Digital Twin Network Planning for Industrial Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional network planning tools for industrial networks are inflexible, require manual input of device models and locations, lack reconfiguration support, and have limited scalability and protocol support, making them unsuitable for modern, dynamic, and scalable industrial network infrastructures.
Innovation Solution
A network planning appliance utilizing a digital twin interface module, orchestration module, and validation module to automate network configuration and reconfiguration, leveraging cloud computing for scalable and flexible network planning, and enabling real-time monitoring and optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional network planning tools are used, then network configuration can be generated, but manual input of device models and locations is required which is time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital twins as virtual copies of physical network entities to automatically generate network configurations. Instead of manual input, the system copies device information from the digital twin representation, eliminating time-consuming manual data entry while maintaining accuracy of device models and locations
Solution Approach 2:
The network planning tool automatically retrieves and processes network configuration data from digital twins without requiring manual intervention. The system self-services by autonomously generating configurations based on the digital twin data, reducing both manual effort and potential errors
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional network planning tools are used, then network configuration can be generated, but the tools lack reconfiguration support requiring complete re-planning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic network reconfiguration by allowing users to modify individual parameters in the digital twin representation without re-planning the entire network. The system dynamically updates configurations based on changed parameters, providing adaptability while minimizing time loss through selective rather than complete re-planning
Solution Approach 2:
The digital twin maintains pre-configured network entity information and relationships, so when reconfiguration is needed, only the changed parameters require attention. The preliminary structure is already in place, allowing rapid modification without starting from scratch
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional network planning tools are used, then proprietary protocol support is provided, but flexibility and protocol support are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal network planning tool that can handle multiple industrial communication protocols through the digital twin abstraction layer. The digital twin serves as a protocol-agnostic representation that can model various device types and protocols, enabling the tool to work with different protocols without requiring protocol-specific complexity
4Extent of automation
If traditional network planning tools are used, then basic network planning can be performed, but automation support is limited requiring extensive manual input
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically copies network entity data from digital twins to generate configurations, eliminating manual data entry. This copying mechanism automates the extraction of device models, locations, and parameters directly from the digital twin representation, significantly increasing automation while reducing manual process complexity
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
The present embodiments relate to network planning appliance designed for configuring entities in an industrial network. It includes a digital twin interface module for accessing one or more digital twins, which define network entities, their attributes, and connections, representing the network's configuration. The appliance also features an orchestration module with a user interface for receiving user input and determining corresponding intents. The orchestration module issues tasks to amend the network configuration in line with the intents. A validation module validates the amended network configuration to ensure it conforms to the intent.