XML/XPath

XPath – XML Query Language

The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is an important standard for communicating structured data across the internet. For this reason, XML is also used both for value or parameter entry and output in IT-connected and internet-ready production systems around the world. The XML Path Language – in short XPATH – allows easy XML data access for the OPC Router. The XPath plug-in allows easy extraction of desired information, which is then passed on to other customer-specified destinations in other connected systems. The XML/XPath functionality is already included in the basic version of the OPC Router.

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Example of a query via REST at current exchange rates

Achieving more with combined systems

XML can transmit and exchange data as document between systems. In detail, this means that complex and interrelated or connected data like, for instance, production orders are transferred as one data document between systems. The data document is an XML packet parser that caters for fast and efficient information transfer, which can be tuned to be a perfect fit for a company’s production environment.

Industry 4.0 via XML and XPath

Networked production and manufacturing heavily relies on data transmission between systems. XML is a powerful format for describing complex data and for making Industry 4.0 a reality in your industry segment, which is highly automated and organized along a value chain of production as well as a value chain of supply management.

About OPC Router

The OPC Router offers a visual network configuration interface for successful cross-linking of your systems. A high variety of plug-ins turns the OPC Router into a powerful data hub for industrial applications.

Easy configuration, sophisticated monitoring and robustness are main distinguishing features of the OPC Router.

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Connecting Systems

What’s Transfer, Trigger and Browsing?

Transfer Objects

The transfer object of the XPath plug-in allows access to incoming XML documents.

XPath Query

The query expects an XML document as entry data field. The XPath query is created and formulated in the transfer object by extracting defined data portions – and also data structures – from the source document. Then, the data output is made available to the subsequent objects as data field.

Trigger

The XPath Plug-in does not have its own trigger functions but uses the trigger functions available in the OPC Router.

Browsing

The XPath Plug-in does not use browsing.

XML/XPath Plug-in Application Examples

Evaluate XML responses from REST interfaces

Various data formats are used for system integration via REST interface. Besides JSON, many systems respond to REST requests with XML formatted data. With the integrated XPath object, data can be directly addressed and extracted within the XML packet. A simple example of a REST call with XML response is the exchange rate query of the European Central Bank (ECB). Using XPath, any exchange rate field can be addressed and extracted for a subsequent transfer.

Generate XML files for system interfaces

XML files are often used as a file-based data interface between systems. If the OPC Router is used as middleware for coupling, XPath objects can be used to create and evaluate the interface files according to the specifications of the system to be coupled. Any other OPC Router plug-ins, such as an MS SQL database or a process controller (via OPC UA), serve as the source for the data converted to XML.

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