Method for Generating Self-Description Data Modules

A method for generating a respective self-description data module in each case in relation to at least one of (i) at least one functionality and (ii) at least one component of a device or installation, a data collection comprising engineering elements from at least one of three data sources, a first data source containing automation engineering data in relation to at least one of automation and an automation plan of the installation or device or parts thereof, a second data source containing mechanical computer aided design data in relation to a mechanical and/or spatial plan of the device or installation or parts thereof, and/or in relation to a mechanical and/or spatial design of the device or installation or parts thereof, and a third data source containing electrical computer aided design data in relation to an electrical plan and/or circuit diagram of the device or installation or parts thereof, and/or in relation to an electrical design and/or implemented circuit diagram of the device or installation or parts thereof, the method comprising:

• a.) ascertaining relationship information respectively associated with engineering elements of the data collection;
• b.) generating a multigraph comprising nodes and connections between nodes, the nodes each being associated with engineering elements of the data collection and the connections each being associated with relationship information ascertained in accordance with step a.);
• c.) applying a clustering method to the multigraph to ascertain at least one sub-graph within the multigraph;
• d.) selecting a sub-graph from the at least one sub-graph ascertained in step c.);
• and
• e.) creating a self-description data module in relation to a component and/or a functionality of the device or installation, the self-description data module comprising the selected sub-graph and/or information contained in the sub-graph.