Industrial Network ID Commissioning With Automatic Static Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for associating network identifiers with industrial automation devices are error-prone and require significant human capital and computing resources, especially in large systems, where manual assignment of network addresses is tedious and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for autonomously generating and assigning static network identifiers to devices during the commissioning process, allowing devices to maintain consistent communication by switching to a static assignment mode after initial dynamic or automatic assignment, reducing errors and resource requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual assignment of network addresses is used, then flexibility in device configuration is maintained, but error rate increases and human capital requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device autonomously obtains its network address by broadcasting a request and receiving an automatic response from a controller, eliminating the need for manual configuration. The device self-configures its network identifier through the automated commissioning process, reducing both error rate and manual effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller pre-generates and stores a mapping between device identifiers and network addresses before the device connects. When the device broadcasts its identifier, the controller can immediately assign the pre-prepared network address, streamlining the commissioning process and reducing errors.
2Productivity
If manual construction of network identifier tables is used, then customization of device descriptions is possible, but time consumption increases and error probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical process of constructing and updating network identifier tables is replaced with an automated electronic system. The controller automatically receives device identifiers, retrieves corresponding network addresses from its database, and assigns them programmatically, eliminating transcription errors and accelerating commissioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the device broadcasts its identifier, the controller receives this information, automatically assigns the corresponding network address, and confirms the assignment. This closed-loop process ensures accurate matching between device identifiers and network addresses while speeding up the process.
3Productivity
If dynamic or automatic assignment mode is used initially, then device can obtain network ID quickly, but communication consistency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The controller pre-generates static network addresses and stores them in a database mapped to device identifiers before devices connect. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly assign consistent, predetermined network addresses during commissioning, ensuring both speed and communication stability throughout the device lifecycle.
Data Source
AI summary
To facilitate the commissioning of network identifiers (network IDs), an ordered list comprising network ID's associated with devices of an industrial automation process may be generated and stored. Based at least on the ordered list, a network ID may be identified. A prompt may be generated and displayed, the prompt comprising a notification to power-off one or more devices. Another prompt may be generated and displayed, the prompt comprising a notification to power-on a single device of the industrial automation process. In response to receiving a network-identifier request from the single device, a device identifier may be identified for the single device and stored in a list. A response comprising the network ID and a command to change the assignment mode of the device is autonomously generated and transmitted to the single device, which subsequently stores the network ID changes its mode.