Cloud Gateway Configuration Plans for Flexible Field Device Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current monitoring systems for industrial automation technology lack flexibility and automatic updating capabilities, particularly when new field devices are added or reconfigured, as they rely on locally stored information and do not support remote configuration or manufacturer-specific diagnostic data retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A cloud gateway that automatically recognizes and downloads device descriptions for connected field devices, supports multiple communication networks, and allows for remote configuration and updating, enabling 'plug and play' functionality and flexible monitoring without operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If monitoring systems use locally stored information about field devices, then the system can operate independently, but the system lacks flexibility when new field devices are added or reconfigured
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system automatically retrieves device descriptions from a server when new field devices are detected, eliminating the need for manual updates. The system self-configures by communicating with the server to obtain necessary device information, making it adaptable to new devices without operator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
Device descriptions are pre-stored on a server before field devices are deployed. When new field devices are added to the monitoring system, the system can immediately retrieve their descriptions from the server without requiring manual configuration or system updates.
2Loss of information
If monitoring systems store all field device information locally, then the system is self-sufficient, but the system cannot retrieve manufacturer-specific diagnostic data
Solution Approach 1:
A server acts as an intermediary between the monitoring system and field devices. The server stores comprehensive device descriptions including manufacturer-specific diagnostic data, and the monitoring system retrieves this information through communication with the server, combining local operation with remote information access.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the monitoring system is updated to recognize new field devices, then the system becomes more adaptable, but the system requires operator intervention and system downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system automatically detects new field devices and retrieves their descriptions from the server without operator intervention. The system self-updates its device database by communicating with the server, maintaining continuous operation while adapting to new devices.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the monitoring system supports multiple communication networks, then the system becomes more versatile, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is designed with universal communication capabilities to support multiple fieldbus protocols and communication networks. A single system can interface with different communication standards through standardized mechanisms, reducing the need for multiple specialized systems while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for monitoring an automated facility (A), a plurality of field appliances (F1, F2, F3, F4) being incorporated into the facility (A), said method comprising: connecting a cloud gateway (CG) to the first communication network (KN1) of the facility (A); determining the field appliances (F1, F2, F3, F4) connected to the first communication network (KN1); checking whether, for at least some of the determined field appliances (F1, F2, F3, F4), appliance descriptions corresponding to the determined field appliances (F1, F2, F3, F4) are available on a server (SE) connected to the cloud gateway (CG) by means of a second communication network (KN2); downloading the appliance descriptions corresponding to the respective determined field appliances (F1, F2, F3, F4) from the server (SE) and installing the appliance descriptions on the cloud gateway (CG); creating at least one configuration plan (KP) by means of the server (SE), the configuration plan (KP) defining at least one field appliance (F1, F2, F3, F4) to be solicited, the type of data solicited from the field appliance (F1, F2, F3, F4) and the frequency at which the data is solicited for each individual field appliance (F1, F2, F3, F4) to be solicited; transmitting the configuration plan (KP) to the cloud gateway (CG); soliciting the data from the field appliances (F1, F2, F3, F4) to be solicited by means of the cloud gateway (CG) according to the configuration plan (KP) found on the cloud gateway; transmitting the solicited data to the server (SE) via the cloud gateway (CG); and collecting and evaluating the transmitted data on the server (SE). The invention also relates to a cloud gateway (G) for carrying out the method according to the invention.