Electric, Intel, and Red Hat, consists of two components.

The Advanced Compute Platform (ACP) oversees control workloads by providing the content control and automation capabilities needed to deploy workloads in a secure, programmatic manner, along with virtualization and monitoring capabilities.

DCN is a low-power industrial processor that uses the Intel Atom x6400E series processor. As a system, it is at the heart of an open automation approach that can provide users with greater flexibility and growth.

In particular, the framework aligns with the vision of the Open Process Automation Forum (OPAF), which is designed to create industrial process automation systems with an open, interoperable, and secure architecture.

“Open, interconnected commercial solutions will help us transition from fixed-function, proprietary devices to flexible, dynamic, software-driven infrastructure,” said Christine Boles, vice president and general manager of industry solutions for Intel’s Network and Edge Business Unit. “Intel has a long history of driving an open systems approach across its ecosystem. “This collaboration will enable the development of a software-based infrastructure that will showcase next-generation distributed control nodes built on general-purpose computing and operating systems,” he explained.

“Red Hat is committed to helping manufacturers realize autonomous operations on the factory floor,” said Francis Chow, vice president and general manager, In-Vehicle Operating Systems and Edge, Red Hat. “Working with Schneider Electric and Intel allows us to leverage a platform approach to help them build scalable, software-defined factories and operations with advanced automation and interoperability.”

“This new software framework is the result of two years of collaborative innovation to create efficient and future-proof distributed control systems,” said Nathalie Marcotte, Senior Vice President, Process Automation, Schneider Electric. “The DCN Framework is key to fostering an open automation approach that empowers industrial companies to grow and innovate for the future. Interoperability and portability give customers the freedom to configure the technology to meet their business needs.”