Industrial Automation Broker for Centralized Protocol Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face inefficiencies due to hardwired connections and repeated translation operations between devices using different communication protocols, leading to complex maintenance and reduced system performance.
Innovation Solution
A broker system that centralizes translation operations by converting data from one protocol to a common protocol, reducing repetitive translations and facilitating communication between industrial automation devices and control systems using a publish-subscribe model and Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If each control and monitoring system translates signals from industrial automation devices independently, then each system can process data according to its own protocol requirements, but translation operations are repeated across the system causing inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple independent translation operations into a single centralized translation operation. Instead of each control and monitoring system performing its own translation of signals from industrial automation devices, one system performs the translation once and shares the translated data with other systems through the shared database, eliminating redundant translation efforts while maintaining protocol compatibility across all systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal shared database that serves multiple control and monitoring systems simultaneously. This database acts as a common platform that can store and provide data in different protocols to different systems, making the translation capability universal and accessible to all systems rather than each system needing its own dedicated translation functionality
2Reliability
If hardwired connections are used for device communication, then system stability is maintained, but maintenance becomes time-consuming and difficult when replacing or adding components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardwired connection system with a software-based communication system. Instead of physically wiring each device to every other device it needs to communicate with, the system uses a software platform with a shared database that enables communication through data exchange, eliminating the need for physical rewiring when components are replaced or added
3Reliability
If wired connections are used for device communication, then communication reliability is maintained, but system complexity increases when adding new components requiring rewiring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic communication architecture where the system can adapt to new components without fixed physical connections. The software-based system allows devices to be added, removed, or modified dynamically without requiring system-wide rewiring or reconfiguration, as communication pathways are established through software configuration rather than physical wiring
Data Source
AI summary
A system for performing industrial automation control may include a first device that generates a first set of data formatted according to a first protocol and a second device that generates an automation command. The automation command may control the first device based on the first set of data. The second device may interpret data formatted according to a second protocol. The system may include a broker system coupled between the first device and the second device to transform data communicated between the devices, such as the first set of data, the automation command, or both. For example, the broker system may transmit a set of data generated to communicate the first set of data to the second device formatted according to the second protocol as opposed to being formatting according to the first protocol.