Information processing device, information processing method, information processing program, and process control system
The cache and interface memory system with a transfer unit in protocol converters addresses inefficient data exchange by separating high and low-frequency updates, enhancing efficiency and responsiveness in process control systems.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
- Filing Date
- 2023-02-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-09
AI Technical Summary
Conventional protocol converters struggle with inefficient data exchange processing due to increased connectivity of field devices with varying process value update cycles, leading to performance degradation and delays.
Implementing a cache memory to store high-frequency process values and an interface memory to store corresponding control data values, along with a transfer unit that updates control data values periodically, allowing efficient data exchange processing for both high and low-frequency updates.
Enhances the efficiency of data exchange processing by accommodating a larger number of field devices with different update cycles, improving controllability and responsiveness.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a process control system.
Background Art
[0002] There is known a process control system that monitors and manages a plant based on process data such as sensor values collected from field devices provided in the plant. For example, the field devices include a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a gas concentration sensor, a device for detecting the opening degree of a valve, a device for detecting the state (on or off) of a switch, and the like.
[0003] Further, the process data output from the field device is stored in the protocol converter as a process value. By outputting the data, the field device updates the process value stored in the protocol converter.
[0004] Further, the protocol converter stores the control data value obtained by converting the process value in a storage area. The processing by such a protocol converter is called data exchange processing. The control controller acquires the data obtained by the data exchange processing as control calculation data, performs calculations using the acquired control calculation data, and obtains information necessary for monitoring and managing the plant.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0005]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0006] However, the conventional protocol converter has a problem that data exchange processing may not be performed efficiently.
[0007] In recent years, with the widespread adoption of Industrial Ethernet (registered trademark), the update cycle of process values by field devices has been shortened (updating processes have been accelerated). Furthermore, as various field devices are connected to process control systems to collect diverse data, there is an increasing number of cases where field devices with significantly different process value update cycles are connected on the same field network. A field network is a communication network that includes field devices and protocol converters.
[0008] As the number of field devices connected to the protocol converter increases, the number of process values that the protocol converter handles for data exchange also increases. Furthermore, the performance of the protocol converter's data exchange process decreases as the number of process values increases. Additionally, a decrease in the protocol converter's performance makes data exchange more prone to delays.
[0009] Conventional protocol converters require limiting the number of connected field devices in order to maintain the performance of data exchange processing based on process values acquired from field devices with short process value update cycles.
[0010] Thus, it is difficult to operate conventional protocol converters efficiently when a large number of field devices, including field devices with short process value update cycles, are connected.
[0011] One aspect of this is the objective of efficiently performing data exchange processing. [Means for solving the problem]
[0012] An information processing device relating to one aspect is characterized by having: a first storage area for storing a plurality of process values to be updated by a field device, including one or more process values included in a first group and a plurality of process values not included in the first group; a second storage area for storing a plurality of control data values corresponding to each of the plurality of process values; and an update unit that, in each period, updates the control data values corresponding to the process values of the first group, along with the control data values corresponding to the process values not included in the first group, which were not updated in the previous period.
[0013] An information processing method relating to one aspect is characterized in that a computer having a first storage area for storing a plurality of process values updated by a field device, including one or more process values included in a first group and a plurality of process values not included in the first group, and a second storage area for storing a plurality of control data values corresponding to each of the plurality of process values, performs a process to update, in each period, the control data values corresponding to the process values not included in the first group, which were not updated in the previous period, along with the control data values corresponding to the process values in the first group.
[0014] An information processing program relating to one aspect is characterized in that it causes a computer having a first storage area for storing a plurality of process values to be updated by a field device, which include one or more process values included in a first group and a plurality of process values not included in the first group, and a second storage area for storing a plurality of control data values corresponding to each of the plurality of process values, to perform a process periodically to update, together with the control data values corresponding to the process values in the first group, the control data values corresponding to the process values not included in the first group that were not updated in the previous period.
