Descriptor File Schema for Process Data Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current process control systems face inefficiencies in managing process data, particularly due to the complexity of converting data between different communication protocols and the need for manual configuration of EDDL files to reference process data locations, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a common file format for storing process control data, using descriptor files that conform to a schema, allows for standardized storage and retrieval of process data, enabling applications to access data without specific protocol support and reducing the need for complex interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universal toolset is implemented using EDDL files to support multiple communication protocols, then adaptability to different field devices is improved, but device complexity and manual configuration burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a descriptor file as an intermediary data structure that sits between the field device and the application. This descriptor file contains a file body with sections and file entries that reference process data locations, eliminating the need for applications to directly interpret multiple communication protocols while maintaining protocol compatibility through a standardized interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the process data storage structure into organized components: descriptor files containing file bodies, which are divided into sections, which in turn contain file entries. This hierarchical segmentation allows systematic organization of process data from multiple field devices without requiring complex monolithic configuration files.
2Ease of operation
If manual configuration of EDDL files is performed to reference process data locations, then data accessibility is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by automatically generating descriptor files with properly structured file bodies, sections, and file entries before applications need to access the process data. The system pre-organizes data references using schemas that specify object types and locations, eliminating the need for manual configuration work when deploying new field devices or applications.
3Measurement precision
If protocol-specific conversions are implemented to access process data, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a descriptor file structure that can represent process data from multiple communication protocols (Hart, Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus) through a single standardized format. The file body with sections and file entries provides a universal interface that applications can use to access process data without needing protocol-specific conversion logic, while the schema ensures data accuracy is maintained through type validation.
Data Source
AI summary
Example methods and apparatus to manage process control data are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a request for process data associated with a field device, searching a database for a descriptor file that includes the requested process data, and accessing the descriptor file to retrieve the process data to display within an application, wherein the process data is retrieved using a schema that specifies that the process data is located at an object referenced by a file entry that is part of a section of a file body included within the file. In the example method, the object may include at least one of an expression to calculate a value using the process data in a mathematical formula or a display transformation to instruct how the process data is to be displayed.