IEC 61850 Communication Analysis via Graphical IED Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-scale industrial process control systems, particularly Substation Automation systems, face challenges in analyzing communication disruptions and diagnosing malfunctions due to complex message flows and engineering errors, especially with increased real-time critical data and numerous Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), making it difficult to verify data flow consistency and anticipate the consequences of errors or failures.
Innovation Solution
A method to analyze communication configurations by evaluating every network message across an Ethernet switch-based network, generating a graphical representation that displays process-related operational aspects of each IED, allowing users to easily identify the consequences of IED failures or engineering errors on other IEDs and the controlled process, using a formal configuration representation and grouping IEDs by operational aspects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of IEDs and real-time critical data increases, then the system capability and functionality are improved, but the communication network complexity and difficulty of detecting malfunctions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication network analysis by grouping IEDs according to their operational aspects (e.g., voltage level, bay level, station level). This segmentation allows the complex network to be analyzed in manageable sections, making it easier to detect malfunctions and understand data flow relationships between specific groups of devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a graphical representation as an intermediary tool that visualizes the communication network structure and data flow relationships. This graphical intermediary makes the complex network configuration visible and understandable, enabling users to easily identify malfunctions and analyze communication paths without directly navigating the complex network structure.
2Loss of information
If the number of network messages and data flow increases, then the information completeness is improved, but the verification of data flow consistency becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a graphical copy or representation of the communication network configuration that mirrors the actual network structure. This graphical copy includes all message flows and data paths, allowing users to verify information completeness and consistency by examining the visual representation rather than navigating through complex configuration files.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a textual or tabular representation of network messages to a graphical dimension. This dimensional change allows complex message flows and data relationships to be visualized spatially, making it easier to verify consistency and completeness by observing the graphical structure rather than parsing text-based configurations.
3Area of stationary object
If the communication network is expanded to cover more bays and devices, then the system coverage is improved, but the analysis of communication disruptions becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the expanded communication network into hierarchical levels (station level, bay level, process level) and groups IEDs by operational aspects. This segmentation allows the large-scale network to be analyzed systematically by examining relationships within and between segments, making disruption analysis manageable even across extensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical representation serves as an intermediary that visualizes the expanded network coverage and message flow relationships across multiple bays and devices. This visual intermediary enables users to analyze communication disruptions in the large-scale network by observing the graphical structure, which reveals relationships and potential failure points that would be difficult to detect in a text-based configuration.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to the present invention, every network message configured for transmission from a sender to a receiver IED across an Ethernet switch-based communication network of a PC or SA system is evaluated, and a graphical representation respective of process related operational aspects of each IED involved is generated and displayed. From a logical data flow description that is part of a formal configuration representation of the PC or SA system, sender and receiver IEDs are retrieved or determined. Likewise, a single one out of a plurality of operational aspect of the process is retrieved for each IED from the formal configuration description. Generating the graphical representation of the system includes forming groups of IEDs with identical operational aspects. For each group of IEDs, the respective operational aspect is indicated or displayed, in the form of a label or tag, along with, or otherwise linked to, the group. As a consequence, a user may easily analyse the communication configuration of the system by looking at the generated graphical representation and determine, at a single glance, the consequences of IED failures or engineering errors on other IEDs and/or on the controlled and protected process.