Field Device Monitoring via Dual Communication Routes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional field device monitoring systems do not consider the status of communication routes within controlling systems, limiting their ability to effectively monitor the communication pathways essential for field device management.
Innovation Solution
A field device controlling system that includes a controller and a device monitoring unit capable of communicating through separate communication routes, allowing for checks on field device status and communication routes, including analog and digital signal transmission, to ensure proper connectivity and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional field device monitoring systems are used, then device status monitoring is provided, but communication route status cannot be checked
Solution Approach 1:
The device monitoring unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors both field device status and communication route status through the same unit, eliminating the need for separate monitoring systems. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by improving reliability through comprehensive monitoring while avoiding increased system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines field device monitoring and communication route monitoring into a single integrated system. The device monitoring unit handles both monitoring tasks simultaneously, merging what would traditionally require separate systems into one unified solution, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Loss of information
If separate communication routes are used for controller and device monitoring unit, then comprehensive monitoring is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments communication monitoring into two distinct routes: a first communication route between the controller and field device, and a second communication route between the device monitoring unit and field device. This segmentation allows comprehensive information collection while maintaining clear, separate communication paths that are easier to manage than a single complex route.
Solution Approach 2:
The device monitoring unit acts as an intermediary that monitors the field device through a separate communication route from the controller. This intermediary approach enables comprehensive monitoring information to be obtained without requiring the controller to handle all monitoring communications directly, thus reducing the complexity of the overall communication configuration.
3Reliability
If communication route status checking is added to monitoring system, then monitoring completeness improves, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device monitoring unit automatically performs communication route status checking without requiring manual intervention. The system self-monitors the communication routes between the controller, device monitoring unit, and field device, maintaining high reliability through automated monitoring while preserving ease of operation by eliminating the need for manual status verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic feedback mechanisms where the device monitoring unit continuously checks communication route status and provides this information back to the monitoring system. This automated feedback loop ensures complete monitoring information is available while maintaining operational simplicity, as the system self-regulates without requiring manual checks or interventions.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more field devices, and a controller are connected so as to be able to communicate with a field device through a first communication route, and a device monitoring unit that is connected so as to be able to communicate with the field device through a second communication route are provided, wherein the device monitoring unit is provided with a checking tool for checking a status of the field device and the status of communication through the first and/or the second communication routes, based on a response received through the second communication route from the field device in response to a signal sent through either the first communication route or the second communication route.