Dynamic Configuration Controller for Industrial Control Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial control systems are not capable of dynamic reconfiguration, which limits their ability to adapt to changes in configuration and security settings in real-time, especially in response to component failures or security compromises, leading to potential vulnerabilities and disruptions in operations.
Innovation Solution
A controller module and method for dynamic configuration of industrial control systems that continuously monitor and update configuration and security settings, allowing for the dynamic establishment of communication paths to maintain security and adapt to changes, such as reassigning components and rerouting communication channels, without interrupting the production process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If industrial control systems are configured once during the engineering process, then system stability is maintained, but the system cannot adapt to changes in configuration and security settings in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration capability that allows the control system to adapt its configuration and security settings in real-time during operation. The system can dynamically establish communication paths, activate updated settings, and reassign components without requiring a complete system redesign or shutdown, thus achieving adaptability while maintaining operational stability through controlled dynamic changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by determining updated configuration and security settings before actually activating them. The system proposes changes, determines their impact on network units, and prepares updated settings in advance before dynamically establishing communication paths and applying the changes, ensuring that adaptability is achieved while maintaining system stability through careful pre-planning of modifications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system allows dynamic reconfiguration, then adaptability to changes improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller module as an intermediary that manages the dynamic reconfiguration process. This module receives current and changed configuration settings, determines updated settings for network units, and coordinates the dynamic establishment of communication paths. By centralizing the complexity management in a dedicated intermediary component, the system achieves real-time adaptability while containing and organizing the inherent complexity rather than distributing it throughout the entire system.
3Reliability
If communication paths are dynamically established, then security responsiveness to compromises improves, but activation time for updated settings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining updated configuration and security settings before dynamically establishing communication paths. The controller module analyzes current settings and proposed changes, pre-calculates the updated settings for network units, and only then activates them. This pre-computation approach enables rapid response to security compromises because the heavy analytical work is done in advance, reducing the actual activation time when security responses are needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by implementing a continuous monitoring and update mechanism. The system continuously determines current configuration and security settings, compares them with proposed changes, and dynamically establishes communication paths as needed. This continuous operation ensures that security responsiveness is maintained without significant interruptions or delays, as the system is always in a state of ready-to-update rather than requiring full reconfiguration cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller module, method, and a non-transitory computer program product are disclosed for the dynamic configuration of an industrial control system, which can include a current settings receiver configured to receive current configuration and security settings of the industrial control system, a changed settings receiver configured to receive changed configuration settings of the industrial control system, a settings analyzer configured to determine, based on the current configuration and security settings and the changed configuration settings, updated configuration and security settings of the industrial control system, and a dynamic activator configured to dynamically establish at least one communication path in order to activate updated configuration and security settings of the industrial control system.