[0015] A process control system relating to one aspect is a process control system comprising a process converter, a plurality of field devices provided in a plant and connected to the process converter, and a control controller connected to the process converter, wherein the process converter has a first storage area for storing a plurality of process values updated by the plurality of field devices, including one or more process values included in a first group and a plurality of process values not included in the first group; a second storage area for storing a plurality of control data values corresponding to each of the plurality of process values; and an update unit that, periodically, updates the control data values corresponding to the process values not included in the first group, along with the control data values corresponding to the process values in the first group, and the control data values corresponding to the process values not included in the first group that were not updated in the previous period, and the control controller performs calculations using the control data values obtained from the second storage area. [Effects of the Invention]
[0016] According to one embodiment, data exchange processing can be performed efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0017] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example configuration of a process control system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the data exchange process. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the data exchange process. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the data exchange process. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating I / O scanning. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the data exchange process. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates the data exchange process. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the protocol converter. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart showing the flow of basic data update processing. [Figure 10] It is a diagram for explaining an example of hardware configuration.
Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the information processing apparatus, information processing method, information processing program, and process control system disclosed in the present application will be described in detail based on the drawings. Note that the invention of the present application is not limited by the embodiments described here. Also, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted as appropriate. Further, each embodiment can be appropriately combined within a non - contradictory range. Also, the protocol converter is an example of an information processing apparatus.
[0019] Using FIG. 1, the configuration of the process control system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the process control system according to the first embodiment.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the process control system 1 includes field devices 10, a protocol converter 20, a control controller 30, an operation monitoring terminal 40, and a device management device 50.
[0021] The field devices 10 are provided in the plant. The number of field devices 10 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1.
[0022] The plant is, for example, an oil plant, a petrochemical plant, a chemical plant, or a gas plant. By operating the plant, products such as LNG (liquefied natural gas), resins (plastics, nylon, etc.), and chemical products can be obtained.
[0023] Also, the plant has factory facilities, machine facilities, production facilities, power generation facilities, storage facilities, facilities at the wellhead for extracting oil, natural gas, etc. Further, equipment for generating products is provided in the plant.
[0024] The field device 10 acquires information about the plant's condition. For example, the field device 10 may include a temperature sensor, pH sensor, speed sensor, acceleration sensor, pressure sensor, gas concentration sensor, a device that detects the degree of valve opening, a device that detects the state of a switch (on or off), etc.
[0025] The field device 10 transmits sensor values or detection results to the protocol converter 20 as process data using a predetermined communication protocol. For example, the field device 10 is connected to the protocol converter 20 by a coaxial cable and optical fiber equipped with connectors such as RJ45. The field device 10 then transmits the process data to the protocol converter 20 using an analog signal of 4-20mA.
[0026] The protocol converter 20 stores the process data received from the field device 10 as process values. The process values stored in the protocol converter 20 are updated each time the protocol converter 20 receives process data from the field device 10.
[0027] The protocol converter 20 performs data exchange processing. Specifically, the protocol converter 20 converts process values into control data values through protocol conversion. For example, if the communication protocol between the field device 10 and the protocol converter 20 is a 4-20mA analog signal, the process value is a value representing a 4-20mA analog signal. The protocol converter 20 converts the process value into a value representing a digital signal of the Ethernet protocol. The target communication protocol is determined according to the communication protocol between the protocol converter 20 and the control controller 30.
[0028] The protocol converter 20 transmits the control data values obtained through data exchange processing to the control controller 30 using a predetermined communication protocol (for example, the Ethernet protocol).
[0029] The control controller 30 performs calculations to convert the received control data values into a format usable by the operation monitoring terminal 40 or the equipment management device 50. The control controller 30 transmits the data obtained by the calculations to the operation monitoring terminal 40 or the equipment management device 50.
