Control Program Validation Using Integrated Equipment Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for validating control programs in automation systems are complex and difficult to set up due to the involvement of various simulation tools and elements, making it challenging to coordinate the execution of control programs with simulation programs.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a controller environment and an equipment simulation environment, both programmed in the same or similar controller programming languages, to facilitate easier coordination and setup by enabling communicative coupling and data exchange between the two environments, allowing for the simulation of automation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If various simulation tools and elements are used to validate control programs, then the validation capability is improved, but the system setup complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control program execution environment and the equipment simulation environment into a single integrated system with shared memory space. This merging eliminates the need for complex external communication interfaces and coordination mechanisms between separate tools, thereby maintaining validation capability while significantly reducing system setup complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller environment is designed to serve multiple functions: it can execute both the control program and the simulation program within the same environment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized simulation tools, simplifying the overall system setup while preserving comprehensive validation capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate simulation tools are used for control program and equipment simulation, then specialized simulation capabilities are improved, but the coordination difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both the control program and simulation program are executed within the same controller environment with shared memory access. This merging eliminates the coordination overhead of interfacing between separate simulation tools, making the system easier to operate while maintaining specialized simulation capabilities through appropriate program design.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for validating a control program for an automation system, wherein the control program is created in a first controller programming language and is arranged and setup to control an apparatus or device of the automation system when executed by an automation controller of the automation system, where the system includes a controller environment for executing the control program, an equipment simulation environment for executing a simulation program for simulating behavior of the apparatus or device or parts thereof, whereas the equipment simulation environment is communicatively coupled to the controller environment to enable and/or perform a simulation of the automation system, and whereas the simulation program is created in the first controller programming language or a second controller programming language.