Field Device Power Profiling for Deployable Function Configurations
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Solution Overview
Problem
The configuration of energy supply for field devices in automation engineering is complex and requires a more efficient, reliable, and flexible method to optimize their technical performance.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves activating an isolating amplifier to provide electrical input power to field devices, assessing available power, creating operating configurations, and determining power requirements based on predefined profiles, allowing for the selection of function profiles that optimize component usage and power management, even in complex automation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the field device is equipped with multiple components to provide multiple functions, then the functionality and versatility of the field device are improved, but the device complexity and power management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The field device is segmented into multiple independently controllable components, each with its own power consumption characteristics. The control unit divides the device into functional modules that can be individually activated or deactivated based on available power, allowing complex functionality to be managed through modular power allocation rather than treating the entire device as a monolithic unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating configuration of the field device is made dynamic rather than static. The control unit continuously monitors available power and automatically adjusts which components are active, creating a dynamic power management system that adapts to changing power conditions while maintaining optimal functionality.
2Productivity
If more functions are activated in the field device, then the utility and performance are improved, but the power consumption increases beyond available input power
Solution Approach 1:
A feedback mechanism is implemented where the control unit continuously monitors the available input power and compares it with the power requirements of active components. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the operating configuration to ensure that power consumption never exceeds available power supply, maintaining a balanced state between functionality and power usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between different operating configurations that have different power consumption profiles. When power availability changes, the control unit selects an appropriate configuration that matches the available power level, effectively adapting the device's functional output to the power input through parameter adjustment.
3Reliability
If manual configuration of power supply is performed, then precise power management is achieved, but the configuration time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The field device is equipped with self-service capabilities where the control unit automatically determines the optimal operating configuration based on monitored power availability. The system performs self-configuration without requiring manual intervention, automatically selecting which components to activate based on real-time power conditions, thus eliminating time-consuming manual configuration while maintaining reliable power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit pre-calculates and stores multiple operating configurations with different power consumption characteristics before runtime. When the device starts up or power conditions change, the system can quickly switch between pre-defined configurations rather than performing complex real-time calculations, reducing configuration time while ensuring reliable power management.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer program product, field device, higher-order control unit, automation system and method for operating a field device which includes a plurality of components, wherein the field device is supplied with electrical input power via an isolating amplifier, where the isolating amplifier is activated and an available electrical input power ascertained, a plurality of operating configurations having different compilation of functions of the field device is created respectively, one power requirement each is ascertained for each of the operating configurations in each case of at least one predefinable operating profile, deployable operating configurations and their associated operating profile, in which the respective power requirement is lower than the available electrical input power are ascertained and an associated function profile respectively is ascertained, and where the ascertained function profiles of the field device ascertained are provided for selection.