[0030] For example, consider a case where the communication protocol between the field device 10 and the protocol converter 20 is an analog signal of 4-20mA, and the process value is 12mA. In this case, the process value represents the temperature from 0°C to 100°C obtained by the field device 10. As an example, the control controller 30 performs the calculation (100°C - 0°C) × (12mA / (4mA + 20mA)) = 50°C. Then, the control controller 30 notifies the operation monitoring terminal 40 or the equipment management device 50 that the temperature was 50°C.
[0031] The operation monitoring terminal 40 is a terminal for monitoring the status of the plant's equipment. The equipment management device 50 is a device for operating each piece of equipment, including the field equipment 10.
[0032] [Data exchange processing] Here, we will describe the data exchange process performed by the protocol converter 20 and related procedures.
[0033] First, as shown in Figure 2, the field devices 10 update the process values stored in the protocol converter 20 by transmitting process data to the protocol converter 20 at predetermined intervals. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the data exchange process.
[0034] Data A1, Data B1, Data C1, Data D1, Data E1, and Data F1 are all process data and are transmitted by different field devices 10. Note that a single field device 10 may transmit multiple process data sets.
[0035] Here, the transmission speeds of data A1 and data B1 are faster than those of data D1, data E1, and data F1. A faster transmission speed means that process data is transmitted more frequently, i.e., the transmission cycle for process data is shorter.
[0036] For example, the transmission period for data A1 and data B1 is approximately 1 ms to 10 ms. Also, for example, the transmission period for data D1, data E1, and data F1 is 100 ms or more.
[0037] As shown in Figure 1, the protocol converter 20 includes a cache memory 21, an interface memory 22, and a transfer unit 23.
[0038] The cache memory 21 and interface memory 22 are implemented using volatile or non-volatile storage devices. The cache memory 21 and interface memory 22 may be storage areas of physically different storage devices. Alternatively, the cache memory 21 and interface memory 22 may be logical storage areas provided within a storage device. The cache memory 21 is an example of a first storage area. The interface memory 22 is an example of a second storage area. Furthermore, the terms "storage area" may be replaced with "storage unit" and "storage device, etc."
[0039] The transfer unit 23 is implemented by a computing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The transfer unit 23 is an example of an update unit.
[0040] The cache memory 21 stores multiple process values that are updated by the field device 10, including one or more process values included in a high-speed data group and multiple process values not included in a high-speed data group.
[0041] As shown in Figure 2, the cache memory 21 stores data A2, data B2, data C2, data D2, data E2, and data F2. Data A2, data B2, data C2, data D2, data E2, and data F2 are updated (overwritten) by data A1, data B1, data C1, data D1, data E1, and data F1 transmitted by the field device 10, respectively.
[0042] Furthermore, as mentioned above, data A1 and data B1 are transmitted at short intervals. Here, data A2 and data B2, which are process values corresponding to data A1 and data B1, are assumed to be included in the high-speed data group. That is, the cache memory 21 stores one or more process values included in the high-speed data group that are updated more frequently than multiple process values not included in the high-speed data group (but included in the basic data group). The high-speed data group is an example of the first group.
[0043] Data C2, Data D2, Data E2, and Data F2 are not included in the high-speed data group. Data C2, Data D2, Data E2, and Data F2 are included in the basic data group.
[0044] The transfer unit 23 performs data exchange processing at regular intervals. The period during which the transfer unit 23 performs data exchange processing is, for example, about 10ms to 20ms. In this case, the period during which the transfer unit 23 performs data exchange processing is longer than the period during which the process value of the high-speed data group is updated, and shorter than the period during which the process value of the low-speed data group is updated.
[0045] The interface memory 22 stores multiple control data values corresponding to each of the multiple process values. As shown in Figure 2, the interface memory 22 stores the control data values data A3, data B3, data C3, data D3, data E3, and data F3. Data A3, data B3, data C3, data D3, data E3, and data F3 correspond to the process values data A2, data B2, data C2, data D2, data E2, and data F2, respectively.
[0046] In the data exchange process, the transfer unit 23 updates, at each cycle, the control data values corresponding to process values not included in the high-speed data group, along with the control data values corresponding to process values not included in the high-speed data group, from among a plurality of control data values. The process values not included in the high-speed data group are process values included in the basic data group.
