A plant-wide monitoring system configuration method

Abstract

The application provides a plant-wide monitoring system configuration method, comprising the following steps: configuring a plant-wide configuration software module and a configuration interface in a plant-wide monitoring application server; configuring a workstation configuration module and a workstation configuration communication interface in each PID workstation; configuring a configuration software component service in an intermediate service layer, which is used for communicating with the configuration communication interface and calling the workstation configuration module interface; configuring address information of the PID workstations to be accessed in the plant-wide monitoring application server; the plant-wide configuration software module sends a request to the configuration software component service through the configuration communication interface, and calls the workstation configuration communication interface of the PID workstation; the workstation configuration module of the PID workstation acquires configuration information in an OPC server of the PID workstation, uploads the configuration information to the plant-wide monitoring application server through the configuration software component service and the configuration communication interface for processing and saving, and realizes one-time configuration and centralized management of the plant-wide monitoring system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of industrial automation / advanced control, and specifically relates to a plant-wide monitoring system configuration method for evaluating the performance of industrial control software loops. Background Technology

[0002] Statistics show that over 90% of automatic control loops employ PID (proportional, integral, differential) control strategies. With the gradual improvement of industrial automation, large-scale distributed control systems (DCS) have become essential for industrial production. Based on this, by adopting a distributed deployment approach, and by aggregating and centrally displaying the real-time evaluation and statistical results of multiple devices scattered across different work units, plant-wide distributed PID performance evaluation can be achieved, building upon single-node PID performance evaluation.

[0003] For example, Chinese invention patent CN112415989A, entitled "A Plant-wide Monitoring System and Method for Loop Performance Evaluation," discloses a plant-wide monitoring system and method for loop performance evaluation. This system includes a plant-wide monitoring server, a data communication component, and several PID performance evaluation workstations. The plant-wide monitoring server includes a configuration software module and a plant-wide monitoring service module. The plant-wide monitoring server sends command requests to the PID performance evaluation workstations via the data communication component. The designated PID performance evaluation workstations, based on the request, collect relevant data from the controlled device and return it to the plant-wide monitoring server for analysis and processing via the data communication component. This patent's proposed plant-wide monitoring system and method for loop performance evaluation can aggregate and centrally display the real-time evaluation and statistical results of multiple devices distributed across different work units, effectively addressing the shortcomings of current single-node PID performance evaluation software in achieving plant-wide monitoring.

[0004] However, this method still suffers from limitations such as the inability to centrally manage the configuration information of PID workstations and the inability to distribute plant-wide configuration modifications via a plant-wide assessment and monitoring server. Therefore, this method cannot achieve one-time configuration and centralized management; configuration modifications require operation at the PID workstation, causing inconvenience to management or implementation engineers. Furthermore, PID workstation configuration information cannot be synchronized to the plant-wide monitoring server, hindering bidirectional communication and resulting in repetitive configurations and a large workload. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on the above background, this invention proposes a configuration method for a plant-wide monitoring system to overcome the problems existing in the prior art and realize one-time configuration and centralized management of the plant-wide monitoring system.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A method for configuring a plant-wide monitoring system includes the following steps:

[0008] Configure a plant-wide configuration software module and configuration interface in the plant-wide monitoring application server. The plant-wide configuration software module includes at least a configuration communication interface.

[0009] Configure the workstation configuration module and workstation configuration communication interface in each PID workstation;

[0010] Configure configuration software component services in the middle service layer, which are used to communicate with the configuration communication interface and call the workstation configuration module interface;

[0011] Configure the address information of the PID workstation to be accessed in the plant-wide monitoring application server;

[0012] The whole plant configuration software module sends a request to the configuration software component service through the configuration communication interface. After receiving the corresponding request, the configuration software component service calls the workstation configuration communication interface of the PID workstation.

[0013] The PID workstation's configuration module acquires configuration information from the PID workstation's OPC server, groups the acquired configuration information at the work unit / device level, and uploads the grouped configuration information to the plant-wide monitoring application server for processing and storage through the configuration software component service and configuration communication interface.

