Embedded Historian Event-Driven Data Download
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional industrial control systems face challenges in seamless data exchange between components, particularly with embedded historian components that risk data loss due to limited RAM capacity, leading to potential data overload and compliance issues with regulations like 21 CFR Part 11.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an event-driven data download system that automatically transfers data from embedded historians to a central plant historian when predetermined storage thresholds are reached, using a detector component to monitor storage capacity and a notification component to confirm persistent storage, thereby reducing data backup risks and ensuring compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data is stored locally in embedded historian RAM, then data collection speed is improved, but data loss risk increases when storage capacity is reached
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing download triggers and thresholds in advance. When storage capacity reaches predetermined levels, the system automatically initiates data download to external storage before data loss occurs, preventing the harmful effect while maintaining high collection speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (download trigger system) between the embedded historian and external storage. This intermediary monitors storage levels and facilitates automatic data transfer, resolving the contradiction by enabling continuous local collection while ensuring periodic external backup
2Reliability
If manual data download is implemented, then data backup is ensured, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically monitoring storage capacity and initiating data downloads without operator intervention. The embedded historian self-manages the backup process through predetermined triggers, eliminating manual operations while ensuring data backup reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors storage levels and automatically responds when thresholds are reached. This closed-loop feedback system ensures data backup while simplifying operations, as the system self-regulates based on its own state
3Reliability
If frequent data downloads are performed, then data loss risk is reduced, but system performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by scheduling data downloads based on storage thresholds rather than continuously. Downloads occur periodically when triggered by capacity levels, maintaining data loss prevention while minimizing performance impact by avoiding unnecessary transfer operations
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods that provide for event driven downloading, via defining storage thresholds in an embedded historian (e.g. micro historian). Upon reaching predetermined thresholds (e.g., low/high water marks), stored data in the embedded historians can automatically down load to a central plant historian. An automatic download engine is provided that down loads historian data based on satisfaction of such conditions defined for the download. The download engine can further include a detector component, which detects whether a predetermined condition (e.g., associated with the storage capacity of the micro-historians have been met. Moreover, a notification component can notify the embedded historians that the data have been permanently persisted in the central historian.