COMMUNICATION OF A REMOTE CONTROL TERMINAL BASED ON A MODULE TYPE PACKAGE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for generating automation for a remote control terminal. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a functional module in a technical system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer-implemented project planning tool, an engineering station server, a control system for a technical system, and a computer-readable medium.

[0002] Critical infrastructure systems such as distribution networks for water, heat, electricity, gas, and hydrogen place particular demands on automation technology due to their required availability and wide geographical distribution. These networks consist of pipelines that connect decentralized distribution centers over hundreds of kilometers, thus creating a mesh network of distribution centers and interconnectors.

[0003] Operating parameters are monitored and controlled at stations along the pipelines and at connections. These stations are system-relevant and so automated that they do not require on-site personnel. For operation and monitoring of these systems, they are connected to a central control and monitoring system. These systems are also known as remote terminal units (RTUs).

[0004] These remote control terminals are usually located far from populated areas and therefore cannot always be reached with stable communication. Special telecontrol protocols have been defined for connecting such remote control terminals, which are designed to meet the robustness requirements for connecting the remote control terminals.

[0005] In the past, the integration of such remote control terminals played a rather minor role in infrastructure projects. Manual project planning steps are not uncommon in this area, as the operating time was always many times longer than the project duration. In recent years, however, discussions about the energy transition have increasingly highlighted the problem that many infrastructure projects take too long after approval and construction approval. The need for harmonization and standardization of interfaces to optimize integration options will play an increasingly important role in the future. The photovoltaic industry, the hydrogen industry, and system service providers in energy transmission also include this requirement in their current research roadmaps.

[0006] Today's integration workflows in infrastructure projects involving remote control terminals are mostly manual or only partially automated processes. The scope of such integration ranges from individual data points to operating screens and alarms. Due to the high level of manual work, errors during integration cannot be completely ruled out. For this reason, extensive testing is required for each integrated remote control terminal. The publication WO2022155356 shows an example of a remote control terminal for a wastewater treatment plant.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of simplifying communication between a remote control terminal and a system for operating and monitoring the remote control terminal.

[0008] This object is achieved by a method for generating automation for a remote control terminal, in which the automation for the remote control terminal is generated by a computer-implemented configuration tool in accordance with the specifications of the VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658 standard in order to enable subsequent communication of the remote control terminal with a control system for a technical system for operating and monitoring the remote control terminal, wherein a data communication part of the automation is adapted to the specific requirements of communication of the remote control terminal with external processing units, and wherein bidirectional communication mechanisms provided for in the VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658 standard are replaced by two unidirectional communication mechanisms each.

[0009] A technical facility can be a facility in the process industry, such as a chemical, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, or food and beverages industry. This also includes any technical facility in the manufacturing industry, such as factories where cars or other goods of all kinds are produced. Wind turbines, solar systems, or power plants for energy generation are also included in the term "technical facility."

[0010] "Automation" refers to the independent (automated) recording and influencing of physical variables using technical means, in this case the means of the remote control terminal. Automation includes at least the parameterization of the remote control terminal's components and the interaction of the remote control terminal with an external processing unit, such as a control system of a technical facility. The remote control terminal is a self-contained technical unit that can be integrated into a communication system with a higher-level control level of the control system.

[0011] The remote control terminal can include any combination of individual control elements, sensors, or automation components. Software representations of individual control elements, for example, can also be part of the remote control terminal.

[0012] The automation is created using a computer-implemented engineering tool. One example is the "Totally Integrated Automation Portal (TIA Portal)" from Siemens. The automation is created in such a way that the resulting automation follows the specifications of the VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658 standard. This means, in particular, that the automation data structure and rules for communication with external communication partners are structured according to the specifications of the VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658 standard. The specifications are based on those already published on the filing date. The VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658 standard describes so-called "Module Type Packages (MTP)," which are used to describe automation for self-contained, modular technical units.

[0013] The automation of the remote control terminal includes a data communication component that specifies data exchange with external communication partners of the remote control terminal. According to the invention, the bidirectional communication mechanisms provided for in the VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658 standard are replaced by two unidirectional communication mechanisms. Common communication mechanisms previously used for communication between remote control terminals utilize unidirectional communication mechanisms to transmit information from the remote control terminal to an operator control and monitoring system. The reverse transmission direction is difficult for remote control terminals due to the often harsh operating conditions, which is why the specification of bidirectional communication is unnecessary.

[0014] The invention solves the problem of reconciling common communication mechanisms for remote control terminals with the bidirectional nature of the communication part of the VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658 standard, and thereby simplifies the communication of a remote control terminal with a system for operating and monitoring the remote control terminal.

[0015] Preferably, the data communication part of the automation is adapted to the requirements of the IEC 60870-5-104 standard, in which the bidirectional communication mechanisms are replaced by unidirectional telegrams according to the IEC 60870-5-104 standard.

[0016] The previously created automation can be automatically transferred to the remote control terminal using the computer-implemented configuration tool so that the remote control terminal can then be operated as intended.

[0017] Using the automation generated and transferred to the remote control terminal, communication with the control system for operating and monitoring the remote control terminal can be established.

[0018] The engineering tool can be part of the control system. However, it can also be separate, independent technical devices. For example, the engineering tool can be used by a manufacturer of the remote control terminal, while an operator of a technical facility in which information from the remote control terminal is collected and used can use the control system for operation and monitoring (including the remote control terminal).

[0019] The previously formulated problem is also solved by a computer-implemented project planning tool that is designed to carry out a method as explained above.

[0020] The previously formulated task is also solved by an engineering station server on which such a configuration tool is computer-implemented.

[0021] The object is also achieved by a control system for a technical system, which is designed to operate and monitor at least one remote control terminal, wherein the control system is designed to integrate the automation generated as previously explained for the operation and monitoring of the remote control terminal.

[0022] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method as previously explained.

Claims

1. Method for generating automation for a remote terminal unit, in which automation for the remote terminal unit is generated by a computer-implemented configuration tool in conformance with the specifications of the VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658 standard, to enable later communication of the remote terminal unit with a control system for an industrial plant for the operation and monitoring of the remote terminal unit, wherein a data communications part of the automation is adapted to the specific requirements of communication of the remote terminal unit with external computing units, and wherein bidirectional communication mechanisms provided for in the VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658 standard are replaced by in each case two unidirectional communication mechanisms.

2. Method according to claim 1, in which the data communications part of the automation is adapted to the requirements of the IEC 60870-5-104 standard, and in which the bidirectional communication mechanisms are replaced by unidirectional telegrams in conformance with the IEC 60870-5-104 standard.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the generated automation is transferred to the remote terminal unit.

4. Method according to claim 3, in which communication with the control system for the operation and monitoring of the remote terminal unit is set up with the aid of the generated automation that has been transferred to the remote terminal unit.

5. Computer-implemented configuration tool that is constructed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 3.

6. Engineering station server on which a configuration tool according to claim 5 is implemented by computer.

7. Control system for an industrial plant, which is constructed to operate and monitor at least one remote terminal unit, wherein the control system is constructed to integrate the automation that is generated according to claim 1 or 2 for the operation and monitoring of the remote terminal unit.

8. Computer-readable medium, comprising commands which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 3.

9. Computer-readable medium, comprising commands which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to claim 4.