Logical Address Mapping for Networked Control Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional networked control systems face complexity and inflexibility due to the use of physical device addresses, requiring dedicated logic design and reprogramming for each network instance, and are prone to errors during setup and maintenance, especially when non-technical personnel are involved. Additionally, physical addresses are often numerical and user-unreadable, making them difficult to manage and maintain.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of logical addresses that include device location, type, owner, function, and manufacturer in a user-readable format, allowing for a mapping from logical to physical addresses, enabling flexible and user-friendly control logic design and maintenance, independent of physical installations and underlying transport technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical device addresses are used for networked control systems, then device identification is achieved, but system complexity and inflexibility increase requiring dedicated logic design and reprogramming for each network instance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces logical addresses as an intermediary layer between control logic and physical device addresses. The translation mechanism acts as a mediator that converts logical addresses (used in control logic) into physical device addresses (used for actual device communication), thereby decoupling the control system from physical installation details and reducing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the addressing system into two distinct layers: logical addresses for control logic design and physical device addresses for actual device identification. This segmentation allows each layer to operate independently, with the translation mechanism bridging them, thereby reducing the complexity burden on control logic design
2Loss of information
If physical device addresses are used, then device location and type information can be stored, but user readability and understandability decrease making management and maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a logical copy of device identification information that is human-readable and meaningful, distinct from the physical device address. The logical address serves as a readable representation or copy of the device's identity, while the physical address retains its technical function for actual device communication
3Reliability
If physical device addresses are used, then network communication is established, but adaptability and flexibility decrease requiring reprogramming when devices are added or replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic address translation where the mapping between logical and physical addresses can be updated without changing control logic. When devices are added, removed, or replaced, only the translation table needs updating, not the control logic itself, thereby providing adaptability and flexibility
4Reliability
If physical device addresses are used, then device identification is achieved, but error-proneness increases during setup and maintenance especially when non-technical personnel are involved
Solution Approach 1:
The translation mechanism serves as a protective intermediary that shields non-technical personnel from dealing with complex physical addresses. Users interact with intuitive logical addresses during setup and maintenance, while the translation mechanism handles the complexity of physical address mapping in the background
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A networked control system (100) includes a plurality of devices connected to a network. At least one device (120) has a logical address that includes a device location in an environment and at least one of a device type, a device owner, an intended device function and a device feature and a device manufacturer of the at least one device. The control logic for the at least one device (120) is designed and executed using the logical address, whereby the execution is performed by a processor (110). The processor is further configured to maintain a mapping from the logical address to a physical network address of the at least one device (120) and execute control logic using the logical address.