Edge Redundancy Software for Industrial Network Link Failures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial automation systems face challenges with communication link interruptions, leading to information loss, system malfunctions, and costly production downtime, particularly due to the complexity and hardware dependency of implementing redundancy protocols like MRP, HSR, and PRP.
Innovation Solution
An edge device with application software that configures second communication ports for redundant operation according to industrial redundancy protocols, allowing for flexible and low-outlay provision, modification, or retrofitting of redundancy functions, independent of the device's hardware, enabling seamless data exchange between private and public networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundancy functions are implemented using FPGA or firmware in traditional industrial automation devices, then communication link reliability is improved, but device complexity and hardware dependency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/FPGA-based implementation of redundancy functions with a software-based solution running on general-purpose processors. The redundancy protocol processing (MRP, HSR, PRP) that was traditionally implemented in hardware FPGA or firmware is now implemented as software applications, eliminating the need for specialized hardware components and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables edge devices with general-purpose processors to perform multiple functions including both edge computing tasks and redundancy protocol processing. The same device can function as an edge computing device, a redundancy manager, or a redundancy client depending on the software configuration, providing universal functionality without requiring specialized hardware for each function.
2Reliability
If redundancy functions are implemented using FPGA or firmware, then communication reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture and retrofitting deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hardware-based redundancy implementation with software-based implementation, allowing redundancy functions to be deployed via software installation rather than hardware integration. This enables retrofitting of existing devices without complex hardware modifications and simplifies the manufacturing process by using standard off-the-shelf components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses software copies of redundancy protocol implementations that can be loaded and executed on various edge devices. The redundancy functionality is replicated through software rather than requiring physical hardware copies, enabling easy deployment and modification across different device platforms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional industrial automation devices are used with hardware-based redundancy, then communication stability is improved, but adaptability to different protocols and configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic protocol support where the edge device can adapt its redundancy protocol implementation based on runtime configuration and requirements. The software-based approach allows the device to dynamically switch between different redundancy protocols (MRP, HSR, PRP) and adapt to changing network topologies and requirements, unlike static hardware implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal edge device platform that can handle multiple redundancy protocols and configurations through software. The same hardware platform can be configured to support MRP, HSR, PRP, or other redundancy protocols as needed, providing protocol-agnostic functionality that enhances adaptability while maintaining communication stability.
4Ease of repair
If edge devices with software-based redundancy are used, then ease of modification and retrofitting is improved, but device complexity increases due to software management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hardware configuration and modification processes with software-based configuration. Redundancy functions can be modified, updated, or retrofitted by loading new software images or configuring existing software parameters, eliminating the need for hardware rework and simplifying the modification process despite the presence of software management.
Data Source
AI summary
An edge device includes a first communications connection to a public first network, a plurality of second communications connections to a second network, i.e., a private industrial network, and application software that is loadable via the first connection into the edge device, wherein the edge device is configured such that the plurality of second communications connections are configurable via the application software for redundant operation of the second network in accordance with an industrial redundancy protocol, and the application software executes redundancy functions of the redundancy protocol, such that a quick and simple way of providing, changing or retrofitting redundancy functions for a redundantly operated industrial communications network is hereby possible.