Field Device Self-Identification for Asset Inventory Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Field devices in industrial plants often have ambiguously assigned identification information, leading to inconsistencies in asset management systems, which can result in incorrect device association and tracking, rendering the asset management system valueless and potentially causing incorrect actions.
Innovation Solution
A method that connects a processing unit to a communication network, reads out field device identification information, performs a consistency check, and outputs a notification for action if discrepancies are found, allowing for unique identification and automatic entry of field devices into the asset management system, ensuring accurate tracking and reducing operator errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If field devices are manually recorded or data is taken from planning phase, then asset management system can be set up quickly, but identification information may be ambiguous or incorrect leading to inconsistent device tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The field device automatically provides its own identification information (serial number, device name, I/O image name) through self-identification protocols when queried by the processing unit. This eliminates manual data entry and ensures the data comes directly from the device itself, resolving the contradiction between quick setup and accurate identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (physical reading of type plates, manual data entry) with electronic automated processes. The processing unit electronically queries field devices and automatically extracts identification information, substituting human operators with automated electronic data collection that is both fast and accurate.
2Measurement precision
If automated data acquisition from field devices is implemented, then identification accuracy is improved, but system complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The processing unit serves multiple functions: it acts as a query interface to field devices, a data collection point, a consistency check engine, and an interface to the asset management system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated consistency checks where the processing unit verifies whether acquired identification data already exists in the asset management system. This feedback mechanism automatically detects and prevents duplicate or inconsistent entries, improving accuracy without requiring complex manual verification procedures.
3Reliability
If consistency checks are performed for every field device, then data accuracy is maintained, but processing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs consistency checks automatically during the initial data acquisition phase from field devices. By conducting verification beforehand rather than during subsequent manual operations, the system ensures data consistency is established upfront, preventing future errors without adding time to ongoing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for verifying field device inventory includes connecting a processing unit to a network; reading the address space of the network using the processing unit to generate a list of field devices contained in the address space; establishing communication between the processing unit and a field device contained in the list; reading out identification information of the field device using the processing unit, the identification and a characteristic parameter of the field device; carrying out a consistency check, a negative result being achieved if a field device is already entered under the serial number that has been read out; checking, if a negative result, whether a characteristic parameter of the field device corresponds with the characteristic parameter that has been read out; and outputting a notification using the processing unit that a characteristic parameter assigned to the field device deviates from the parameter that has been read out.