Cloud Telecontrol Arrangement for Protocol Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing telecontrol arrangements are inflexible and require significant effort for configuration and maintenance, making it difficult to adapt to changing requirements or connect a large number of field devices with varying communication protocols.

Innovation Solution

A telecontrol arrangement formed in a data processing cloud that can be easily adapted and maintained, using universal data processing devices to communicate with field devices and control centers via standardized protocols, and providing scalability and flexibility in communication protocols and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional telecontrol arrangements are used, then communication between field devices and control centers is established, but the system requires significant configuration and maintenance effort, reducing adaptability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to changing requirementsVSAvoidconfiguration and maintenance effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal telecontrol arrangement that can communicate with multiple types of field devices using different protocols (IEC 60870-5-101, IEC 60870-5-104, Modbus, Profibus) through a single standardized interface. This multi-functional capability allows the system to adapt to various communication requirements without requiring separate dedicated devices for each protocol, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through standardization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The telecontrol arrangement serves as an intermediary device between field devices and control centers, providing protocol conversion and data normalization functions. This mediator role enables the system to handle diverse communication protocols from different field devices and present unified, standardized data to the control center, reducing the configuration and maintenance burden on both sides while improving overall system adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the telecontrol arrangement connects to many field devices with varying protocols, then communication coverage increases, but the difficulty of configuration and maintenance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport for multiple field devices and protocolsVSAvoidease of configuration and maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a universal communication interface that supports multiple protocols simultaneously, allowing a single telecontrol arrangement to connect to numerous field devices with different communication standards. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized devices and simplifies configuration through standardized connection procedures, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining broad protocol support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The telecontrol arrangement dynamically adapts its communication parameters based on the detected field device type and protocol. By automatically adjusting communication settings, data formats, and transmission parameters according to the connected device, the system reduces manual configuration requirements and simplifies maintenance operations across diverse device landscapes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If standardized communication protocols are used, then interoperability improves, but flexibility in handling specialized field devices decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteroperability between devicesVSAvoidflexibility for specialized communication needs
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The telecontrol arrangement functions as a protocol mediator that translates between standardized internal communication formats and various external field device protocols. This intermediary layer maintains standardized interoperability at the control center interface while providing flexible protocol adaptation at the field device interface, thereby resolving the contradiction between standardization and specialization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication architecture is segmented into distinct layers: a standardized core layer for control center communication and adaptable interface layers for different field device protocols. This segmentation allows the system to maintain strict standardization where needed for interoperability while providing flexible protocol implementation at the edge for specialized field devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10719062B2Telecontrol arrangement, system and method for observing and/or controlling an installation
Publication Date: 2020.07.21 SIEMENS AG
  • US10719062B2 patent drawing
  • US10719062B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A telecontrol arrangement observes and/or controls an installation. The telecontrol arrangement is set up to communicate with field devices of the installation and with a control center arrangement. In order to specify a comparatively flexible telecontrol arrangement which can be adapted to change intended purposes with a smaller amount of effort, provision is made for the telecontrol arrangement to be formed in a data processing cloud.