IIoT Agent Gateway for Reliable Cloud-Reconfigurable SCADA
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional SCADA systems and PLCs are more reliable than IIoT solutions due to concerns about signal reliability and safety in industrial processes, limiting the complete replacement of SCADA systems with IIoT, and existing data-node SCADA solutions struggle with interoperability, scalability, and centralized control.
Innovation Solution
An IIoT agent module or device that acts as a SCADA data node, operatively coupled with an IIoT cloud platform, allowing dynamic reconfiguration and machine learning-based control, ensuring accurate signal communication, scalability, and centralized control, while integrating with field devices and PLCs for supervisory control and data acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional SCADA systems are used, then reliability and safety are maintained, but interoperability and scalability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an IIoT gateway device as an intermediary component that bridges traditional SCADA systems and IIoT cloud platforms. The gateway maintains reliable local communication with PLCs and field devices using proven industrial protocols while simultaneously enabling cloud connectivity through standard Internet protocols. This mediator architecture allows traditional SCADA systems to achieve IIoT interoperability without compromising their inherent reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into three distinct layers: the field device layer (PLCs, sensors), the gateway layer (IIoT agent device), and the cloud layer (IIoT platform). This segmentation allows each layer to operate independently with optimized characteristics - the field layer maintains reliability through proven industrial protocols, the gateway provides adaptability through protocol translation and edge computing, and the cloud enables scalability through centralized management and analytics
2Adaptability or versatility
If cloud-based control is implemented, then scalability is improved, but signal reliability and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The IIoT gateway device performs preliminary actions by pre-processing data locally, caching critical information, and maintaining local control capabilities. The gateway can operate autonomously when cloud connectivity is unavailable, executing pre-configured control logic and maintaining process stability. This preliminary preparation ensures that scalability benefits are achieved without compromising signal reliability or response time
3Ease of operation
If centralized cloud control is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts complex functions such as data analytics, machine learning model training, and system-wide optimization to the cloud platform, while the local gateway device maintains a simplified configuration. The gateway executes only the essential control logic locally and uploads processed data to the cloud for advanced analytics. This extraction reduces local device complexity while preserving centralized control capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
An Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) agent module or device preferably used as or in place of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) data node system and/or conventional SCADA system, which is operatively coupled and in communication with an IIoT cloud platform, so as to perform control and data acquisition operations and exchange data and commands automatically or in response to Inputs from the IIoT cloud platform; wherein all production details/settings/parameters, including process logic, control methodology, product recipe, and data point setup, can be dynamically changed based on decision/input/command of the IIoT cloud platform, such that the IIoT cloud platform might completely “re-configure/re-program” a software portion of the IIoT agent module or device governing its working behavior or characteristics by sending a reconfiguration/reprogramming information.