Network Edge Device for Remote Asset Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oil and gas production assets often operate in remote locations with limited or no network communications infrastructure, making data retrieval and remote control of operational assets challenging due to lack of reliable network connectivity and local intelligence.
Innovation Solution
A configurable network edge device is introduced to interface between backend networks and operational assets, allowing for agnostic communication protocols, enabling real-time monitoring and control while minimizing network latency and resource usage. This device can operate in various modes, including autonomous control, and is remotely upgradable with location detection and power-saving features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If operational assets rely on backend network for data gathering and control operations, then network infrastructure is required, but network connectivity is unreliable or unavailable in remote locations
Solution Approach 1:
A network edge device is introduced as an intermediary between operational assets and backend networks. This device provides local intelligence and processing capabilities at the edge of the network, enabling data gathering, processing, and control operations to occur locally without requiring continuous connectivity to the backend network. The edge device can buffer data and execute control decisions autonomously when network connectivity is unavailable, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable data retrieval and network infrastructure availability.
2Loss of information
If data is transmitted continuously from operational assets to backend network, then data availability is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network edge device performs selective data processing and filtering, transmitting only essential or processed data to the backend network rather than all raw data from operational assets. This partial action approach ensures data availability for critical information while significantly reducing network bandwidth consumption by eliminating redundant or non-critical data transmissions.
3Extent of automation
If operational assets have local intelligence, then autonomous operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system architecture is segmented into multiple components: operational assets, network edge device, and backend network. Local intelligence is concentrated in the network edge device rather than being distributed to each operational asset. This segmentation allows autonomous operation capabilities to be implemented at the edge level while keeping individual asset devices simple, thereby improving automation without excessively increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium for configuring a network edge device for communicating between an operational asset and a backend network that include the actions of establishing communication with a backend network through a first network connection. Establishing communication with a user computing device through a second, different network connection. Receiving an asset template that identifies communication protocols of the backend network and communication protocols of an operational asset to which the network edge device is coupled. Sending registration data to the backend network to register the network edge device and the operational asset with the backend network in response to receiving an instruction from the user computing device.