Module Template System for Process Control Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current process control systems require significant engineering effort and memory resources due to the need for extensive module templates that include all possible components and parameters, leading to inefficient configuration and memory usage, as well as a 'what you see is what you get' limitation where unnecessary features are retained in module instances.
Innovation Solution
A module template system that allows for selective component inclusion, with optional and non-optional components, enabling users to customize module instances by selecting only necessary components and parameters, and includes a user interface for defining and managing these templates, allowing for efficient configuration and memory optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If extensive module templates including all possible components and parameters are used, then the system provides complete functionality and versatility, but the configuration engineering effort and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The module template is segmented into mandatory components and optional components. Mandatory components are always included in module instances, while optional components can be selectively included or excluded. This segmentation allows the template to provide complete functionality when needed while enabling streamlined configuration when full functionality is not required, thereby reducing configuration engineering effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The module template structure is made dynamic by allowing different configurations of optional components. The template can adapt its composition based on specific application requirements, enabling users to include or exclude optional components as needed. This dynamic approach provides versatility for different scenarios while reducing the time required for configuration by only including necessary components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extensive module templates including all possible components and parameters are used, then the system provides complete functionality, but the memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
Optional components are extracted from the core module template structure, allowing them to be selectively included or excluded. This extraction enables the system to maintain complete functionality in the template definition while using minimal memory in actual module instances, as only the necessary mandatory components and selected optional components are instantiated.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the module template have different properties: mandatory components are always present with full functionality, while optional components can be selectively activated. This local quality approach allows the system to provide complete functionality where needed while optimizing memory usage by excluding unnecessary components from module instances.
3Adaptability or versatility
If module templates include all possible components and parameters, then the system maintains comprehensive features, but the configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration process is segmented into two clear categories: mandatory components that are always included and optional components that can be selectively chosen. This segmentation simplifies the configuration complexity by providing a clear structure, while the template maintains feature completeness through the optional components that can be activated based on specific needs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If all components are retained in module instances, then the system maintains flexibility for future modifications, but the current configuration efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The module instance structure is made dynamic by allowing optional components to be selectively included or excluded based on current needs. This dynamic approach improves configuration efficiency by only including necessary components, while the template definition retains all possible components for future modifications if needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method in a computer system for developing a process control strategy includes providing a module template having a first plurality of components and being associated with a control operation, receiving a selection of one or more of the first plurality of components of the module template, generating an instance of a module based on the module template, including instantiating only the selected one or more of the first plurality of components, and associating the generated instance of the module with the process control strategy.