Modular system module for the gradual migration of existing technical infrastructures into a modular system architecture

Abstract

System module for the integration and migration of existing technical infrastructures into a modular system architecture, wherein the system module is designed as a physical, independent and detachably connectable transition unit, which is arranged at a defined transition point between at least one non-modular existing technical system and a modular target architecture, and wherein the system module is designed to enable a step-by-step introduction of the modular target architecture without having to completely replace or decommission the existing technical system.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a system module for integrating and migrating existing technical infrastructures into modular system architectures. The invention is related to technical system integration at the infrastructure level and specifically concerns physical transition modules for coupling non-modular existing systems with modular target architectures. The invention is applicable across industries and is not limited to specific technical fields of application. State of the art

[0002] In numerous technical systems, existing infrastructures have evolved organically over time and are not modular. Such systems often feature hard-wired energy, data, or functional paths tailored to specific devices, components, or system architectures. In contrast, the introduction of modular system architectures promises advantages in terms of scalability, interchangeability, maintainability, and expandability. The state of the art includes various approaches to integrating existing systems. However, these are predominantly limited to software-based integration solutions, data- or protocol-side migrations, or point-to-point adapter, bridge, or conversion units for adapting individual interfaces. In the state of the art, migration is typically understood as a logical or information-technical process in which data, software, or services are transferred from one system to another, while the physical infrastructure remains largely unchanged. While physical adapter or bridge modules are known, they only fulfill local adaptation functions between individual interfaces or components. Such solutions do not play a systemic role within a higher-level architecture and are not suitable for enabling the gradual migration of entire infrastructure areas to a modular target architecture. In particular, the current state of the art lacks a physical system module designed as an architecture-supporting transition unit that allows the introduction of a modular target architecture into existing technical infrastructures without a complete system overhaul. Object of the invention

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of providing a system module that enables the gradual migration of existing technical infrastructures to a modular system architecture without requiring the complete replacement or decommissioning of the existing system. The system module is designed as a physical, systemically located transition unit and fulfills an architecture-supporting integration and migration function. Furthermore, the system module should be applicable across industries and structurally prevent the circumvention of the modular target architecture through parallel or direct connections of newly added components to the existing infrastructure. Solution to the task

[0004] The task is solved by a system module, designed as a physical, self-contained, and detachably connectable transition unit. This module is positioned at a defined interface between at least one existing, non-modular technical system and a modular target architecture. The system module enables the coupling of the existing technical infrastructure with the modular target architecture in such a way that individual system areas can be gradually integrated into the modular target architecture via the system module. The system module is designed to fulfill a systemic integration and migration function at the infrastructure level without itself being part of the fundamental architecture definition of the modular target architecture. Its physical design distinguishes the system module from purely software-based integration solutions and from isolated adapter, bridge, or conversion units.The interface is formed by a systemically integrated physical unit, through which the coupling between existing technical infrastructure and modular target architecture takes place. Mode of action and technical effects

[0005] By positioning the system module at a defined interface point, parallel operation of components of the existing technical infrastructure and components of the modular target architecture is enabled. The migration is carried out in stages, by integrating individual sub-areas of the existing infrastructure into the modular target architecture via the system module. A complete redesign or immediate decommissioning of the existing infrastructure is not required. The system module connects energy paths, data paths, functional paths, or combinations thereof between the existing infrastructure and the modular target architecture. The system module can have a modular internal structure that can be adapted to different existing technical systems, while the interface to the modular target architecture remains essentially unchanged. In this way, a large number of different existing systems can be connected to a uniform modular target architecture. By structurally integrating the system module into the modular target architecture, newly added system components are preferentially integrated via this modular architecture. Direct connection of such components to the existing technical infrastructure thus becomes functionally secondary, without any logical or legal constraints. The modular target architecture is thereby structurally strengthened, and the gradual migration is guided. Designs

[0006] The system module can be designed as a self-contained, interchangeable functional unit that can be installed, removed, or replaced independently of adjacent system components. The system module can remain permanently in the system during a migration phase or be removed after the migration is complete. In other embodiments, the system module can be part of a module family, the individual modules of which connect different existing technical systems to the same modular target architecture.

[0007] The system module is not limited to specific technical parameters, interface types, protocols, voltage ranges, or industries. It can be used in various technical application areas where a migration from existing infrastructures to modular system architectures is planned. Advantages of the invention

[0008] The invention enables, for the first time, a physical-systemic migration of existing technical infrastructures into modular system architectures through an independent, architecture-supporting system module. The migration can be carried out gradually and non-disruptively, without completely replacing existing systems. The modular target architecture is structurally strengthened, while investments in existing infrastructures are protected. Adapter- or software-based workarounds become systemically unattractive without unduly restricting technical degrees of freedom.

Claims

[1] System module for the integration and migration of existing technical infrastructures into a modular system architecture, wherein the system module is designed as a physical, independent and detachably connectable transition unit, which is arranged at a defined transition point between at least one non-modular existing technical system and a modular target architecture, and wherein the system module is designed to enable a step-by-step introduction of the modular target architecture without having to completely replace or decommission the existing technical system. [2] System module according to claim 1, wherein the interface is formed by a systemically integrated physical unit through which the coupling between the existing technical infrastructure and the modular target architecture takes place. [3] System module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the system module is designed as an independent, interchangeable functional unit that can be installed, removed or replaced independently of adjacent system components. [4] System module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system module is configured to enable parallel operation of components of the existing technical infrastructure and components of the modular target architecture. [5] System module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system module has at least one first connection structure for connection to the existing technical system and at least one second connection structure for connection to the modular target architecture, wherein the connection structures are functionally different. [6] System module according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system module is designed in such a way that it does not require any permanent modification of the existing technical infrastructure. [7] System module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system module is configured to couple energy paths, data paths, function paths or combinations thereof between the existing technical infrastructure and the modular target architecture. [8] System module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system module is part of a higher-level modular system architecture within which different functional modules can be connected to each other via defined interfaces. [9] System module according to claim 8, wherein the system module fulfills a systemic integration and migration function at system level within the modular system architecture, without itself being part of the basic architecture definition. [10] System module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system module is configured to enable a step-by-step migration of individual sub-areas of the existing technical infrastructure across the defined transition point. [11] System module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system module has a modular internal structure that can be adapted to different existing technical systems, while an interface directed to the modular target architecture remains essentially unchanged. [12] System module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system module does not represent a purely software-based migration or integration function, but is designed as a physical system component. [13] System module according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system module is not a pure signal, protocol or format conversion unit. [14] System module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system module does not merely represent a point-in-time adapter, bridge or conversion unit, but provides an architecture-supporting transition function between existing technical infrastructure and modular target architecture. [15] System module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system module is designed such that extensions of the modular target architecture are routed via the defined transition point. [16] System module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system module is designed to be usable in different technical application areas. [17] System module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system module is designed such that newly added system components can be structurally preferably integrated via the modular target architecture, thereby making a direct connection to the existing technical infrastructure functionally secondary. [18] System module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system module is designed as part of a module family, the modules of which each connect different existing technical systems to the same modular target architecture. [19] System module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system module is configured to remain permanently in the system during a migration phase or to be removed after completion of the migration. [20] Use of a system module according to any one of claims 1 to 19 for the gradual migration of an existing technical infrastructure into a modular system architecture.