[0014] Furthermore, the plant-wide configuration software module includes a group management unit, a node management unit, a loop management unit, a configuration management unit, a permission management unit, configuration files, and a configuration communication interface.

[0015] Furthermore, the configuration software component service includes an intermediate configuration communication module and an intermediate configuration distribution module.

[0016] Furthermore, the workstation configuration module obtains the configuration information from the PID workstation OPC server, specifically including:

[0017] The workstation configuration module obtains the configuration information from the PID workstation OPC server via the OPC DA or OPC UA protocol.

[0018] Furthermore, the grouped configuration information is uploaded to the plant-wide monitoring application server for processing and storage via configuration software component services and configuration communication interfaces. Specifically, this includes:

[0019] The intermediate configuration distribution module of the configuration software component service receives the grouped configuration information, uploads it to the plant-wide monitoring application server via the configuration group communication interface, and after processing by the configuration management unit, loop management unit, and group management unit, saves it in the configuration file of the plant-wide monitoring application server.

[0020] Furthermore, the configuration method for this plant-wide monitoring system also includes:

[0021] On the plant-wide monitoring application server, configure custom groups and configure the configuration of each loop through the configuration interface, submit the plant-wide configuration software module and publish it;

[0022] The plant-wide configuration software module submits the newly configured configuration information to the configuration software component service through the configuration communication interface;

[0023] The configuration software component service sends configuration information to each PID workstation by calling the workstation configuration module, thus completing the synchronous update of the PID workstation configuration information.

[0024] Furthermore, the configuration software component service calls the workstation configuration module to distribute configuration information to each PID workstation, completing the synchronous update of PID workstation configuration information. Specifically, this includes:

[0025] The intermediate configuration distribution module of the configuration software component service calls the workstation configuration communication interface to send configuration information to the workstation configuration module. The workstation configuration module verifies the configuration information and updates the PID workstation configuration information after the verification is completed.

[0026] Furthermore, the configuration method for this plant-wide monitoring system also includes:

[0027] Update configuration information on the PID workstation;

[0028] The workstation configuration module calls the configuration software component service and uploads the updated configuration information to the plant-wide configuration software module through the configuration communication interface, thereby realizing the synchronous update of the configuration of the plant-wide monitoring application server.

[0029] Furthermore, the workstation configuration module calls the configuration software component service and uploads the updated configuration information to the plant-wide configuration software module through the configuration communication interface. Specifically, this includes:

[0030] The workstation configuration module calls the intermediate configuration communication module of the configuration software component service through the workstation configuration communication interface and uploads the updated configuration information.

[0031] The configuration software component service forwards updated configuration information to the configuration communication interface through the intermediate configuration distribution module;

[0032] The configuration communication interface uploads the updated configuration information to the configuration management unit of the plant-wide configuration software module.

[0033] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0034] The plant-wide monitoring system configuration method proposed in this invention, based on plant-wide PID performance evaluation, adopts a distributed deployment approach to aggregate and centrally manage the loop configurations of multiple devices scattered across different work units, achieving centralized configuration management of plant-wide PID performance evaluation software. After plant-wide configuration is performed on the plant-wide monitoring application server, configuration information is distributed to PID workstations via configuration software component services. This allows PID workstations to complete configuration and information updates unattended. Furthermore, after the configuration is modified on the PID workstation through configuration module components, the configuration information can be synchronized to the configuration information database of the plant-wide evaluation and monitoring server, achieving bidirectional synchronous communication between the PID workstation configuration and the plant-wide evaluation and monitoring server.

