Interoperability in digital twin-integrated cyber-physical systems
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Lecture Hall L6 (Pohjola-sali), Linnanmaa campus
Topic of the dissertation
Interoperability in digital twin-integrated cyber-physical systems
Doctoral candidate
Master of Technology Sarthak Acharya
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering and Information Systems (SEIS)
Subject of study
Information Processing Science
Opponent
Associate Professor Elisa Negri, Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy
Custos
Professor Tero Päivärinta, University of Oulu
Interoperability in digital twin-integrated cyber-physical systems
Digital twin-integrated cyber-physical systems (DT-CPS) extend conventional cyber-physical systems (CPS) by positioning digital twins as central operational components rather than external artifacts. In DT-CPS, the twins become persistent digital representations and participate in control loops, supporting application-specific integrations and facilitating the design of complex systems. Such integration makes interoperability multidimensional rather than solely involving technical interfacing. This study examines the interoperability pathways in DT-CPS from a layered perspective, bridging the gap between conceptual understanding and implementable engineering choices.
This thesis is organized into two phases using a design science research (DSR) orientation. Phase I comprises two parallel streams. Stream-A conceptualizes a six-tier interoperability framework for DT-CPS through a literature-based synthesis, thereby clarifying the objectives and scope of each tier. Stream-B generates empirical insights into the challenges and layered view of interoperability based on interviews with industrial DT practitioners. Phase II operationalizes this layered perspective through experiments using two open-source tools: the Eclipse Arrowhead Framework (EAF) and Eclipse Ditto.
The outcomes of the study include: 77 interoperability challenges mapped across six tiers; a practitioner-informed categorization into 7 challenge categories; the drivers and value propositions of the layered DT-CPS model; three use cases demonstrating tier-specific interoperability; and an experimental setup demonstrating the bidirectional DT loop across all six tiers. The discussion reveals that higher-tier attainment requires coordination, governance, and implementation efforts, while operational studies indicate that open-source platforms offer transparent and viable integration pathways.
The thesis contributes to DT-CPS interoperability in three ways: by conceptualizing a six-tier framework, identifying contextual interoperability insights, and operationalizing these through open-source platforms. Cumulatively, it advances a layered perspective of DT-CPS interoperability, supporting DT researchers in systematic planning and the design of enhanced DT-CPS architectures.
This thesis is organized into two phases using a design science research (DSR) orientation. Phase I comprises two parallel streams. Stream-A conceptualizes a six-tier interoperability framework for DT-CPS through a literature-based synthesis, thereby clarifying the objectives and scope of each tier. Stream-B generates empirical insights into the challenges and layered view of interoperability based on interviews with industrial DT practitioners. Phase II operationalizes this layered perspective through experiments using two open-source tools: the Eclipse Arrowhead Framework (EAF) and Eclipse Ditto.
The outcomes of the study include: 77 interoperability challenges mapped across six tiers; a practitioner-informed categorization into 7 challenge categories; the drivers and value propositions of the layered DT-CPS model; three use cases demonstrating tier-specific interoperability; and an experimental setup demonstrating the bidirectional DT loop across all six tiers. The discussion reveals that higher-tier attainment requires coordination, governance, and implementation efforts, while operational studies indicate that open-source platforms offer transparent and viable integration pathways.
The thesis contributes to DT-CPS interoperability in three ways: by conceptualizing a six-tier framework, identifying contextual interoperability insights, and operationalizing these through open-source platforms. Cumulatively, it advances a layered perspective of DT-CPS interoperability, supporting DT researchers in systematic planning and the design of enhanced DT-CPS architectures.
Created 18.8.2026 | Updated 19.8.2026