Overview
ISO 20242-3:2011 - "Industrial automation systems and integration - Service interface for testing applications - Part 3: Virtual device service interface" defines the Virtual Device Service Interface (VDSI) used to communicate with virtual devices that represent capabilities of software modules and physical devices. VDSI is accessed via Resource Management Services as defined in ISO 20242-2. The standard describes service primitives (request/confirm, indication/response), a VDSI object model (virtual devices, function objects, communication objects), service procedures, operating states, service results and implementation guidance.
Keywords: ISO 20242-3, Virtual Device Service Interface, VDSI, industrial automation, service interface, virtual devices, resource management.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and purpose
- Defines a service interface for testing applications to access aggregated device capabilities (software + hardware) as virtual devices.
- Service conventions
- Uses descriptive conventions consistent with ISO/IEC 10731 and defines confirmed services (request/confirm) and event handling (indication/response).
- VDSI model
- UML-based model: VDSI provider, VirtualDevice, FunctionObject, CommunicationObject, Operation.
- Virtual devices map to one or more physical devices and/or software modules.
- Object management
- Lifecycle services: instantiate/initiate, conclude/abort virtual devices; create/delete function objects; execute operations; instantiate communication objects.
- Parameter and primitive semantics
- Parameter usage codes: M (mandatory), I (implementation option), C (conditional), S (selected), O (optional).
- Status, errors and results
- Defined operating states for virtual devices, service results, additional information and error reporting.
- Implementation guidance
- Annex A provides practical guidance for implementing VDSI and mapping to platform adapters and device drivers.
Practical applications and users
Who uses ISO 20242-3:
- Automation and test application developers creating device-independent test frameworks.
- Device driver developers and platform adapter implementers who must expose devices as VDSI virtual devices.
- System integrators and OEMs in automotive and industrial sectors requiring interoperability between measurement/control devices and testing tools.
- QA and test engineers building automated test benches that need consistent device capability descriptions.
Practical benefits:
- Enables platform and vendor independence, consistent device-driver behavior, easier integration of heterogeneous hardware/software, and reuse of testing components across systems.
Related standards
- ISO 20242-1: Overview (Part 1)
- ISO 20242-2: Resource management service interface (Part 2)
- ISO 20242-4: Device capability profile template (Part 4)
- (Parts 5 and 6 - Application program service interface and Conformance test methods - noted as in preparation in the 2011 edition)
Using ISO 20242-3 alongside Parts 1–4 supports interoperable, scalable testing and automation solutions that abstract device specifics behind well-defined service interfaces.