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Architecture4 → Architecture5

Automation System · by Contech

Architecture5

The automation architecture for the era of AI and Ethernet-APL. From rigid systems to flexible, from closed to open, from analogue to native digital.

System schematic
Cloud AI services, protected supervision, a segmented plant backbone, autonomous SSE modules with RIU local control — down to a native digital field.

1

network segment per SSE — born segmented

2

wires to the field — Ethernet-APL, IS included

0

flow computers in MeteringO&G-5

24/7

remote assistance, diagnostics, prognostics

01

Why now

Traditional control systems — 4-20mA, DCS — were the state of the art for decades. Fieldbuses first, and today networking, AI and the Industrie 4.0/5.0 paradigms, have changed the very structure of automation systems. Architecture5 is the answer: open PAC and softlogic SCADA platforms at every hierarchical level, conceived digital and cyber-secure from the foundation.

A4 → A5The evolution of Architecture4 — re-founded for AI, Ethernet-APL and OT cyber security.

  • Open

    PAC & softlogic SCADA platforms, open at every hierarchical level.

  • Native digital

    Conceived digital from the foundation — not converted afterwards.

  • Cyber-secure

    Security as a design criterion, from cloud boundary to field I/O.

02

The architecture

SSE · 01

SSE — Elementary functional Subsystems

The plant is divided into autonomous functional modules — process units or packages — each with its own local control. The network is born segmented.

RIU · 02

RIU — Remote Intelligent Unit

Each SSE is governed by a RIU (open SCADA with AI, or PAC): distributed intelligence, redundant where required, independent from the centre.

SUP · 03

Supervision & cloud

A central SCADA operator station towards the field; a remote-assistance server towards cloud AI and analytics services. Every boundary is protected: VPN, firewalls, functional filters.

Inside an SSE
Redundant RIU, managed switch, intrinsically safe Ethernet-APL field segment, native digital instruments, Profinet actuators with diagnostics — and legacy 4-20mA I/O during the transition.
03

Structural cyber security

Not a component added afterwards: a design criterion.

Segmentation by SSE

The network is born segmented: one autonomous segment per functional module.

VPN & firewalls

Every boundary crossing is protected — supervision, remote assistance, cloud.

Functional filters

On SCADA and remote assistance: only the intended operations pass.

Down to field I/O

Hardware, software and procedural techniques — including the field I/O.

04

Transition to advanced digital

Architecture5 is all-encompassing: it manages existing 4-20mA analogue signals and any fieldbus, and is specifically oriented to the transition towards Ethernet-APL — two wires, intrinsically safe versions included — with native digital field instruments and Profinet actuators with integrated diagnostics: maintenance before the failure, not after.

05

Complete integration

One architecture, every function of the plant — and the technologies that carry them.

ControlHMISISF&GTelecomMachine monitoringDiagnosticsPredictive & prognostic maintenanceRemote assistanceSafetySecurity

Technologies

ProfinetEthernet-APLOPC-UAomloxIO-LinkFDIIIoTProfinetEthernet-APLOPC-UAomloxIO-LinkFDIIIoTProfinetEthernet-APLOPC-UAomloxIO-LinkFDIIIoT

+ plus cloud AI & analytics services (e.g. Siemens Insights Hub)

Oil & Gas · 06

The most demanding application: Oil & Gas fiscal metering.

Native digital data, no flow computer, fiscal rigor by design. MeteringO&G-5 is Architecture5 applied to custody transfer.

Explore MeteringO&G-5
  • No flow computer
  • Native digital measurement
  • Designed for MID compliance
07

Network — how we work

Architecture5 is built on a shared know-how model: a network of companies, consultants and specialists coordinated by Contech.

Become a partner
08

Contact

Request a technical presentation of Architecture5 or MeteringO&G-5 — or write to us about the partner network.

Or write directly:

info@architecture5.com
  • +39 06 4525 7358
  • Via Bussoleno 11 — 00166 Roma
  • Via Po 10 — 63845 Ponzano di Fermo (FM)