Edge State Module Server for Low-Latency Industrial Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional automated data acquisition and control systems in industrial processes rely heavily on cloud-based servers, leading to latency delays, slow, intermittent, and disrupted connections, which hinder efficient data processing and visualization.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an edge computing architecture that allows edge devices to process and analyze data locally, including receiving attributes and current state data from devices in a distributed environment, preparing comparisons based on rules, and sending updates to human-machine-interface modules for display, even when disconnected from the cloud platform.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cloud-based servers are used for data processing and visualization, then centralized control and data management are achieved, but latency delays and connection disruptions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidlatency delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the centralized cloud-based architecture into distributed edge computing nodes deployed across multiple locations. Each edge server independently processes data locally, segmenting the monolithic cloud system into autonomous units that reduce dependency on centralized connectivity and minimize latency through local processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Edge servers pre-process and analyze data locally before transmitting to the cloud, performing preliminary actions that reduce the need for continuous cloud connectivity. This preliminary local processing ensures data is ready for immediate analysis without waiting for cloud round-trips, reducing latency and maintaining operational continuity during connection disruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If edge computing architecture is implemented for local data processing, then latency is reduced and continuous processing is enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing speedVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The edge server is designed as a universal platform capable of performing multiple functions: local data processing, visualization rendering, cloud communication, and autonomous operation. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single versatile unit, managing complexity while maintaining high productivity through local edge computing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11703848B2State edge module server system and method

Publication Date: 2023.07.18 AVEVA SOFTWARE LLC

AI summary

Embodiments include a server system including logic of an edge computing device. A network includes a cloud platform able to receive state change events from a state module, and execution of the program logic results in process steps of a method that include transmitting a plurality of attributes from the cloud platform to the at least one edge computing device, where the plurality of attributes can be associated with a device of a distributed environment coupled to the network. A further step includes receiving from the state module, by the edge computing device, current state data of the device, and a subsequent step includes performing a comparison based on a set of rules of the attributes, by the edge computing device, of the current state data. Further, based on the comparison, the method includes sending, by the edge computing device, an update to a human-machine-interface module.