Edge OA&M Orchestration for Ethernet-APL Field Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Ethernet-APL based field devices lack effective IT operations, administration, and management (OA&M) capabilities, limiting the scalability and functionality of industrial networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an edge-based interworking component on Ethernet-APL devices to facilitate IT OA&M services, including orchestration, monitoring, and management of hardware and software applications, enabling seamless integration with cloud and network infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional control systems perform monitoring and management of field devices, then comprehensive control and management is achieved, but system complexity and centralized processing burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments OA&M functionality into distributed components: edge devices execute local autonomous applications for immediate responses, while cloud-based orchestration services handle strategic management. This segmentation reduces centralized processing burden and enables parallel operation at multiple levels of the system hierarchy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional layer (edge computing layer) between traditional control systems and field devices. This intermediate dimension enables local intelligence and autonomous operation, reducing the burden on centralized control while maintaining comprehensive management capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If Ethernet-APL provides power and communication over single cable, then installation simplicity and scalability improve, but power management complexity and safety requirements in hazardous environments increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces edge devices as intermediaries between the Ethernet-APL network and field equipment in hazardous environments. These edge devices perform safety monitoring, authentication, and controlled power management, mediating between the simplified Ethernet-APL infrastructure and the stringent safety requirements of hazardous areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where edge devices autonomously monitor their own operational status, perform self-diagnostics, and execute fail-safe procedures. Autonomous applications on edge devices enable self-management of power consumption and safety compliance without requiring constant external supervision.
3Loss of time
If management tasks are pushed down to the edge, then response time and operational autonomy improve, but device resource requirements and local processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-loading autonomous applications onto edge devices during manufacturing or initial deployment. These pre-configured applications enable immediate autonomous operation without requiring complex real-time decision-making capabilities at the edge, reducing both response time and processing complexity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by deploying standardized autonomous application templates across multiple edge devices. Instead of requiring each edge device to have unique complex intelligence, standardized application copies enable consistent autonomous behavior across the network, reducing individual device complexity while maintaining fast local response.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cloud-based orchestration services are implemented, then strategic management and coordination improve, but network dependency and latency for critical operations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling edge devices to operate autonomously with full functional capability when needed, while selectively engaging cloud orchestration services for strategic management tasks. This local autonomy ensures operational reliability and independence, while cloud connectivity provides enhanced adaptability and coordination when available.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems/methods for monitoring and management of field devices and equipment at the edge provide an interworking component that runs on or at an edge device to facilitate monitoring and management of the field devices and equipment. In particular, the edge based interworking component allows operations, administration, and management (OA&M) services to be performed for both the hardware making up the devices as well as the operating systems and software applications running on the hardware. In some embodiments, OA&M services includes one or more IT orchestration services for the hardware as well as the operating systems and software applications running on the hardware. Such an arrangement allows monitoring and management of the field devices and equipment that have heretofore been performed by traditional control systems to be partly or entirely pushed down to the edge and/or pushed up to the cloud, depending on the particular implementation.