Field Device Data Mirroring for Automation System Diagnostics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for integrating field devices into automation systems face challenges in operating and monitoring field devices when cyclic data exchange between field devices and higher-level controllers fails, limiting the availability of diagnostic data and command functionality for parameterization software.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses data mirroring to transfer commands, messages, and diagnostic data from a higher-level controller to a microcontroller within the fieldbus connection, allowing parameterization software to access and monitor field devices, even in the absence of cyclic data exchange, through a fieldbus connection designed as a bus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If acyclic communication channel is used between engineering tool and field devices, then parameterization and configuration functions are available, but operation and monitoring functions are not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication functions by separating parameterization software (for configuration) from operation software (for monitoring and control). The field device includes both an acyclic interface for parameterization and a cyclic interface for operation, allowing each software component to use the appropriate communication channel for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The field device is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both acyclic and cyclic communication interfaces, enabling it to serve both parameterization purposes and operational monitoring purposes. This universal design allows the single field device to handle multiple communication modes without requiring separate devices.
2Reliability
If cyclic data exchange between field devices and higher-level controller is failed, then system reliability is improved, but data availability for parameterization software is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data buffer as an intermediary component that stores diagnostic data and process data locally in the field device. This buffer acts as a mediator between the cyclic communication interface and the acyclic parameterization interface, allowing parameterization software to access data even when cyclic communication with the higher-level controller is unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The field device preliminarily stores diagnostic data and process data in its internal buffer before parameterization software needs to access them. This preliminary action ensures that data is already available locally when parameterization software requests it, eliminating the need for real-time cyclic communication and maintaining data availability during communication failures.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for integrating field-appliances in automation system has a supervisory control (40) which provides commands, and messages and/diagnostic data to a micro-controller (31) and at least one parameter software is provided for configuring the respective field-device (30).The field-bus circuitry (35) of the respective field-appliance (30) is provided so that the commands and messages etc of the main control (40) can be transferred into the storage section (A2) of the micro-controller (31). An independent claim is also included for a method for integrating field-appliances in automation system.