[0047] Furthermore, during data exchange processing, the transfer unit 23 stores (updates) the value obtained by converting the communication protocol of the process value stored in the cache memory 21 as a control data value in the interface memory 22.
[0048] For example, in the kth period (where k is an integer), the transfer unit 23 performs data exchange processing on a portion of the process values of the basic data group along with the process values of the high-speed data group. Then, in the k+1th period, the transfer unit 23 performs data exchange processing on a portion of the process values of the basic data group that were not targeted in the kth period, along with the process values of the high-speed data group.
[0049] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the data exchange process in the kth period. As shown in Figure 3, in the kth period, the transfer unit 23 performs data exchange processing on data A2 and data B2, which are process values included in the high-speed data group, and updates data A3 and data B3. "*" indicates the process value of the high-speed data group and the control data value corresponding to that process value.
[0050] Furthermore, in the kth period, the transfer unit 23 performs data exchange processing on data C2 and data D2, which are part of the process values included in the basic data group, and updates data C3 and data D3.
[0051] Here, as shown in Figure 5, the control controller 30 performs an I / O scan. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the I / O scan. As shown in Figure 5, the I / O scan is a process in which the control controller 30 reads control data values stored in the interface memory 22. In the I / O scan, the control controller 30 acquires data A3, data B3, data C3, data D3, data E3, and data F3 as control calculation data A4, control calculation data B4, control calculation data C4, control calculation data D4, control calculation data E4, and control calculation data F4.
[0052] The control controller 30 can perform I / O scans asynchronously with both the updating of process values by the field device 10 and the data exchange processing by the protocol converter 20.
[0053] For example, the control controller 30 performs I / O scans at a longer interval than the data exchange process. In other words, the transfer unit 23 performs data exchange processing at a shorter interval than the I / O scan period.
[0054] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the data exchange process in the (k+1)th period. As shown in Figure 6, in the (k+1)th period, the transfer unit 23 performs data exchange processing on data A2 and data B2, which are process values included in the high-speed data group, and updates data A3 and data B3.
[0055] Furthermore, in the k+1th period, the transfer unit 23 performs data exchange processing on data E2 and data F2, which are part of the process values included in the basic data group, and updates data E3 and data F3.
[0056] In this manner, the transfer unit 23 performs data exchange processing every cycle for process values in the high-speed data group with a high update frequency, and performs data exchange processing every other cycle or less for process values in the basic data group with a low update frequency.
[0057] Figure 8 illustrates the processing flow of the protocol converter 20. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the protocol converter.
[0058] First, as shown in Figure 8, the protocol converter 20 updates the entire area subject to high-speed data transfer processing (step S11). In other words, the protocol converter 20 performs data exchange processing on data A2 and data B2, which are process values of the high-speed data group. Furthermore, the updates in Figures 8 and 9 represent the updates of data control values due to the data exchange processing.
[0059] Next, the protocol converter 20 obtains the last completed area of the basic data update (step S12). The last completed area is information that identifies the process values of the basic data group that were subject to data exchange in the previous cycle.
[0060] Next, the protocol converter 20 performs a basic data update, that is, a data exchange process for the process values of the basic data group (step S13). The details of step S13 will be explained later.
[0061] Then, the protocol converter 20 saves the end area of the basic data update (step S14).
[0062] The protocol converter 20 executes the processes from step S11 to step S14 in each cycle. The end region saved in step S14 is retrieved in step S12 of the next cycle.
[0063] The area where the termination area is stored (an example of a third storage area) may be any storage area of the memory device provided in the protocol converter 20, and may be the same as or different from the cache memory 21 and interface memory 22.
[0064] As explained here, the protocol converter 20 (transfer unit 23) stores the end area of the basic data update in the storage area at each cycle. The end area of the basic data update is a control data value corresponding to a process value that is not included in the high-speed data group among multiple control data values, and is an example of information that identifies the updated control data value.
