Industrial DSL Programming in a Unified Automation IDE
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face challenges in integrated programming and configuration due to the need for separate development environments and tools for different aspects of the system, leading to piecemeal design and significant testing and debugging efforts, with limited user interfaces that restrict programming flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An integrated development environment (IDE) is provided that uses a domain-specific language (DSL) for industrial control programming, allowing for integrated, multi-discipline programming of control, visualization, and other aspects of industrial automation systems, featuring a user interface component, DSL editor, project generation, and deployment components to create and execute hierarchical models of industrial control code.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate development environments and tools are used for different aspects of industrial automation systems, then each aspect can be developed with specialized tools, but the overall system integration becomes complex and requires significant testing and debugging efforts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate development environments and tools into a single integrated development environment (IDE) that can handle control programming, visualization, and configuration tasks. This consolidation eliminates the need for switching between disparate tools and reduces integration complexity by providing a unified platform for developing entire automation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The IDE is designed with multi-functionality to perform diverse tasks including control code development, visualization programming, system configuration, and debugging within a single environment. This universal approach allows the same tool to serve multiple purposes across different aspects of automation system development, reducing the need for specialized separate tools.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate development environments are used for different aspects of the system, then each tool can be optimized for its specific purpose, but development time increases due to piecemeal design and extensive testing
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple development functions into one IDE, the patent enables simultaneous development of control, visualization, and configuration aspects without the time loss associated with switching between tools. The integrated environment allows developers to work on multiple system aspects in coordination, reducing overall development time.
Solution Approach 2:
The IDE incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms including syntax checking, error detection, and validation during the development process. This immediate feedback reduces debugging time by identifying issues early rather than requiring extensive testing after completion, thereby reducing overall development time while maintaining tool specialization benefits.
3Ease of operation
If traditional programming interfaces are used, then implementation is straightforward, but programming flexibility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The IDE provides a dynamic programming interface that adapts to user needs and project requirements. The interface can be customized and configured to provide different levels of abstraction and control, allowing users to switch between simple and advanced programming modes as needed, thereby maintaining ease of operation while enhancing programming flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An industrial IDE supports development of control programming using an industrial domain-specific language (DSL) that allows control programming to be written using a scripted programming language having features catered to the industrial domain. The industrial DSL can simplify and streamline development of industrial control code relative to using conventional graphics-based control programming formats such as ladder logic, since a script-based industrial DSL can be used to write programming code using fewer mouse clicks relative to traditional control programming environments. Editing tools inherent to the industrial DSL can provide dynamic programming feedback that guides the developer through the process of developing control code. The industrial IDE can also provide tools that extend the platform to users who wish to customize the industrial DSL to suit their preferred programming approaches.