Automation Component Configuration via On-Board Compiler Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation engineering systems face challenges in configuring functionalities of automation components that are not supported in the current version of the engineering system, leading to synchronization efforts and delayed delivery of new features.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using an on-board compiler to interpret and integrate descriptions of non-supported features in a domain-specific language into a basic configuration generated by the engineering system, enabling the configuration of unsupported features and allowing for independent development and testing of runtime functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the engineering system uses a fixed release cycle for supporting components, then system stability is maintained, but new features and functionalities cannot be delivered early
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration system into two independent parts: the engineering system that maintains stable release cycles, and the on-board compiler that provides flexible, early access to new features. This segmentation allows each part to operate independently with different update frequencies, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The on-board compiler acts as an intermediary between the engineering system and the automation component. It receives configuration descriptions for non-supported features and compiles them into runtime configurations, enabling early feature delivery without disrupting the engineering system's stable release cycle.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the engineering system supports all component functionalities, then configuration completeness is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides configuration capabilities into two segments: supported features handled by the engineering system and non-supported features handled by the on-board compiler. This segmentation allows the engineering system to remain simple while still achieving complete configuration capability through the compiler's supplementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The automation component performs self-service by using its own on-board compiler to process and compile configurations for non-supported features. This eliminates the need for the engineering system to have built-in support for every possible feature, reducing engineering system complexity while maintaining configuration completeness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If new features are added to the engineering system in every release, then feature currency is maintained, but synchronization effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The on-board compiler serves as an intermediary that handles new features independently of the engineering system's release cycle. Feature descriptions are provided to the compiler, which compiles them without requiring synchronization with engineering system updates, eliminating the synchronization effort while maintaining feature currency.
Solution Approach 2:
Feature descriptions for non-supported features are prepared in advance and provided to the on-board compiler before the engineering system would naturally support them. This preliminary action allows new features to be implemented and delivered early without waiting for engineering system updates, avoiding synchronization delays.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for configuring an industrial automation component (1), whereby at least one feature of the industrial automation component (1) that is not configurable with an engineering system (2) supporting the component (1), non-supported feature, is configured by interpreting a description (7) of a configuration of the at least one non-supported feature with an on-board compiler (8) of the component (1) and integrating the interpreted description (9) to a basic configuration (3) having been generated with the engineering system (2) and regarding at least one further feature, supported feature, of the component (1). The invention furthermore regards an industrial automation component (1), a computer program and a computer-readable medium.