[0065] Furthermore, the protocol converter 20 (transfer unit 23) periodically updates the control data value that corresponds to the process value of the high-speed data group from among multiple control data values, along with the control data value that is the next in order of the control data value identified based on the previously terminated area.
[0066] The control data values corresponding to the process values in the basic data group are specified in the order of data C3, data D3, data E3, and data F3. Furthermore, the sequence after data F3 returns to the beginning. Therefore, the control data value following data F3 is data C3.
[0067] In this case, the protocol converter 20 updates the control data value that is the next in sequence to the control data value identified based on the previously terminated area. For example, if the control data value identified based on the previously terminated area is data D3, the protocol converter 20 updates data E3.
[0068] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the basic data update process (step S13 in Figure 8). As shown in Figure 9, the protocol converter 20 updates the control data value that specifies the next order of the control data value identified based on the next area, i.e., the previously ended area (step S131).
[0069] Here, the protocol converter 20 determines whether the next area can be updated (step S132). For example, if data E3 was updated in step S131, the protocol converter 20 determines whether data F3 can be updated.
[0070] If the update of the next area is possible (step S132, Yes), the protocol converter 20 returns to step S131 and repeats the process. On the other hand, if the update of the next area is not possible (step S132, No), the protocol converter 20 ends the process.
[0071] The procedure of the determination by the protocol converter 20 in step S132 (step S132) will be described. First, it is assumed that the protocol converter 20 has already obtained the IO scan period T0 from the control controller 30.
[0072] Here, the protocol converter 20 obtains the time T1 required up to steps S11 and S12 in FIG. 8 and step S131 in FIG. 9 in the current period. At this time, step S131 may be performed multiple times by repetition. The time T1 includes the time required for the execution of step S131 once or multiple times.
[0073] In addition, the protocol converter 20 further obtains the time T2 required when step S131 is executed again. The protocol converter 20 may estimate the time T2 based on past performance, or may obtain a fixed value determined in advance as T2.
[0074] If T1 + T2 < T0, the protocol converter 20 determines that the update of the next area is possible (step S132, Yes). On the other hand, if T1 + T2 ≥ T0, the protocol converter 20 determines that the update of the next area is not possible (step S132, No). Thereby, the protocol converter 20 can complete the data exchange process for one cycle within the IO scan period.
[0075] [Effect] As described above, the protocol converter 20 (information processing device) of the embodiment has a cache memory 21, an interface memory 22, and a transfer unit 23. The cache memory 21 stores a plurality of process values to be updated by the field device 10, including one or more process values included in a first group and a plurality of process values not included in the first group. The interface memory 22 stores a plurality of control data values corresponding to each of the plurality of process values. The transfer unit 23 updates the control data values corresponding to the process values of the first group, along with the control data values corresponding to the process values not included in the first group, which were not updated in the previous cycle, at each cycle.
[0076] In this way, multiple process values can be divided into those that are subject to data exchange processing every cycle and those that are subject to data exchange processing every other cycle or less. This allows the protocol converter 20 to increase the number of connectable field devices while improving the controllability and responsiveness of data exchange processing for field devices with short update cycles. As a result, the efficiency of data exchange processing is improved.
[0077] The cache memory 21 stores one or more process values included in the first group that are updated more frequently than multiple process values not included in the first group. This allows the protocol converter 20 to perform data exchange processing at a frequency suitable for the update cycle of each process value.
[0078] The transfer unit 23 stores the communication protocol-converted values of the process values stored in the cache memory 21 as control data values in the interface memory 22. This allows the protocol converter 20 to transfer process data to the control controller 30.
[0079] The transfer unit 23 periodically stores in a third memory area information that identifies the updated control data value, which corresponds to a process value among multiple control data values that is not included in the first group, and updates the control data value that specifies the next order of the control data values identified based on the information stored in the third memory area, along with the control data value among multiple control data values that corresponds to the process value of the first group. In this way, the protocol converter 20 can perform data exchange processing efficiently by storing the updated control data value at each period.
