Autonomous Connecting Unit for Field-Level Process Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connecting automation systems to external data infrastructures requires computation resources that could otherwise be used for process control, potentially leading to safety-critical failures and resource inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A connecting unit comprising a field bus module, network module, and interface module, configured as a field device on the automation system's field level, autonomously transmits and receives process data between the automation system and external data infrastructure, independent of the control unit and other control units, using a field bus and external data network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the control unit is used to transmit process data to external data infrastructure, then data transmission functionality is achieved, but computation resources are consumed that could be used for process control
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two functional segments: the control unit dedicated to process control tasks, and a separate connecting unit (field device) dedicated to data transmission tasks. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, preventing the control unit from consuming computation resources on data transmission while maintaining full data transmission capability through the connecting unit.
2Device complexity
If the control unit handles both process control and data transmission, then system complexity is reduced, but safety-critical failures may occur due to resource conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into control unit and connecting unit, safety-critical process control functions are isolated from non-critical data transmission functions. This ensures that resource allocation for process control is guaranteed and cannot be compromised by data transmission demands, thereby improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through clear functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting unit acts as an intermediary between the automation system and external data infrastructure. It handles all communication tasks, freeing the control unit from data transmission responsibilities. This intermediary role protects the safety-critical control unit from potential failures or disruptions originating from external network communications.
3Reliability
If a separate connecting unit is introduced for data transmission, then functional independence and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting unit is designed as an autonomous field device that independently handles data transmission without requiring control unit involvement. It manages its own communication protocols, data formatting, and network interactions, thereby providing self-service functionality. This independence improves reliability while the modular design keeps the added complexity manageable and localized to a single dedicated component.
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting unit to transmit process data of an automation process of an automation system to an external data infrastructure, configured as a field device for arrangement on a field level of the automation system. The connecting unit comprises a field bus module, network module and interface module. The field bus module is configured to interchange the process data via the field bus with a signal unit connected to the automation process via a field connection. The network module is configured to interchange the process data with the external data infrastructure, use the data network to transmit input process data to the external data infrastructure, and retrieve output process data from the external data infrastructure. The interface module is configured to interchange the process data between the field bus module and the network module. The interface module prompts interchange of the process data autonomously.