DTM Instance Creation for Control System Topology Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring Field Device Tool (FDT) applications is complex and error-prone due to the need for extensive knowledge of system topology, leading to user dissatisfaction and inefficiencies in configuring control systems.
Innovation Solution
The system allows users to select plant areas or functional areas to automatically create Device Type Manager (DTM) instances for gateway devices, utilizing a device manager gateway that provides communication DTM to upload and present partition and operational information, enabling users to visualize and modify network structures without requiring detailed knowledge of the control system topology, thereby simplifying the configuration process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If users manually configure FDT applications with complete knowledge of system topology, then configuration accuracy is improved, but configuration time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically discovering the control system topology through the device manager gateway and generating FDT configuration data without requiring manual user input. The gateway autonomously scans devices, collects topology information, and populates the FDT project, eliminating the need for users to manually configure each device while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The device manager gateway performs preliminary actions by pre-discovering and storing the complete system topology before FDT configuration is needed. This preliminary discovery phase collects all device information, relationships, and operational data, which is then readily available for rapid FDT project generation, significantly reducing configuration time.
2Loss of information
If users manually discover system topology through device scanning, then complete system knowledge is achieved, but configuration complexity and error probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device manager gateway serves as an intermediary between the physical control devices and the FDT configuration system. It performs the complex task of device scanning and topology discovery, then presents simplified, structured topology information to the FDT application. This intermediary role eliminates the need for users to directly handle complex device scanning while ensuring complete topology knowledge is captured.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive device scanning is performed to identify all field devices, then system topology accuracy is improved, but configuration time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs comprehensive device scanning as a preliminary action before FDT configuration. The device manager gateway executes the scanning process in advance, collects all topology information, and stores it in a structured format. This allows rapid FDT project generation without repeating the time-consuming scanning process, thereby maintaining high topology accuracy while improving configuration efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Partition information concerning equipment disposed in a local area is determined. The partition information specifies a division of a local area into a plurality of sub-areas with each of the plurality of sub-areas having equipment. The partition information is uploaded to a user and one or more sub-areas are selected. Operational information concerning a plurality of devices contained in the selected sub-area is uploaded relating to the operation or the interconnection of the devices. The uploaded information is presented to the user in a way that facilitates an understanding of a structure of the network. After the information is analyzed, a network modification is selected, and at least one DTM-compliant software instance that implements the network modification is created.