[0080] [system] Unless otherwise specified, the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, and various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings may be changed at will.
[0081] Furthermore, the components of each illustrated device are functionally conceptual and do not necessarily need to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific forms of distribution and integration of each device are not limited to those shown. That is, all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads and usage conditions. Also, the protocol converter 20 may include the functions of the control controller 30.
[0082] Furthermore, each processing function performed by each device may be implemented, in whole or in part, by a CPU and a program executed for analysis by that CPU, or by wired logic hardware.
[0083] [Hardware] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the protocol converter 20 will be described. Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration. As shown in Figure 10, the protocol converter 20 includes a communication device 20a, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 20b, memory 20c, and a processor 20d. Furthermore, each of the parts shown in Figure 10 is interconnected by a bus or the like.
[0084] The communication device 20a is a network interface card or the like, and communicates with other servers. The HDD 20b stores the program and database that operate the functions shown in Figure 1.
[0085] The processor 20d operates the processes that perform the functions described in Figure 1, etc., by reading programs that perform the same processing as each processing unit shown in Figure 3 from the HDD 20b or the like and loading them into memory 20c. For example, this process performs the same functions as each processing unit of the protocol converter 20. Specifically, the processor 20d reads a program that has the same functions as the transfer unit 23 from the HDD 20b or the like. Then, the processor 20d executes a process that performs the same processing as the transfer unit 23.
[0086] Thus, the protocol converter 20 operates as an information processing device that executes an information processing method by reading and executing a program. Furthermore, the protocol converter 20 can also achieve the same functionality as the embodiment described above by reading the program from the recording medium using a media reader and executing the read program. Note that the program referred to in this other embodiment is not limited to being executed by the protocol converter 20. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied when another computer or server executes the program, or when they collaborate to execute the program.
[0087] This program can be distributed via networks such as the Internet. Furthermore, this program can be recorded on computer-readable storage media such as hard disks, flexible disks (FDs), CD-ROMs, MOs (Magneto-Optical disks), and DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), and executed by reading the program from these media using a computer.
[0088] Some examples of the combinations of technical features that will be disclosed are listed below.
[0089] (1) A first storage area for storing a plurality of process values updated by a field device, including one or more process values included in a first group and a plurality of process values not included in the first group, A second storage area that stores a plurality of control data values corresponding to each of the plurality of process values, Each period, an update unit updates the control data values corresponding to the process values of the first group, along with the control data values corresponding to process values not included in the first group, which were not updated in the previous period. An information processing device characterized by having the following features. (2) The information processing apparatus according to (1), characterized in that the first memory area stores one or more process values included in the first group, which are updated more frequently than a plurality of process values not included in the first group. (3) The information processing apparatus according to (1) or (2), characterized in that the update unit stores in the second storage area a value obtained by converting the communication protocol of the process value stored in the first storage area as the control data value. (4) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), characterized in that the update unit periodically stores in a third memory area information that identifies the updated control data value, which corresponds to a process value among the plurality of control data values that is not included in the first group, and updates the control data value that is specified to be in the next order of the control data values identified based on the information stored in the third memory area, together with the control data value among the plurality of control data values that corresponds to the process value of the first group. (5) A first storage area for storing a plurality of process values updated by a field device, including one or more process values included in a first group and a plurality of process values not included in the first group, A second storage area that stores a plurality of control data values corresponding to each of the plurality of process values, A computer having, Each period, the control data values corresponding to the process values of the first group, along with the control data values corresponding to process values not included in the first group, which were not updated in the previous period, are updated from among the plurality of control data values. An information processing method characterized by performing a process. (6) A first storage area for storing a plurality of process values updated by a field device, including one or more process values included in a first group and a plurality of process values not included in the first group, A second storage area that stores a plurality of control data values corresponding to each of the plurality of process values, A computer having, Each period, the control data values corresponding to the process values of the first group, along with the control data values corresponding to process values not included in the first group, which were not updated in the previous period, are updated from among the plurality of control data values. An information processing program characterized by executing a process. (7) A process control system comprising