Field Device Measurement Rate Control Using Correlation Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-operated field devices in process automation systems require frequent maintenance due to limited battery life, leading to process downtime and economic inefficiencies, as the measurement rate cannot be set too low to adequately monitor processes.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves correlating measured variables between multiple field devices using an auto-machine learning algorithm to determine optimal measurement rates, allowing for reduced power consumption and extended battery life by recognizing correlation patterns between field devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the measurement rate is set high to ensure adequate process monitoring, then process monitoring quality is improved, but battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement rate of the first field device is dynamically adjusted based on detected correlation patterns. During learning phase, the system measures at preset rates to establish correlations. During operation phase, the measurement rate is adaptively changed - reduced when correlations are detected, while maintaining high rates when correlations are not detected, ensuring both battery life extension and process monitoring quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement rate parameter based on detected correlation patterns between field devices. By identifying when measured variables correlate, the system can safely reduce the measurement rate of individual devices without compromising overall process monitoring quality, thus extending battery life
2Duration of action of moving object
If the measurement rate is set low to extend battery life, then battery life is improved, but process monitoring quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors correlation patterns between field devices and uses this feedback to adjust measurement rates. When correlations are detected, the system feedback-indicates that reduced measurement rates are acceptable. When correlations are not detected, the system maintains higher measurement rates to ensure process monitoring quality
Solution Approach 2:
During a learning phase before normal operation, the system performs preliminary measurements at preset rates to establish correlation patterns between field devices. This preliminary action enables the system to later optimize measurement rates based on known correlations, ensuring both battery life extension and monitoring quality
3Reliability
If battery replacement is performed frequently to maintain field device availability, then field device availability is improved, but process downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous process operation by extending battery life through reduced measurement rates. By dynamically adjusting measurement rates based on correlation patterns, the system maintains field device availability without requiring frequent battery replacements and associated process stoppages
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for optimizing a measurement rate of a first field device (11) in a measurement system (1). In order to use the method, the measurement system (1) must comprise, in addition to the first field device (11), at least one second field device (12) in which at least the measurement variable (L) of the first field device (11) is correlated with the measurement variable (f) of the second field device (12). The method is based on determining a respective specific correlation pattern between the first measurement variable (L) and the second measurement variable (f) on the basis of measured values measured in a learning phase. This makes it possible, according to the invention, to check at least the measured values from the second field device (12) for the correlation pattern during normal measurement operation and to change the measurement rate of the first field device (11) during the corresponding time window (Δt). This makes it possible to increase the service life and/or availability in the process installation, in particular in the case of battery-operated field devices (11, 12, 13), with the result that downtimes of the process installation can be avoided.