Industrial Edge App Testing in a Secure Runtime Environment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for developing and testing applications on industrial devices, such as CNC machines, are inflexible, lack accuracy, and require costly access to real machines, competing with production processes and materials, and there is no effective means for DevOps on real machines in manufacturing production.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing an industrial edge platform with secure runtime and development-and-testing environments to develop and test applications on real machines, ensuring cybersecurity and resource isolation, allowing seamless integration of IT into automation, and enabling real-time data collection and processing without disrupting production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a real machine is used for development and testing, then accuracy and realism of testing are improved, but production availability and cost are worsened due to competition for machine access
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the machine's functionality by creating a virtual copy (digital twin) that separates testing operations from production operations. The virtual machine replicates the physical machine's behavior and characteristics, allowing independent testing without affecting actual production. This segmentation enables parallel operation of testing and production environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual machine that is a digital copy of the physical machine, including its kinematic model, control logic, and operational characteristics. This copy allows developers to test applications with 100% realism without requiring access to the actual production machine, thereby eliminating resource competition while maintaining testing accuracy.
2Reliability
If a real machine is isolated in a dedicated environment for testing, then production safety is improved, but testing flexibility and DevOps capability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual machine acts as an intermediary between the development/testing environment and the physical production machine. It provides a safe interface for testing application logic while maintaining complete isolation from the actual production system. The virtual machine receives and processes test commands, simulating real machine responses without risking production safety.
Solution Approach 2:
By creating a faithful digital replica of the production machine, the system enables flexible development and DevOps practices on the copy while the original remains protected. The virtual machine can be accessed, modified, and tested without any risk to production safety, achieving both safety and flexibility simultaneously.
3Productivity
If simulated or virtualized machines are used for testing, then production availability is improved, but testing accuracy and realism are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual machine that is not a simplified simulation but a comprehensive digital twin that replicates the physical machine's exact behavior, including kinematics, control logic, and operational characteristics. This accurate copy provides 100% testing realism while maintaining production availability, eliminating the accuracy-deficiency of traditional simulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state parameter of the machine from physical to virtual, allowing the same machine to exist in two states simultaneously: the physical machine for production and the virtual machine for testing. The virtual machine maintains all critical parameters and behaviors of the physical machine, enabling accurate testing without physical resource occupation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for developing and testing an app for at least one industrial device (101), on an industrial edge platform (104) for executing apps for industrial devices (101), the at least one industrial device (101) connected to the at least one edge computing device (105) of the platform (104), wherein the app is for collecting device-related data, wherein the platform comprises a secure runtime (106) comprising cybersecurity constraints for app protection, platform runtime protection and industrial device (101) protection, wherein the method comprises following steps: - providing a development-and-testing environment (107) within the secure runtime (106), - providing access to the development-and-testing environment (107) to a user, - receiving input defining an app logic (109) from the user accessing the development-and-testing environment (107), - configuring the app logic (109), wherein the configuring comprises * defining the device-related data that the app receives during its runtime, * defining runtime resources for the app, - testing the app logic (109) by executing the app within the development-and-testing environment (107), wherein, during the execution, the app collects real-time device-related data, - providing the app for deployment on the platform.