Axoverse Digital Twin Platform

Axoverse provides a fully integrated platform for operating digital twins

The Axoverse Digital Twin Platform is a comprehensive solution for building, deploying, and managing digital twin applications. It provides a wide range of capabilities across data management, integration, intelligence, user experience, management, and trustworthiness. The platform is designed to support various industries and use cases, enabling organizations to create digital representations of physical assets, processes, and systems.

The platform consists of several key components, each offering specific functionalities and benefits. These components include xBase, Axelle, xScape, xScape Pro, xBase Analytics, xWorld Remote, xWorld Assets, xPrivacy, xSim, BI Integrator, xBPM, and xChain. Together, these components form a powerful ecosystem for developing and deploying digital twin solutions.

The Axoverse Digital Twin Platform supports a wide range of client end-user devices, server-side self-hosted options, and cloud-based deployments. It also provides robust CI/CD services to ensure seamless integration and deployment of digital twin applications.

This document provides an overview of the Axoverse Digital Twin Platform, detailing its components, capabilities, and supported environments.

Note: Capabilities are based on the Digital Twin Consortium's Digital Twin Capabilities Periodic table.

Table of Contents

xBase Server

The xBase Server is the core component of the Axoverse Digital Twin Platform, providing a wide range of capabilities for data management, integration, and analytics. It enables high-speed data ingestion, streaming, transformation, and contextualization, as well as batch and real-time processing.

Supported Capabilities

Data Acquisition and Ingestion

The ability to configure and acquire data from different data sources including control system, historians, IoT sensors, smart devices, engineering system, enterprise systems etc.

xBase supports high speed CSV ingestion via C++ and API-based ingestion. It also supports ODBC and many other ingestion methods via embedded Python.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Supported

Data Streaming

The ability to transfer of large volumes of data continuously and incrementally between a source and a destination without having to access all data at the same time.

xBase supports high speed inbound streaming via API. Outbound streaming is possible via customer-developed C++ modules.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Supported

Data Transformation and Wrangling

The ability to convert data types and properties through cleaning, structuring and enriching raw data to make if suitable for further processing and analytics

xBase uses embedded Python for flexibility in data transformation and wrangling. It also provides xBase C++ custom dynamic modules, which utilizes C++ for high speed processing.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Supported

Data Contextualization

The ability to add language or meta-data to enrich real time or transactional data

xBase uses a graph database to contextualize any Thing (graph Vertex) through relationships defined as edges to other Things. Edges also have further context such as type and data fields.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Supported

Batch Processing

The ability to execute against previously collected data in bulk form

xBase's task system supports short or long-running batch jobs within the server.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Supported

Real-time processing

The ability to manage and act on the captured data with minimal latency

xBase provides soft-realtime support through separate threads and memory-speed latency. Hard realtime is not directly supported but possible through C API running on appropriate OS.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Supported

Temporal (Time Series) Data Store

The ability to store, organize and retrieve data relating to time instances through temporal data types, and stores information relating to past, present and potentially future time.

xBase supports circular time series buffer (configurable size) or continuously expanding time series to ensure no data loss (however memory usage will increase).

Module type: Core | Current support status: Supported

Backlog and Future Capabilities

Data PubSub Push

The ability to package filtered data to different services based on publish / subscribe model

Module type: Core | Current support status: Backlog

Backlog/Future comments: Supported through writing own C++ system to accept subscribers and publish events using one of many C++ pub sub frameworks.

Data Storage and Archive Services

The ability to store, organize and retrieve data based on how frequently it will be accessed and how long it will be retained.

Module type: Extension | Current support status: Future

Axelle

Axelle is the AI and machine learning component of the Axoverse Digital Twin Platform. It provides capabilities for prediction, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, enabling the platform to learn from data, identify patterns, and make decisions with minimal human intervention.

Supported Capabilities

Prediction

The ability to estimate that a specified event will happen in the future or will be a consequence of other events.

Axelle provides a basic engine to predict via risk aggregation. It also supports PyTorch training and inference via Python.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Moderate Support

Machine Learning (ML)

The ability of computer algorithms that improve a digital twin automatically through experience. The algorithms build a mathematical model based on "training data", in order to make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed to do so. It is seen as a subset of artificial intelligence.

