Hierarchical Data Model Mapping for Cross-Standard Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication standards like IEC 61850 are limited to specific environments and control levels, making it difficult for devices implementing these standards to exchange data with devices using different hierarchical data models, such as PROFINET IO, which restricts the flexibility and compatibility of control equipment across various technical environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and computer program product that map elements of one hierarchical data model to corresponding elements of another, enabling data exchange between devices operating under different data models by utilizing a second model communication handling unit to restructure data and identify elements, allowing devices to communicate across different standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a device implements a specific hierarchical data model (e.g., IEC 61850), then communication within that standard's environment is reliable, but compatibility with devices using different data models (e.g., PROFINET IO) is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data model mapping layer that acts as an intermediary between devices using different hierarchical data models. This mapping layer translates data elements, structures, and semantics from one data model to another, enabling communication between IEC 61850 and PROFINET IO devices without requiring changes to the devices themselves. The mapping layer preserves communication reliability while achieving cross-standard compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables a single device to implement multiple data models simultaneously through the mapping mechanism. A device can now function in both IEC 61850 and PROFINET IO environments, making it universal and adaptable to different communication standards without sacrificing reliability in either environment.
2Reliability
If communication standards are specialized for specific environments, then performance within that environment is optimized, but flexibility to operate across different technical environments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mapping mechanism enables communication equipment to operate universally across multiple technical environments (IEC 61850, PROFINET IO, etc.) while maintaining optimized performance in each environment. The device preserves environment-specific communication optimizations through accurate data model mapping.
3Productivity
If data models are structured differently across standards, then each standard can be optimized for its specific use case, but the complexity of enabling communication between standards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated mapping layer that handles the complexity of data model translation between different standards. This intermediary absorbs the mapping complexity, allowing each standard to maintain its optimized data structure while enabling communication through the translation layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication system into distinct layers: the standard-specific data model layer and the mapping layer. This segmentation allows each standard to maintain its optimized structure independently while the mapping layer handles the integration complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device (24) implementing a first hierarchical data model is able to communicate with another device (20) using a second model. Both models have elements of different types at different levels and at least one element at one level in a set of device related elements and at least one data provision element at another level. The device (24) comprises an application handling unit (26) handling various applications and a second model communication handling unit (36) for providing communication with devices (20) communicating according to the second model. The second model communication handling unit (36) maps the data provision element (E0) of the first model (M1) to a data provision element (E0') of the second model (M2) and one or more device identifying element in the set of device identifying elements in the first model to one or more device identifying element in the set of device identifying elements in the second model.