Field Device Parameter Scheduling to Prevent Time Slot Overflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for scheduling parameter data retrieval in industrial control systems are inefficient, often leading to schedule overflow errors due to the allocation of early time slots for device parameters with high periodicity constraints, which prevents the scheduling of parameters with lower periodicity constraints and results in suboptimal utilization of available time slots.
Innovation Solution
The method involves parsing a scheduling table to identify available parameter retrieval sub-slots across a defined chronological period, using a base time and offset to select suitable time slots, and modifying these parameters to ensure that parameter retrieval events are spread evenly across the period, thereby avoiding overflow errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If parameter data retrieval is scheduled using existing methods that allocate early time slots to parameters with high periodicity constraints, then parameters with high periodicity constraints can be scheduled, but parameters with lower periodicity constraints cannot be scheduled and time slot utilization is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional scheduling approach by allocating time slots from the end of the chronological period backwards to the beginning, rather than from the beginning forward. This reversal allows parameters with lower periodicity constraints (which require more frequent retrieval) to occupy earlier time slots, while parameters with higher periodicity constraints (which require less frequent retrieval) are assigned to later time slots. This inversion resolves the contradiction by enabling both high and low periodicity parameters to be scheduled simultaneously without overflow errors, thereby improving both scheduling reliability and overall parameter retrieval efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If early time slots are allocated to parameters with high periodicity constraints, then high periodicity parameters can be scheduled, but the utilization of available time slots becomes suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
By reversing the allocation sequence to start from the end of the chronological period and move backwards, the system achieves better adaptability in accommodating diverse periodicity requirements. This inversion enables a greater quantity of parameters to be scheduled within the available time slots by optimally matching each parameter's periodicity constraint with an appropriate time slot, thereby resolving the contradiction between scheduling flexibility and the number of schedulable parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the field of industrial automation and process control systems. More specifically, the invention provides methods, systems and computer program products that optimize scheduling of parameter data retrieval from devices that are coupled with and controlled by a control system. In a particular embodiment, the invention provides methods, systems and computer programs for scheduled parameter data retrieval from one or more field devices implemented within a process control environment. In other embodiments, the invention additionally provides methods, systems and computer programs for retrievably storing a scheduling map for enabling scheduled parameter data retrieval from one or more field devices implemented within a process control environment.