a process converter, a plurality of field devices installed in a plant and connected to the process converter, and a control controller connected to the process converter, The aforementioned process converter A first storage area for storing a plurality of process values updated by the plurality of field devices, including one or more process values included in a first group and a plurality of process values not included in the first group, A second storage area that stores a plurality of control data values corresponding to each of the plurality of process values, Each period, an update unit updates the control data values corresponding to the process values of the first group, along with the control data values corresponding to process values not included in the first group, which were not updated in the previous period. It has, The process control system is characterized in that the control controller performs calculations using the control data values obtained from the second storage area. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0090] 1. Process control system 10 Field Equipment 20 Protocol Converters 20a Communication equipment 20b HDD 20c memory 20d processor 21 Cache memory 22 Interface memory 23 Transfer section 30 Control Controllers 40 Operation monitoring terminals 50 Equipment management device
Claims
1. A first storage area for storing a plurality of process values updated by a field device, including one or more process values included in a first group and a plurality of process values not included in the first group, A second storage area that stores a plurality of control data values corresponding to each of the plurality of process values, An update unit updates, at intervals longer than the period in which the process values of the first group are updated and shorter than the period in which process values not included in the first group are updated, along with the control data values corresponding to the process values of the first group, from among the plurality of control data values, which are control data values corresponding to process values not included in the first group that were not updated in the previous period. An information processing device characterized by having the following features.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first memory area stores one or more process values included in the first group, which are updated more frequently than a plurality of process values not included in the first group.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the update unit converts the communication protocol of the process value stored in the first storage area from an analog signal to a digital signal and stores the resulting value in the second storage area as the control data value.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the update unit stores in a third storage area information that identifies the updated control data value, which corresponds to a process value not included in the first group among the plurality of control data values, at intervals longer than the period in which the process values of the first group are updated and shorter than the period in which the process values not included in the first group are updated, and updates the control data value, which is specified to be in the next order of the control data values identified based on the information stored in the third storage area, together with the control data value corresponding to the process value of the first group among the plurality of control data values.
5. A first storage area for storing a plurality of process values updated by a field device, including one or more process values included in a first group and a plurality of process values not included in the first group, A second storage area that stores a plurality of control data values corresponding to each of the plurality of process values, A computer having, At intervals longer than the period in which the process values of the first group are updated, and shorter than the period in which the process values not included in the first group are updated, the control data values corresponding to the process values of the first group, along with the control data values corresponding to the process values not included in the first group, which were not updated in the previous period, are updated. An information processing method characterized by performing a process.
6. A first storage area for storing a plurality of process values updated by a field device, including one or more process values included in a first group and a plurality of process values not included in the first group, A second storage area that stores a plurality of control data values corresponding to each of the plurality of process values, A computer having, At intervals longer than the period in which the process values of the first group are updated, and shorter than the period in which the process values not included in the first group are updated, the control data values corresponding to the process values of the first group, along with the control data values corresponding to the process values not included in the first group, which were not updated in the previous period, are updated. An information processing program characterized by executing a process.
7. A process control system comprising a process converter, a plurality of field devices installed in a plant and connected to the process converter, and a control controller connected to the process converter, The aforementioned process converter A first storage area for storing a plurality of process values updated by the plurality of field devices, including one or more process values included in a first group and a plurality of process values not included in the first group, A second storage area that stores a plurality of control data values corresponding to each of the plurality of process values, An update unit updates, at intervals longer than the period in which the process values of the first group are updated and shorter than the period in which process values not included in the first group are updated, along with the control data values corresponding to the process values of the first group, from among the plurality of control data values, which are control data values corresponding to process values not included in the first group that were not updated in the previous period. It has, The process control system is characterized in that the control controller performs calculations using the control data values obtained from the second storage area.