Industrial Function Module Interface for External Function Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Function Modules (FM) concept in industrial process environments lacks the ability to integrate advanced functionalities such as history and information management, trending, asset, and condition monitoring, necessitating a connecting interface to add external functions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A connecting interface is provided for function modules and instances, enabling the integration of external functions by creating an external function module that contains interface information, allowing for the addition of advanced functionalities like asset monitoring and condition monitoring, and ensuring compatibility with orchestration designers through standardized and extensible interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If external functions are added to Function Modules to provide advanced functionality, then operational capabilities are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Advanced functionalities are segmented into separate external function modules that connect to the core FM through a standardized interface. This segmentation allows the core FM to remain simple while operational capabilities are extended through modular additions, preventing complexity from propagating throughout the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting interface is designed as a universal interface that can connect various types of external functions (history management, trending, asset monitoring, condition monitoring) to different Function Modules. This multi-functionality allows a single interface design to support multiple operational capabilities without increasing the complexity of individual connection implementations.
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting interface for a function module and/or function module instance in an industrial process environment for connecting an external function to the function module and/or function module instance, The function module and/or function module instance including definitions according to which the industrial process is operated, and the connecting interface containing information to create an external function module containing the external function by which the external functions can be added to the function module and/or function module instance.