Automation Update Dependency Graphs for Safe Component Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face challenges in updating software and system components due to complex dependencies and lack of comprehensive support, leading to costly and error-prone maintenance, especially in smaller automation solutions where IT expertise is required, and remote care is time-consuming and expensive without suitable tool support.
Innovation Solution
A device and procedure that includes modules for accessing system-specific information, generating dependency graphs, analyzing version information, and integrating updated components, while considering dependencies and providing real-time update information to ensure admissibility and safety, using predefined formats and templates to automate the update process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software components are updated frequently to maintain security and functionality, then system reliability is improved, but maintenance effort and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting update requirements, analyzing dependencies, and preparing update packages before actual updates are executed. This includes retrieving update information, analyzing version changes, and preparing integration steps in advance, which reduces the complexity and risk of actual update execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary update management system that acts as a mediator between software components and the automation system. This intermediary automatically manages the complex tasks of dependency analysis, update integration, and system coordination, shielding users from the complexity while maintaining reliability through controlled update processes.
2Ease of operation
If comprehensive update support and automation tools are implemented, then maintenance effort is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The update management system implements self-service by automatically performing update detection, dependency analysis, and integration without requiring manual intervention. The system retrieves update information autonomously, analyzes version changes, determines integration steps, and executes updates automatically, significantly reducing maintenance effort while the automation handles the complexity internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal update management system that handles multiple functions including update detection, dependency analysis, version comparison, integration planning, and execution. This multi-functional system consolidates various maintenance tasks into a single automated platform, reducing overall maintenance effort while managing complexity through integration rather than adding separate tools.
3Manufacturing precision
If dependency analysis and integration steps are automated, then update accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs dependency analysis and integration step determination as preliminary actions during idle periods or in the background before updates are actually applied. By pre-analyzing dependencies and preparing integration plans in advance, the system ensures high accuracy through thorough analysis while minimizing the time required during actual update execution, as the complex analysis work has already been completed.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (E) for updating software components and plant components of an automation system, comprising: - a first module for retrieving and receiving plant-specific (4a) and service-specific information (5) in a predefined format (7); - a second module (6a) for generating a dependency graph between the software components, the plant components of the automation system and components of an IT infrastructure located outside the automation system and networked with the automation system and/or components of another automation system based on a predefined declaration format (7);- a third module (6b) which, using the plant-specific information (4a) and a time-predefined, repeatable retrieval, determines information on modified versions of affected software and plant components by analyzing information on the execution of software generation runs and evaluating version information in software information stores (2; 3) and/or software distribution platforms (1); - a fourth module (6c) which, using the generated dependency graphs and the information on modified versions of affected software and/or plant components, integrates these modified components into the automation system.