Controller Configuration via Database-Mediated Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems face inefficiencies in data communication and access, particularly in large-scale distributed systems, where controllers often interrupt each other to retrieve operational parameters, leading to reduced efficiency and cumbersome data access.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a database that facilitates communication between controllers by storing and transmitting data, allowing controllers to retrieve necessary information without interrupting each other's operations, thereby standardizing communication and improving data transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If controllers directly request and retrieve data from each other, then data can be obtained for control decisions, but controller operations are interrupted and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a database as an intermediary component that stores control system data. Instead of controllers directly requesting data from each other (which causes interruptions), controllers asynchronously read data from the database at the beginning of their decision cycles. This mediator approach ensures data availability while eliminating interruptions to controller operations, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
2Device complexity
If controllers operate independently without centralized data storage, then system complexity is reduced, but data communication becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal database that serves multiple controllers simultaneously. This single data storage component provides data access services to all controllers in the system, eliminating the need for complex peer-to-peer communication protocols. The database's multi-functional role in serving various controllers improves data access efficiency while maintaining relatively simple system architecture, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If data is accessed only at the beginning of decision cycles, then controller design is simplified, but data freshness and responsiveness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having controllers read data from the database at the beginning of their decision cycles before executing control algorithms. This advance data acquisition allows controllers to prepare their decision-making processes with the most recent available data, improving data freshness and responsiveness. Meanwhile, the simplified read-only-at-startup approach maintains controller design simplicity, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and loss of time.
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments described herein include one embodiment that provides a control method that includes connecting a first controller to a control system; receiving control system configuration data from a database, in which the configuration data comprises holistic state data of a second controller in the control system; and configuring operation of the first controller based at least in part on the configuration data received.