TwinArch: A Digital Twin Reference Architecture

2025-04-10

AI Summary

Digital twins (DTs) suffer from conceptual ambiguity and poor cross-domain reusability due to the absence of a unified definition and standardized reference architecture (RA). To address this, we propose TwinArch—the first domain-agnostic, multi-perspective DT reference architecture. TwinArch innovatively decouples structural and dynamic behavioral views to eliminate semantic ambiguity inherent in monolithic architectures. It adopts the “Views and Beyond” methodology for rigorous architectural modeling and is rigorously validated through three iterative design science research cycles: a systematic literature review, industrial practice feedback, and expert validation involving 20 domain specialists. TwinArch supports DT system design, development, and documentation of legacy systems; its architecture website and reproducibility package are publicly open-sourced. Expert evaluation confirms its completeness and engineering applicability, establishing TwinArch as a plug-and-play architectural foundation for smart manufacturing, smart cities, and other DT-intensive domains.

Technology Category

• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Agent Architectures
• Machine Learning: Deep Neural Architectures and Foundation Models
• Multiagent Systems: Agent/AI Theories and Architectures

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web applications in cross-disciplinary domains and verticals such as mixed reality, smart cities, and digital health
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Vertical and domain-specific search
• Semantics and Knowledge: Data modeling to support human-machine intelligence, including LLMs agents, intelligent system behavior, explanations, and user-friendly interactions

Abstract

Background. Digital Twins (DTs) are dynamic virtual representations of physical systems, enabled by seamless, bidirectional communication between the physical and digital realms. Among the challenges impeding the widespread adoption of DTs is the absence of a universally accepted definition and a standardized DT Reference Architecture (RA). Existing state-of-the-art architectures remain largely domain-specific, primarily emphasizing aspects like modeling and simulation. Furthermore, they often combine structural and dynamic elements into unified, all-in-one diagrams, which adds to the ambiguity and confusion surrounding the concept of Digital Twins. Objective. To address these challenges, this work aims to contribute a domain-independent, multi-view Digital Twin Reference Architecture that can help practitioners in architecting and engineering their DTs. Method. We adopted the design science methodology, structured into three cycles: (i) an initial investigation conducting a Systematic Literature Review to identify key architectural elements, (ii) preliminary design refined via feedback from practitioners, and (iii) final artifact development, integrating knowledge from widely adopted DT development platforms and validated through an expert survey of 20 participants. Results. The proposed Digital Twin Reference Architecture is named TwinArch. It is documented using the Views and Beyond methodology by the Software Engineering Institute. TwinArch website and replication package: https://alessandrasomma28.github.io/twinarch/ Conclusion. TwinArch offers practitioners practical artifacts that can be utilized for designing and developing new DT systems across various domains. It enables customization and tailoring to specific use cases while also supporting the documentation of existing DT systems.

Problem

• Lack of standardized Digital Twin Reference Architecture
• Domain-specific architectures limit widespread DT adoption
• Ambiguity in combining structural and dynamic DT elements

Innovation

• Domain-independent multi-view reference architecture
• Design science methodology with three cycles
• Views and Beyond documentation methodology