Containerized Firmware for Edge Control in OT Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face limitations in control operations and bandwidth usage within operational technology (OT) networks, particularly when communicating with information technology (IT) networks, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission and processing.
Innovation Solution
Implementing software containers within industrial automation devices to execute control operations, receive data, and determine control actions, thereby reducing latency and expanding device capabilities, including data analysis, without modifying existing hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If data is transmitted between OT network and IT network for analysis, then data analysis capability is improved, but bandwidth usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
A gateway device is introduced as an intermediary between the OT network and IT network. The gateway executes firmware as a service that performs data analysis locally at the network edge, eliminating the need to transmit large volumes of raw data to remote IT systems while still providing analytical capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves data processing from the traditional centralized IT network dimension to the distributed OT network edge dimension. By implementing firmware as a service directly in the OT network environment, the system provides analytical capabilities locally without requiring extensive data transmission across network boundaries.
2Adaptability or versatility
If firmware is updated traditionally, then device functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device is designed to execute multiple different firmware images dynamically, allowing a single device to perform multiple functions. The gateway can load and execute firmware for different protocols, devices, or functionalities as needed, rather than requiring separate dedicated devices for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The firmware update mechanism is made dynamic through the use of containers. Firmware is packaged in container formats that can be easily deployed, updated, and removed. The gateway can dynamically load new firmware containers without requiring complex reconfiguration or system reboots, enabling flexible and rapid functionality changes.
Data Source
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AI summary
An industrial automation device includes processing circuitry and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that includes instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry of the industrial automation device, cause the processing circuitry to execute a software container and receive, at the software container, data from one or more industrial automation devices communicatively coupled to the industrial automation device. The instructions, when executed, also cause the processor to determine, using the software container, one or more control operations for the industrial automation device or the one or more industrial automation devices based on the data. Furthermore, the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to cause the industrial automation device to perform the one or more control operations or send the one or more control operations to the one or more industrial automation devices.