[0035] The plant-wide monitoring system component method proposed in this invention can quickly aggregate and centrally manage the loop configurations of multiple devices distributed across different work units. It also allows for one-time configuration on the plant-wide monitoring server, directly distributing configuration information to PID workstations, reducing the need for manual configuration at each PID workstation multiple times. Furthermore, PID workstation configurations can be synchronized with the plant-wide monitoring server configuration via configuration software components, enabling unattended operation of single-node PID workstations and eliminating the need for management or engineering personnel to physically visit each workstation for configuration. This comprehensively avoids the inconvenience of manual travel between the monitoring server and PID workstations, and significantly reduces the labor costs associated with repetitive configurations. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of the plant-wide monitoring system configuration method shown in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of configuring and centrally managing the plant-wide monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of sending configuration information to the PID workstation in the configuration method of the whole plant monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of synchronizing configuration information to the plant-wide monitoring application server in the configuration method of the plant-wide monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0040] To further understand the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below in conjunction with examples. However, it should be understood that these descriptions are only for further illustrating the features and advantages of the present invention, and not for limiting the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0041] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention proposes a plant-wide monitoring system configuration method. Based on plant-wide PID performance evaluation, it adopts a distributed deployment approach to aggregate and centrally manage the loop configurations of multiple devices scattered across different work units. This addresses the deficiency of current plant-wide PID performance evaluation software in not achieving plant-wide configuration management. On the plant-wide monitoring application server, the configuration module of the PID workstation retrieves loop and tag information from the PID workstation for centralized management of plant-wide configuration information. Users can also complete configuration operations on the plant-wide monitoring application server and then distribute the configuration information to the PID workstation in one go through the configuration software component service, enabling unattended configuration information updates on the PID workstation. Furthermore, after modifying the configuration on the PID workstation, the configuration information can be synchronized to the plant-wide evaluation and monitoring server, achieving bidirectional synchronous communication between the PID workstation configuration and the plant-wide evaluation and monitoring server.

[0042] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation scheme, provides further details.

[0043] See appendix Figure 1 This embodiment illustrates a method for configuring a plant-wide monitoring system, including the following steps:

[0044] Configure the plant-wide configuration software module and configuration interface in the plant-wide monitoring application server. The plant-wide configuration software module includes a group management unit, a loop management unit, a node management unit, a permission management unit, a configuration management unit, configuration files, and a configuration communication interface. The configuration interface is used for human-machine interaction and configuration.

[0045] Configure the workstation configuration module and workstation configuration communication interface in each PID workstation.

[0046] Configure configuration software component services in the middle service layer, which are used to communicate with the configuration communication interface of the plant-wide configuration software module and call the workstation configuration module interface.

[0047] Next, the configuration can be summarized and centrally managed.

[0048] See appendix Figure 2In a specific implementation, firstly, the address information of the PID workstation to be accessed, including its IP address and port number, is configured in the plant-wide monitoring application server. Then, the plant-wide configuration software module of the plant-wide monitoring application server is opened, and a request is sent to the configuration software component service 301 via the configuration communication interface 206. Upon receiving the request, the configuration software component service actively calls the PID workstation's workstation configuration communication interface 501. Subsequently, the PID workstation's workstation configuration module 502 obtains the configuration information from the PID workstation's OPC server via the OPC DA or OPC UA protocol. The obtained configuration information is then grouped at the default or custom work unit / device level, and the grouped configuration information is uploaded to the plant-wide monitoring application server via the configuration software component service and the configuration communication interface 206. After the configuration information is processed by the configuration management unit 204, the loop management unit 203, and the group management unit 201, it is saved in the configuration file of the plant-wide monitoring application server, so as to realize the bottom-up aggregation and centralized management of the loop configuration of multiple devices scattered under different work departments of the PID workstation.

[0049] The plant-wide monitoring system configuration method in this embodiment also includes sending configuration information to the PID workstation.

[0050] See appendix Figure 3 In a specific implementation, the super administrator first configures custom groups and the configuration of each loop according to the business needs of the operations department on the plant-wide monitoring application server via the configuration interface, submits the configuration to the plant-wide configuration software module, and publishes it. Then, the configuration management unit 204 of the plant-wide configuration software module submits the newly configured configuration information to the configuration software component service 301 via the configuration communication interface 206. Afterwards, the intermediate configuration distribution module 402 of the configuration software component service calls the workstation configuration communication interface 501 to distribute the configuration information to the workstation configuration module. The workstation configuration module verifies the configuration information and updates the PID workstation configuration information after verification, completing the synchronous update of the PID workstation configuration information. This allows the PID workstation to complete the synchronous update of configuration information without human intervention.

[0051] The plant-wide monitoring system configuration method in this embodiment also includes synchronizing configuration information to the plant-wide monitoring application server.