Axelle supports PyTorch and Scikit learn via Python. It also provides support for embedded C++ PyTorch interface for faster speed.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Moderate Support

Artificial Intelligence

The ability for a system to perform actions and take decisions like humans. AI would include machine learning, natural language processing, knowledge modelling and representation, reasoning, inference etc. It is based on the capacity of a computer to perform operations analogous to learning and decision-making in humans, as by an expert system, a program for CAD or CAM, or a program for the perception and recognition of shapes in computer vision systems.

Axelle provides integration with GenAI via APIs. It also supports older AIML style Virtual assistance. Other AI support is available via Python.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Moderate Support

Backlog and Future Capabilities

Command and Control

The ability to execute upon work instructions without human interaction. Control would be limited to IoT devices and non-plant controls.

Module type: Extension | Current support status: Partial Support

Backlog/Future comments: Possible to trigger external commands via APIs. Related to Orchestration. Implement a more complete command/control service

Prescriptive Recommendations

The ability to create prescriptive recommendations based on business rules and AI logic to suggest the best next actions to take when a pre-determined event happens.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Backlog

Backlog/Future comments: Generate prescriptive recommendations based on other AI or analytical output.

Federated Learning

The ability to train an algorithm across multiple decentralized digital twin edge devices or servers holding local data samples, without exchanging their data samples.

Module type: Extension | Current support status: Future

xScape

xScape is the visualization component of the Axoverse Digital Twin Platform. It provides capabilities for basic and advanced visualization, real-time monitoring, and entity relationship visualization, helping users understand the significance of data by placing it in a visual context.

Supported Capabilities

Basic Visualization

The ability to graphically or parametrically (that is, through parameters and values) visualize data through simple charts, graphs, simple dashboards, tables, hierarchical and basic 3D views of the as sets.

xScape provides in-client visualisation graph, relationships, valueset results, and graph based data.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Supported

Real-time Monitoring

The ability to present and interact with continuously updated information streaming at zero or low latency.

xScape supports real-time visualization of newly arrived data in front end client. xBase can trigger processing on arrival of new data in real time (soft).

Module type: Core | Current support status: Supported

Gaming Engine Visualization

The ability to create immersive virtual worlds and interactive experiences with gaming engine technology

xScape provides native game engine visualisation via its Unity-based client.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Supported

3D rendering

The ability to render 3D visualizations from point cloud data sets generated by LiDAR and other scanning technologies

xScape provides native 3D rendering via its Unity-based client.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Supported

Backlog and Future Capabilities

Entity Relationship Visualization

The ability to present Digital Twin entities and their hierarchical or graph-based relationships in an interactive way

Module type: Extension | Current support status: Partial Support

Backlog/Future comments: Some display of graph database within xScape. Backlog to add more for design-time & schema enforcement.

Advanced Visualization

The ability to graphically or parametrically (that is, through parameters and values), visualize data through complex charts and graphs, dashboards fetching raw and process data from multiple systems, complex 3D models and, animations, visualizations with overlaid data from different systems.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Partial Support

Backlog/Future comments: Advanced custom visualisation possible via custom extensions for xScape or other 3rd party visualisation tools integrated via APIs.

xScape Pro

xScape Pro is an extension of xScape that provides advanced visualization capabilities, including support for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) devices.

Supported Capabilities

Augmented Reality (AR)

The ability to provide an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real world are enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information such as visual, auditory, haptic etc. environment.

xScape Pro supports Hololens 2.0. It is possible to support any device supported by Unity. Magic Leap 1.0 POC has been done.

Module type: Extension | Current support status: Supported

Virtual Reality (VR)

The ability to provide a simulated experience that can be similar to, or completely different from the real world.

xScape Pro supports Meta Quest 2. It is possible to support any device supported by Unity.

Module type: Extension | Current support status: Supported

xBase Analytics

xBase Analytics is an extension of xBase that provides capabilities for data analysis, analytics, and mathematical calculations.

