Field Device Web Access via PROFINET Communication Chip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Field device manufacturers face challenges in implementing web access due to the need for handling web servers and technologies, which is not their core competence, and existing solutions complicate access management and require additional computing power, while also facing issues with access conflicts and IPv4 to IPv6 transitions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves representing web access through an Industrial Ethernet interface, specifically a PROFINET interface, using an application interface for communication with a device application, where the PROFINET protocol stack handles communication between a web server and device application, and separate chips ensure that Industrial Ethernet communication does not affect the application, allowing for efficient parameter management and conflict resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a web server is implemented directly in the field device application, then web access functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases and computing resources are consumed by the application
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two independent parts: a communication chip containing the web server and Industrial Ethernet protocol stack, and a device application chip handling process control. This segmentation allows web access functionality to be added without increasing application complexity, as the web server resides entirely in the communication chip.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication chip acts as an intermediary between the web browser and the device application. It handles all web server operations and protocol conversions, mediating between TCP/IP-based web access and the device's native communication protocols without requiring the application to understand web technologies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device application directly handles web server communication, then web access is enabled, but access conflicts occur when PLC and web browser access simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The communication chip serves as an intermediary that manages all access requests. It implements the Industrial Ethernet protocol stack and handles protocol conversion between TCP/IP and PROFINET, mediating between web browser requests and PLC access without conflicts, as it maintains separate communication channels and access control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Communication channels are segmented into separate protocol stacks: TCP/IP for web access and PROFINET for industrial control. This segmentation allows simultaneous operation of web servers and PLC communications without interference, as each protocol stack operates independently in the communication chip.
3Adaptability or versatility
If web server functionality is integrated into the field device, then web access is provided, but additional computing power is required reducing resources for device application
Solution Approach 1:
The computing resources are segmented and allocated separately: the communication chip contains dedicated processing power for the web server and protocol stacks, while the device application chip retains full resources for process control. This segmentation allows web server functionality without consuming application computing power.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication chip acts as an intermediary that handles all computationally intensive web server operations and protocol conversions. By offloading these tasks from the application, the application retains full computing resources while still providing web access functionality through the communication chip's embedded web server.
4Adaptability or versatility
If field device manufacturers implement web access directly, then web functionality is achieved, but core competency requirements increase beyond manufacturing expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The communication chip serves as a pre-integrated intermediary solution that combines the web server, TCP/IP stack, and Industrial Ethernet protocol stack into a single standardized component. Manufacturers can integrate this chip without developing web server expertise, as the chip handles all web access complexity internally through its embedded application interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication chip provides universal web access functionality across different device applications through a standardized application interface. This multi-functional chip handles both industrial control communications and web server operations, allowing manufacturers to add web access capability without developing application-specific web interfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for accessing a field device (100') in order to simplify and/or improve web access to a field device. Said field device is connected to a field bus designed for an Industrial Ethernet protocol or ProfiNET, wherein the method comprises transmitting a request from a web browser (310) to a web server (110') implemented in the field device (100'), processing the received request in the field device (100') by using a protocol stack (120) of the Industrial Ethernet protocol, said protocol stack being stored in the field device (100'), and transmitting response information from the web server (110') to the web browser (310). The web server is contained in the communication chip (220) of the field device and both the communication with the controller (410) and the web server use the same ProfiNET stack (120). The invention further relates to a field device (100') designed to perform the method and to a communication chip (220).