Networked Control System Dynamic Device Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional Networked Control Systems (NCS) face challenges in handling dynamic network topological structures and lack error tolerance due to fixed connections between sensors and actuators, leading to poor mobility and susceptibility to failures.

Innovation Solution

A hierarchical networked control system with a device manager and controllers that dynamically adjust control loops based on device information and matching rules, allowing for flexible network reconfiguration and fault tolerance by identifying and replacing faulty devices with compatible alternatives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If fixed connections between sensors and actuators are used in traditional NCS, then system stability is maintained, but network flexibility and mobility performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidnetwork flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control loops where controllers can be dynamically assigned to different sensor-actuator pairs based on real-time network conditions and device availability. The controller dynamically adjusts control loop configurations when devices access or exit the network, transforming the static fixed-connection architecture into a dynamic reconfigurable system that maintains stability while adapting to topological changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If traditional fixed NCS architecture is used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but error-allowance performance and fault tolerance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoiderror-allowance performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-configures multiple potential control loops with alternative sensor-actuator pairings before faults occur. When a device failure is detected, the system can immediately switch to a pre-prepared alternative control loop, providing fault tolerance without requiring complex real-time reconfiguration logic. This preliminary preparation enables error allowance while maintaining implementation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic device access and exit is allowed in wireless sensor and actuator networks, then network mobility is improved, but control loop maintenance difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork mobilityVSAvoidcontrol loop maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where controllers continuously monitor the status of sensors and actuators in the network. When device access or exit is detected, the controller receives feedback about the topological change and automatically adjusts control loop configurations. This closed-loop feedback approach simplifies maintenance by providing real-time information about network changes, enabling automatic adaptation without complex manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2982096B1Method, apparatus and system for matching devices
Publication Date: 2018.06.20 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP2982096B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2982096B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2982096B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An objective of the present invention is to provide a method, apparatus and system for matching devices. The method according to the present invention comprises: obtaining device-related information corresponding to a plurality of devices from the device manager, selecting, for each first device, a second device matching the said each first device from among the said at least one second device based on device-related information of the each device; determining corresponding device matching information based on the second devices matching the each first device, and sending the said device matching information to the at least one second controller; wherein the device matching information comprises one or more pairs of matching first device and second device. The present invention has the following advantages: the networked control system has a higher flexibility and can better handle the current dynamic network topological structure; additionally, the whole networked control system has a higher error-allowance performance.