Field Device Data Exchange Using Brokered Request-Response Messaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The publish-subscribe communication principle used in field devices does not allow for active information retrieval from other devices, limiting their ability to request data directly.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a request-response mechanism within the publish-subscribe principle by using unique field device identifiers and specific message titles to enable direct communication between requesting and responding field devices, allowing them to exchange data based on request-response principles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the publish-subscribe principle is used for communication between field devices, then devices can participate in communication without knowledge of network structure, but devices cannot actively request information from other devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the data broker universal by enabling it to handle both traditional publish-subscribe messages and request-response messages through a unified subscription mechanism. Field devices can subscribe to request messages with their own identifiers, allowing the data broker to route both types of communication through the same infrastructure, thus adding request-response capability without compromising the existing publish-subscribe functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If field devices use unique identifiers and subscribe to request messages, then active information retrieval is enabled, but message routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data broker serves as an intermediary that simplifies message routing by handling the complexity of matching request messages with responding devices. Instead of implementing complex routing logic in each field device, the broker uses subscription-based routing where devices simply subscribe to messages containing their identifiers, and the broker automatically routes requests and responses through the publish-subscribe infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for exchanging data between several field devices includes: implementing an exchange of data between a requesting field device and a responding field device using a publish-subscribe principle; subscribing the responding field device to request messages whose message titles include a specification of a field device identifier of the responding field device; subscribing the requesting field device to response messages whose message titles include a request identifier known to the requesting field device; the requesting field device publishing a request message to a data broker, the message title of the request message including the request identifier and the specification; the responding field device receiving the request message, evaluating the request message, and publishing a corresponding response message to the data broker, the message title of the response message including the request identifier; and the requesting field device receiving the response message based on the subscription to the response message.