Evaluating Open-Source Tools for Heterogeneous Model-Based Digital Twin Development: A Microbrewery Case Study

Digital Twins (DTs) are composed of a physical entity, a connected virtual entity comprised of heterogeneous components (i.e., simulation models and data sources), and specific services built on top of these entities. DT developers’ challenges are integrating and orchestrating its components to build such services. Integration concerns the encapsulation and communication among the components, while orchestration focuses on execution aspects. In this study, we examine the potential for integration and orchestration of three frameworks suitable for DT design, with heterogeneous components, and paired with open-source tools tailored to support them. A microbrewery DT was built as a case study, supporting two services. Our findings reveal that while the frameworks facilitate DT development, they only partially address requirements for integration and orchestration. Particularly, the evaluated tools are complex to use to define orchestration, while integration support is limited. Consequently, such open-source tools benefit from an orchestration approach to reduce complexity and increase integration support.