Supported Capabilities

Data Analysis and Analytics

The study and presentation of data to create information and knowledge. The ability to analyze data through charts, tables, dashboards, fetch data between dates, and filter data based on various criteria. The analysis of data, typically large sets of business data, using mathematics, statistics, and computer software with an objective to draw conclusions.

xBase Analytics provides basic spatial analysis and analytics that run within C++ services (e.g. for outbreak analysis and generating resulting spread maps). Further analytics are possible via embedded Python and its analytics libraries.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Moderate Support

Mathematical Analytics (Engineering Calculations)

The ability to perform mathematical and statical calculations to enable physics-based and other mathematical models

xBase Analytics supports mathematical analytics via Python or C++ library integration

Module type: Extension | Current support status: Partial Support

Backlog/Future comments: Examples of mathematical analytics integration with common packages

xWorld Remote

xWorld Remote is a component of the Axoverse Digital Twin Platform that provides capabilities for IoT device management and integration.

Supported Capabilities

OT/IoT system integration

The ability to integrate directly with control systems and IOT devices/sensors, SCADA

xWorld Remote provides its own IoT platform based on RPI. It is considering other options, such as EdgeX.

Module type: Extension | Current support status: Moderate Support

Device Security

The ability to enforce authenticated and authorized access to IoT device data through identity management, role-based access, encryption, and policies

For IOT, xWorld Remote's device security is dependent on device setup. It fully integrates with Linux systemd and new OS versions support additional native encryption/protection.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Partial Support

Backlog and Future Capabilities

Device Management

The ability to provision and authenticate, configure, maintain, monitor and diagnose connected IoT devices operating as part of Digital Twin environment

Module type: Extension | Current support status: Future

Backlog/Future comments: Using Open source tools for remote management of IOT devices.

Edge AI and Intelligence

The ability to make decisions at the device level based on real -time data, distribution and federation of analytics at the edge instead of transporting the data to the cloud to perform analytics.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Future

Backlog/Future comments: Via IoT integration. xBase can run part of the Graph on edge and run most server services there. If IoT device supports GPU (e.g. Jetson Nano), this can be leveraged.

xWorld Assets

xWorld Assets is a component of the Axoverse Digital Twin Platform that provides a repository of pre-built 3D objects and models for use in digital twin environments.

Supported Capabilities

Digital Twin Model Repository

The ability to store, manage and retrieve the meta-data that describe the digital twin model. The model can include formal data names, comprehensive data definitions, proper data structures, and precise data integrity rules.

xWorld Assets provides over 50 pre-built open source 3d FBX objects primarily focused on buildings, packaged as an asset package from upm.axoverse.io. It also includes 3 full building models for Hospital, Hotel and Office Building.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Partial Support

xPrivacy

xPrivacy is a component of the Axoverse Digital Twin Platform that provides capabilities for managing and protecting personally identifiable information (PII) data.

Supported Capabilities

Privacy

The ability to enable the rights of individuals that interact with Digital Twins to control or influence what information related to them may be collected and stored and by whom and to whom that information may be disclosed

xPrivacy module either one-way hashes or encrypts PII data. Client has support for per-user unlock keys to view PII data. Using Axomem Gateway server allows on premise hashing/encryption and no PII directly accessible in public cloud or with GenAI public services.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Supported

xSim

xSim is a component of the Axoverse Digital Twin Platform that provides capabilities for simulation and synthetic data generation.

Supported Capabilities

Simulation

The ability to create approximate imitation of a process or a system using past historical information, physical models, video, audio, and animation, what-if-scenarios.

xSim provides spatial simulation directly within Unity editor.

Module type: Extension | Current support status: Partial Support

Backlog/Future comments: Push updates back to xBase for logging, visualization or replay. Data simulation on xBase possible via various open source C++ or Python simulation frameworks (e.g. SOFA, SimPy)

Synthetic Data Generation

The ability to generate synthetic data based on patterns and rules in existing sources

xSim provides a synthetic data generation framework and example for "Random Patient Data Generator" that sits behind AMB_Hospital demo.

