Gateway Devices for Cloud Plant Control Responsiveness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plant control systems that incorporate cloud environments face challenges in meeting high responsiveness and functionality demands due to VPN processing overhead, limitations in using multicast and broadcast communication, and increased manual effort in network settings as the system scale grows.
Innovation Solution
A control system configuration that includes dedicated gateway devices in both cloud and on-premises environments, utilizing a proprietary protocol for communication between cloud and local control networks, enabling multicast and broadcast communication within the control virtual network and reducing VPN overhead, with automated network setting for new virtual machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional VPN technologies are used to connect cloud and local networks, then basic connectivity is achieved, but communication responsiveness deteriorates due to processing overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dedicated gateway devices as intermediaries between the cloud virtual network and local control network. These gateways handle protocol conversion and data transmission, eliminating the need for complex VPN processing while maintaining secure connectivity. The gateway acts as a mediator that simplifies the communication path and reduces processing overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the communication protocol parameters by using a proprietary protocol instead of standard VPN protocols. This protocol optimization reduces processing overhead and improves communication responsiveness by adjusting data transmission parameters to be more efficient for control systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard network protocols are used in cloud environments, then general compatibility is maintained, but multicast and broadcast communication capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing multicast and broadcast communication capabilities specifically within the control virtual network segment, while maintaining standard protocols for external communication. The control virtual network is configured with specialized properties to enable group communication, while other parts of the system use conventional protocols.
3Extent of automation
If manual network settings are performed for each virtual machine, then configuration accuracy is maintained, but management effort increases as system scale grows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling virtual machines to automatically configure their network settings when joined to the control virtual network. The gateway device automatically assigns IP addresses, routing information, and other network parameters, eliminating manual configuration efforts and reducing management complexity as the system scales.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring network settings and policies in the control virtual network before virtual machines are deployed. The gateway device prepares routing tables, security rules, and communication protocols in advance, so that when new virtual machines join the network, they automatically inherit the configured settings without requiring manual setup.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cloud virtual networks are used for plant control, then resource virtualization and flexibility are improved, but system availability may be compromised due to network complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the control virtual network from the general cloud virtual network. The control virtual network is isolated as a dedicated segment with dedicated gateway devices, ensuring that control traffic is not affected by other cloud operations. This segmentation maintains resource virtualization benefits while improving system reliability and availability for critical control functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control system (1) includes: a first gateway device (100; 100a) including: a virtual switch processor (113) configured to connect a cloud virtual network (10) to a wide area network and configure a control virtual network (30) within the cloud virtual network (10), and a first protocol converter (114) configured to be connected to the wide area network and convert communication data received from the cloud virtual network (10) based on a proprietary protocol; and a second gateway device (200) including: a second protocol converter (214) configured to connect a local control network (20) to the wide area network and decode the communication data received via the wide area network and converted by the first gateway device (100; 100a).