Field Device Setting System for Exchange Without Engineering
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Solution Overview
Problem
In process control systems, the exchange of field devices requires engineering by system engineers, leading to reduced production efficiency due to the need for predefined authority and the inability of operating or maintenance staff to perform settings without external assistance, often resulting in prolonged downtime.
Innovation Solution
A setting system comprising an engineering terminal and a setting device that generates and downloads setting data in a second format, allowing physical addresses to be associated with device parameters, enabling field device exchange without the need for system engineer intervention, by using a database that stores setting data in a first format with identification information and device configuration information to convert it into a second format for physical address association.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If field device exchange is performed without system engineer intervention, then productivity is improved, but reliability may worsen due to lack of authoritative settings
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating and storing appropriate setting data in the database before field device exchange occurs. The setting data generation unit creates setting data in the first format and stores it in advance, so when exchange is needed, operating staff can immediately download and apply the pre-prepared settings without requiring system engineer intervention, thus maintaining both speed and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The setting data generation unit acts as an intermediary between the database and the field device. It automatically converts setting data from the first format (stored in database) to the second format (applicable to field device), and downloads it to the field device. This intermediary process ensures that even without system engineer intervention, the settings are transformed and applied accurately and reliably
2Adaptability or versatility
If setting data is stored in first format with identification information, then adaptability is improved for different field devices, but device complexity increases due to format conversion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The setting data generation unit changes parameters by automatically converting setting data from the first format (with identification information for database storage) to the second format (with physical address information for field device application). This parameter transformation enables the system to store universal, adaptable setting data in the database while automatically adapting it to specific field devices during the download process, maintaining versatility without requiring complex manual configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A setting system 1 includes a device configuration database DB1 that stores setting data in a first format in which a device parameter to be set to a field device 11 and identification information that logically identifies the device parameter are associated, and for which authority prescribed in advance is required in order to change the stored data, and in which, using device configuration information specifying the physical structure of the field device 11 and the setting data in the first format obtained by reference to the database DB1, setting data is generated in a second format in which physical information specifying the physical address at which the device parameter is to be set is associated with the device parameter, and is set to the field device. According to this setting system, it is possible to perform exchange of a field device without any requirement for engineering by a system engineer, thereby avoiding a device in production efficiency.