Module type: Extension | Current support status: Partial Support

BI Integrator

BI Integrator is a component of the Axoverse Digital Twin Platform that provides capabilities for integrating with business intelligence (BI) tools and platforms.

Supported Capabilities

Dashboards

The ability to provide a graphical user interface which provides at-a-glance views of key performance indicators relevant to a particular objective or business process.

BI Integrator supports standard dashboards based on computed values within the platform.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Moderate Support

Backlog and Future Capabilities

Business Intelligence

The ability to analyze stored data (records) to derive insights and actions in a business user focused visual interface

Module type: Extension | Current support status: Backlog

Backlog/Future comments: Add Jupyter Notebook type functionality on server with embedded integration. Support API-based integration to common BI tools Like PowerBI, Tableau

xBPM

xBPM is a component of the Axoverse Digital Twin Platform that provides capabilities for business process management and workflow.

Backlog and Future Capabilities

Business Rules

The ability to create, manage and use business rules that influence the digital twin behavior throughout its lifecycle

Module type: Extension | Current support status: Backlog

Backlog/Future comments: Integrate Rules services based on JSON Decision Model (JDM), e.g. GoRules.

Business Process Management & Workflow

The ability to execute a sequence of actions as a process flow to achieve specific business outcomes

Module type: Extension | Current support status: Future

xChain

xChain is a component of the Axoverse Digital Twin Platform that provides capabilities for distributed ledger and smart contract integration.

Backlog and Future Capabilities

Distributed Ledger and Smart Contracts

The ability to use distributed ledgers for digital twin applications that require immutable data for digital twin instances, transactions and automation (smart contracts)

Module type: Extension | Current support status: Backlog

Backlog/Future comments: First planned use case is non-repudiable action log using internal blockchain with optional external blockchain integration (e.g. Ethereum API)

Platform

The Axoverse Digital Twin Platform provides a comprehensive set of capabilities for building, deploying, and managing digital twin solutions. In addition to the specific components and capabilities described above, the platform also offers general features related to reliability, resilience, and safety.

Supported Capabilities

Reliability

The ability of a Digital Twin system or component to perform its required functions under stated conditions for a specified period of time. This includes expected levels of performance, QoS, functional availability and accuracy.

The Axoverse Digital Twin Platform's reliability is primarily achieved via underlying platform engineering. The Axoverse IAC template supports multiple options for increasing reliability with cost tradeoffs based on AWS cloud services.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Supported

Backlog/Future comments: Azure platform support.

Resilience

The ability of a Digital Twin system or component to maintain an acceptable level of service in the face of disruption. This includes the ability to recover lost capacity in a timely manner (using a more or less automated procedure), or to reassign workloads and functions.

The Axoverse Digital Twin Platform's resilience is based on platform engineering, similar to its reliability capabilities.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Supported

Safety

The ability to operate digital twins without causing unacceptable risk of physical injury or damage to the health of people, either directly, or indirectly as a result of damage to property or to the environment

The Axoverse Digital Twin Platform overall has automated test frameworks established for major components. Full rebuild and test of the platform is performed every evening. Additional test framework templates are available for client functionality.

Module type: Core | Current support status: Moderate Support

Supported Environments

Client End-User Devices

The Axoverse Digital Twin Platform supports a wide range of client end-user devices, including browsers, desktop executables, iOS, Android, and selected VR and AR headsets. Essentially, any device supported by Unity 3D can be used as a client device for the platform.

Server-Side Self-Hosted Options

The Axoverse Digital Twin Platform can be self-hosted on various server-side environments, including regular X86 servers, virtual machines, Docker/OCI-compatible containers, and Raspberry Pi for IoT. The server can also run on Desktops/Laptops/NUC type devices for development, POCs, and small-scale deployments.

Server Cloud-Based Option

The Axoverse Digital Twin Platform currently focuses on AWS for its cloud-based server option, using Terraform for full Infrastructure As Code (IAC) deployment and full container-based deployment.

CI/CD Services

The Axoverse Digital Twin Platform's CI/CD services run on Jenkins. This includes Sonar Cloud SAST and DAST scanning with OWASP ZAP. Axomem can host client CI/CD or provide support to customer-hosted environments.