Controller Delay Compensation for Accurate Observation Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Controllers in factory automation systems face challenges in accurately determining the time at which observation values from control targets are received due to varying delay times between the function units and the controller, affecting the accuracy of data analysis and processing.
Innovation Solution
A controller with a communication interface, writing unit, and delay obtaining unit that measures and stores delay times, allowing for accurate determination of observation value times by associating them with the delay information, and a time determination unit that corrects the time of observation values based on this information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If observation values are collected through function units connected via fieldbus or field network, then data transmission capability is improved, but delay time varies between different connection modes affecting time accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring and storing delay times in advance for each connection mode before actual observation value processing. The controller pre-measures the delay between when an observation value is input to a function unit and when it becomes usable in the controller, storing this information for later correction. This allows accurate time determination without real-time measurement delays.
2Measurement precision
If delay time measurement and correction mechanisms are added, then time determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a delay obtaining unit and delay information storage as intermediate components between the function units and the main control logic. These intermediaries handle the complex delay measurement and correction tasks, allowing the main controller to simply retrieve and apply pre-measured delay values, thus managing complexity through modular separation of concerns.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller performs a control operation associated with a control target. The controller includes a communication interface that electrically connects at least one function unit to the controller through a data transmission path, a writing unit that writes an observation value obtained through the function unit into a database, and a delay obtaining unit that obtains a delay time taken from when a signal indicating an observation value is input into the function unit to when data representing the observation value becomes usable in the controller, and stores information indicating the obtained delay time.