Field Device Driver Auto-Deployment via Web Application Validator
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial plants with Distributed Control Systems, configuring field devices from various vendors is inefficient due to the need for unique software applications, manual installation of host applications and drivers, and frequent updates, which requires significant user effort and time.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a primary apparatus with a web application and driver validator service to automatically detect and deploy the necessary field device driver, reducing the need for manual installation and configuration across multiple devices and apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual installation and configuration of host applications and drivers is performed for each field device, then each field device can be configured with the correct software application, but significant user effort and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service configuration by allowing the destination apparatus to automatically detect field devices on the network, retrieve appropriate drivers from a catalog, and install them without manual user intervention. The automated driver installation service performs these tasks autonomously, eliminating the need for users to manually configure each device while ensuring correct software installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining a pre-configured catalog of field device drivers on the destination apparatus. Before actual field device configuration is needed, the system prepares the environment by having driver catalogs and installation services ready, so that when field devices are detected, the appropriate drivers can be immediately installed without delay.
2Adaptability or versatility
If unique software applications are provided for each field device from different vendors, then each field device can be properly configured, but the system complexity increases and user training requirements multiply
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements universality by creating a single host application that can configure multiple types of field devices from different vendors. Instead of requiring separate software applications for each device type, the universal host application uses a catalog-based driver system to adapt to various field devices, thereby reducing software complexity while maintaining broad device support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer in the form of device-specific drivers that act as mediators between the universal host application and various field devices. These drivers translate vendor-specific protocols and interfaces into a standardized format that the host application can understand, allowing one application to control multiple device types without requiring the application itself to be complex.
3Reliability
If host application software enhancements are distributed manually to multiple destination apparatus, then software updates can be implemented, but the process is tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining a centralized software enhancement repository and automatically distributing updates to multiple destination apparatus. Before manual distribution is needed, the system prepares update packages and uses automated services to deploy them across the network, ensuring software enhancements are propagated efficiently to all relevant systems.
4Reliability
If multiple destination apparatus need to be configured for field device testing, then comprehensive testing can be performed, but manual configuration of each apparatus increases user effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service configuration across multiple destination apparatus by deploying automated driver installation services to each apparatus. When field devices are detected on the network, the services automatically perform detection, driver retrieval, and installation without requiring users to manually configure each apparatus, thereby maintaining testing completeness while significantly reducing configuration effort.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a primary apparatus to configure a field device in use with a secondary apparatus. An application on the primary apparatus accesses a web application on the secondary apparatus. When a driver validator determines that a relevant driver for the field device is not on installed on the primary apparatus, the relevant driver is received from the secondary apparatus for the configuration. A corresponding system, software and method are also disclosed.