EDL Script Compilation for Process Control System Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current process control systems are limited in their ability to define and configure all components of a process control system using electronic description languages (EDLs), as they primarily focus on field devices and lack the capability to specify additional control and non-control components, as well as interconnections between them.
Innovation Solution
The use of interpretive system-level EDL scripts, which can be compiled into vendor-specific configuration languages, allows for the definition and configuration of a broader range of process control system components, including controllers, operator workstations, I/O cards, routers, and other devices, enabling a comprehensive representation of the entire system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic description languages are used to describe field devices, then standardized interfaces for parameterization and visualization are achieved, but the ability to define and configure control components and interconnections is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The EDL is extended from its original single function of describing field devices to a multi-functional language that can describe field devices, control components, interconnections, and system configuration all in one standardized format. This allows the same language framework to handle diverse configuration needs without requiring separate description languages for different system elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system configuration is segmented into distinct describable elements within the EDL framework, including field devices, control components, and interconnections. Each element type can be independently described and configured through specific EDL constructs, allowing complex systems to be broken down into manageable, standardized description units.
2Reliability
If vendor-specific configuration languages are used for process control systems, then specific components can be configured accurately, but interoperability and standardized management across different vendors are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The extended EDL serves as an intermediary layer between vendor-specific configuration requirements and standardized system management. It translates vendor-specific component details into a standardized description format while preserving the necessary configuration accuracy, enabling both precise component configuration and standardized cross-vendor management.
Solution Approach 2:
The EDL is designed to universally describe components from any vendor while maintaining vendor-specific configuration accuracy. The language framework accommodates diverse vendor requirements through standardized constructs that can represent different component types and configurations without requiring vendor-specific language variations.
3Ease of operation
If traditional configuration methods are used for process control systems, then field device parameterization is achieved, but comprehensive system-level configuration including control components and interconnections is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration system is segmented into hierarchical levels where field device parameterization remains a distinct, manageable function while being part of a larger system-level configuration framework. This allows traditional field device configuration capabilities to be preserved and extended to include control components and interconnections through additional EDL constructs.
Solution Approach 2:
Previously separate configuration capabilities (field device parameterization, control component configuration, interconnection definition) are merged into a unified EDL-based configuration system. This integration maintains the ease of field device parameterization while adding comprehensive system-level configuration capabilities in a cohesive framework.
Data Source
AI summary
Example methods and apparatus to configure a process control system using an electronic description language (EDL) script are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises loading a first script representative of a process plant, the first script comprising an interpretive system-level script structured in accordance with an electronic description language, and compiling the first script to form a second script, the second script structured in accordance with a vendor-specific configuration language associated with a particular process control system for the process plant.