Automatic I/O Switching Between Multi-Vendor Instrument Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the gas and oil industry, pilot plants and operational process units face incompatibility issues between instruments and controllers from different vendors, leading to impractical manual switching and inefficiencies, especially when using open communication protocols that do not reflect the actual configuration and operation of these units.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for automatic switching between multiple vendor controllers using an interfaced input/output device, which stores parameters for each type of instrument controller and automatically switches signals between different vendor classes by generating copies of the signal and sending them to compatible controllers, enabling seamless communication between instruments and controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual switching technique is used to address incompatibility between instruments and controllers from different vendors, then communication compatibility is achieved, but operation efficiency deteriorates due to huge amount of wiring and required human operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication conversion device as an intermediary between instruments and controllers from different vendors. This device receives signals from instruments, converts the communication protocols, and transmits them to compatible controllers, thereby resolving incompatibility without requiring manual switching or extensive wiring reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual switching system with an automated communication conversion system. Instead of physically switching connections through wiring, the system uses software-based protocol conversion to automatically route signals between instruments and controllers, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining compatibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If open communication protocol such as OPC standard is used to perform switching, then communication flexibility is improved, but operational accuracy deteriorates as it does not reflect the actual configuration and operation of pilot plants and operational process units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing vendor-specific communication protocols at each interface point rather than using a universal open protocol throughout. The communication conversion device is configured with specific protocol parameters that match the actual instruments and controllers being connected, ensuring that each communication link uses the appropriate protocol for that specific vendor's equipment, thereby maintaining operational accuracy while providing flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If instruments are provided by multiple and different vendors with different communication protocols, then device versatility is improved, but system complexity increases due to incompatibility issues between instruments and controllers
Solution Approach 1:
The communication conversion device serves as a universal interface that can handle multiple vendor protocols simultaneously. It is designed to support various instrument protocols on the input side and various controller protocols on the output side, allowing a single device to facilitate communication between instruments and controllers from multiple different vendors without requiring separate conversion devices for each vendor combination.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method perform automatic switching of multiple vendor controllers with an interfaced input/output device. The method comprises storing parameters in a memory, wherein the parameters specify each type of instrument controller in a respective one of a plurality of vendor classes, and automatically switching a signal between an instrument and at least one of a first instrument controller of a first vendor class and a second instrument controller of a second vendor class using the parameters, wherein the first vendor class and the second vendor class are different. The system and an automatic input/output switch controller implement the method.