[0052] See appendix Figure 4In a specific implementation, the PID engineer first updates the configuration information on the PID workstation using the PID client software. Then, the workstation configuration module calls the intermediate configuration communication module 401 of the configuration software component service via the workstation configuration communication interface 501 and uploads the updated configuration information. Next, the configuration software component service 301 forwards the updated configuration information to the configuration communication interface 206 via the intermediate configuration distribution module 402. Finally, the configuration communication interface 206 uploads the updated configuration information to the configuration management unit 204 of the plant-wide configuration software module, achieving synchronized configuration updates across the plant-wide monitoring application server.

[0053] The above description of the embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to the present invention without departing from the principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a plant-wide monitoring system, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Configure a plant-wide configuration software module and configuration interface in the plant-wide monitoring application server. The plant-wide configuration software module includes at least a configuration communication interface. Configure the workstation configuration module and workstation configuration communication interface in each PID workstation; Configure configuration software component services in the middle service layer, including a middle configuration communication module and a middle configuration distribution module, which are used to communicate with the configuration communication interface and call the workstation configuration module interface. Configure the address information of the PID workstation to be accessed in the plant-wide monitoring application server; The whole plant configuration software module sends a request to the configuration software component service through the configuration communication interface. After receiving the corresponding request, the configuration software component service calls the workstation configuration communication interface of the PID workstation. The PID workstation's configuration module obtains configuration information from the PID workstation's OPC server, groups the obtained configuration information at the work unit level, and uploads the grouped configuration information to the plant-wide monitoring application server for processing and storage through the configuration software component service and configuration communication interface. Additionally, on the plant-wide monitoring application server, the configuration interface is used to customize grouping and configure the configuration of each loop, submit the plant-wide configuration software module and publish it; The plant-wide configuration software module submits the newly configured configuration information to the configuration software component service through the configuration communication interface; The configuration software component service sends configuration information to each PID workstation by calling the workstation configuration module, thus completing the synchronous update of the PID workstation configuration information. And, update configuration information on the PID workstation; The workstation configuration module calls the configuration software component service and uploads the updated configuration information to the plant-wide configuration software module through the configuration communication interface, thereby realizing the synchronous update of the configuration of the plant-wide monitoring application server.

2. The plant-wide monitoring system configuration method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The plant-wide configuration software module includes a group management unit, a node management unit, a loop management unit, a configuration management unit, a permission management unit, configuration files, and a configuration communication interface.

3. The plant-wide monitoring system configuration method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The workstation configuration module obtains configuration information from the PID workstation OPC server, specifically including: The workstation configuration module obtains the configuration information from the PID workstation OPC server via the OPC DA or OPC UA protocol.

4. The plant-wide monitoring system configuration method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The grouped configuration information is uploaded to the plant-wide monitoring application server for processing and storage via configuration software component services and configuration communication interfaces. Specifically, this includes: The intermediate configuration distribution module of the configuration software component service receives the grouped configuration information, uploads it to the plant-wide monitoring application server via the configuration communication interface, and after processing by the configuration management unit, loop management unit, and group management unit, saves it in the configuration file of the plant-wide monitoring application server.

5. The plant-wide monitoring system configuration method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The configuration software component service calls the workstation configuration module to distribute configuration information to each PID workstation, completing the synchronous update of PID workstation configuration information. Specifically, this includes: The intermediate configuration distribution module of the configuration software component service calls the workstation configuration communication interface to send configuration information to the workstation configuration module. The workstation configuration module verifies the configuration information and updates the PID workstation configuration information after the verification is completed.

6. The plant-wide monitoring system configuration method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The workstation configuration module calls the configuration software component service and uploads the updated configuration information to the plant-wide configuration software module through the configuration communication interface. Specifically, this includes: The workstation configuration module calls the intermediate configuration communication module of the configuration software component service through the workstation configuration communication interface and uploads the updated configuration information. The configuration software component service forwards updated configuration information to the configuration communication interface through the intermediate configuration distribution module; The configuration communication interface uploads the updated configuration information to the configuration management unit of the plant-wide configuration software module.

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