Industrial Data Integration via Hot-Swappable Protocol Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial data integration is hindered by the diversity of data exchange protocol interfaces among equipment, making it difficult for upper business layers to collect and analyze data from various devices, especially those with non-standardized protocols, leading to sub-optimal decision-making and high costs for adaptation or replacement.
Innovation Solution
An industrial data integration device and method that includes interaction modules for both standard and non-standard protocols, a life cycle management module, service discovery module, and authentication module, enabling registration and provision of services via a Web server, which shields heterogeneity and supports online hot updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is collected from devices with non-standardized protocols using proprietary interface protocols, then data collection from specific equipment is achieved, but the upper business layer cannot understand and develop all data exchange protocol interfaces to interact with various bottom devices, leading to sub-optimal decision-making
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an interaction module as an intermediary component between the upper business layer and diverse industrial field devices. This module provides unified service interfaces that abstract away protocol-specific details, enabling the upper layer to access data from devices using different protocols (standard or nonstandard) without needing to understand each protocol individually. The interaction module translates various device protocols into a unified service interface format.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the upper business layer makes dynamic changes to adapt to new protocol interfaces, then adaptability to new equipment is improved, but the effort and cost to keep changing is huge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into distinct functional modules: interaction modules that handle protocol-specific communication and a service providing module that offers unified interfaces. Each interaction module is independently developed and managed for specific device types. When new devices are added, only the corresponding interaction module needs to be updated or added, not the entire system, thereby reducing the complexity and cost of adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic loading and unloading of interaction modules based on device connection status. Interaction modules are loaded when devices are connected and unloaded when disconnected, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to changing device configurations without requiring manual reconfiguration or system-wide changes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a standardized wrapper such as OPC UA wrapper is added on the device, then interoperability with standardized systems is achieved, but it requires the equipment to allow the addition of a wrapper which is usually impossible to change in existing equipment
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying existing devices to add standardized wrappers, the patent places an intermediary interaction module on the data collection side that handles protocol translation. This approach eliminates the need to physically modify or add hardware wrappers to legacy devices, as the translation is performed by the interaction module that interfaces with the device through its existing (even proprietary) protocol.
4Adaptability or versatility
If devices with non-standardized interface protocols are replaced with smart devices that support OPC UA standard, then standardized interface support is improved, but the cost is very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy or representation of the device's communication interface through the interaction module. Instead of replacing physical devices, the interaction module replicates the device's proprietary protocol interface and translates it to standardized interfaces, providing the same functionality as a standardized device would without the high replacement cost.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the teachings herein include an industrial data integration device. An example device includes: a first interaction module to interact with a first industrial field device based on a non-standard protocol; a life cycle management module to manage a life cycle of the first interaction module; and a service discovery module to discover a first service provided by the first interaction module. The first service is related to an interaction between the first interaction module and the first industrial field device.