The role of interoperability in digital twin for industrial applications

Abstract

The flow of this thesis examines the role of interoperability in digital twin technology and its effectiveness in industrial settings. Digital twin technology has become a cornerstone of Industry 4.0, enabling industries to monitor processes in real time, predict system failures, and optimize operations. However, the full potential of digital twins is hindered by interoperability challenges, which limit seamless data exchange across heterogeneous systems. While existing frameworks like RAMI 4.0, ISO 23247, IEEE P2806, and OPC UA address technical interoperability, they fall short in addressing semantic and dynamic interoperability. This research adopts a qualitative approach based on a systematic literature review and comparative framework analysis. Key findings include semantic inconsistencies, fragmented communication protocols, and static system architecture, which limit cross-industry scalability. The proposed solution is a Unified Digital Twin Interoperability Framework (UDTIF), which integrates standardized ontologies, protocol mediation, and AI-driven adaptability. The findings suggest useful ways for industries to improve system integration, data consistency, and real-time responsiveness of digital twin applications.