Gateway Memory Optimization via CID File Filtering

Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial process control and automation systems face memory limitations in gateways due to the storage of full-size configured intelligent electronic device (IED) description (CID) files, restricting the number of IEDs that can be communicated with, leading to inefficient memory usage and increased costs for additional memory or multiple gateways.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a memory optimizer to filter and trim CID files, removing unnecessary information to generate selective and trimmed CID files, which are then used by the gateway to communicate with IEDs, optimizing memory utilization and allowing more IEDs to be connected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If full-size CID files are stored in the gateway, then communication with IEDs is enabled, but memory utilization is inefficient and the number of IEDs that can be communicated with is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of IEDs that can be communicated withVSAvoidmemory utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary information from full-size CID files by identifying and retaining only the logical nodes and data objects actually referenced by the gateway's communication configuration. Unreferenced portions are removed, creating a minimized CID file that reduces memory consumption while maintaining functional communication capability with the IEDs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the CID file into essential components (logical nodes and data objects needed for communication) and non-essential components (unreferenced data). By separating these segments and retaining only the necessary ones, the system achieves efficient memory utilization while preserving the ability to communicate with the required number of IEDs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If more IEDs are communicated with, then system coverage is improved, but memory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem coverageVSAvoidmemory requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary information from full-size CID files by identifying and retaining only the logical nodes and data objects actually referenced by the gateway's communication configuration. Unreferenced portions are removed, creating a minimized CID file that reduces memory consumption while maintaining functional communication capability with the IEDs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of CID file size by transforming full-size files into minimized versions that contain only essential communication data. This parameter change allows the gateway to store more IED descriptions in the same memory capacity, thereby increasing system coverage without proportionally increasing memory requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If additional memory or multiple gateways are deployed, then the number of IEDs that can be communicated with increases, but project costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of IEDs that can be communicated withVSAvoidproject costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary information from full-size CID files by identifying and retaining only the logical nodes and data objects actually referenced by the gateway's communication configuration. Unreferenced portions are removed, creating a minimized CID file that reduces memory consumption while maintaining functional communication capability with the IEDs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a cost-effective solution by processing CID files through a one-time optimization process that generates minimized versions suitable for gateway storage. This approach avoids the need for expensive additional hardware (more memory or multiple gateways) by efficiently utilizing existing memory resources through intelligent file processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10158715B2Method and apparatus for optimizing memory utilization in gateway of process control and automation system

Publication Date: 2018.12.18 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A method for optimizing memory utilization in a gateway of a process control and automation system is provided. The method includes obtaining, for a selected intelligent electronic device (IED), a configured IED description (CID) file associated with the selected IED. The CID file is filtered to generate a filtered CID file. The filtered CID file is provided to the gateway, which is configured to use the filtered CID file to communicate with the selected IED.