Control System Simulation Interface for Simplified Module Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control system testing and simulation methods are complex due to non-standardized user interfaces, mixing of simulation and control code, and the need for multiple tools, which increases engineering hours and costs, especially when dealing with diverse control system devices and protocols.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for facilitating control system testing and simulation by converting control module aspect type data to simplified representations, allowing for standardized interfacing with external dynamic process models, thereby reducing the need for extensive adaptation and handling of protocol/IO-specific interfaces within the test and simulation tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software based platforms are used for control system testing, then testing flexibility is improved, but user interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a standardized interface layer between the control system and external dynamic process models. This interface acts as an intermediary that translates diverse control system protocols into a common standardized format, thereby maintaining testing flexibility while reducing user interface complexity. The standardized interface eliminates the need for testers to directly handle multiple proprietary protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal standardized interface that can work with multiple different control system protocols and external dynamic process models. This universal interface allows a single testing platform to accommodate various control systems without requiring protocol-specific implementations, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If feedback simulation is incorporated in control logic code, then simulation integration is improved, but system safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the simulation functionality from the control logic by using external dynamic process models that run separately from the control system. The control system generates standardized output signals, while the simulation runs in an external environment. This segmentation maintains simulation integration benefits while eliminating safety risks associated with mixing simulation code with control code.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the feedback simulation functionality from the control logic code and places it in external dynamic process models. This extraction removes the safety risk of simulation code being active in the controller while preserving the integration benefits through standardized interface connections.
3Measurement precision
If multiple tools are used to validate control system results, then validation completeness is improved, but engineering hours increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple validation functions into a single integrated testing platform that uses external dynamic process models. These models can simultaneously provide process dynamics simulation, control response validation, and performance measurement in one unified environment, eliminating the need to switch between multiple separate tools and reducing engineering hours.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal testing platform with a standardized interface that can perform multiple validation functions simultaneously. The external dynamic process models can validate various aspects of control system performance (process dynamics, control response, setpoint tracking) within a single tool, reducing the need for multiple specialized tools.
4Measurement precision
If control system specific interface knowledge is required for testing, then testing accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a standardized interface as an intermediary between the control system and the tester. This interface translates control system specific protocols into a common format that external dynamic process models can understand. Testers no longer need to learn multiple control system specific interfaces, as the standardized interface handles protocol translation automatically.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for facilitating control system testing, and interfacing with an external dynamic process model by means of a test and simulation tool, the control system comprising a plurality of control module aspect types, each control module aspect type being one of a control module type and a field device signal type, wherein the method comprises: c) receiving, via an I/O port of the test and simulation tool, control module aspect type data from a control module aspect type of the control system, d) converting the control module aspect type data to simplified control module aspect type data based on the control module aspect type, e) providing the simplified control module aspect type data to a simplified general control module aspect type, the simplified general control module aspect type being a simplified representation of the control module aspect type, and f) performing a feedback simulation using the simplified general control module aspect type and the simplified control module aspect type data,org) sending the simplified control module aspect type data from the test and simulation tool to the external dynamic process model.