Offline Field Device Configuration Using an OPC UA Server Twin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Field devices with embedded OPC UA servers cannot be configured when the servers are offline, posing a challenge in industrial settings where flexibility, security, and availability are crucial.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to create a digital twin of the OPC UA server by identifying and storing its parameter values in a separate storage medium, allowing configuration of field devices even when the server is offline, enabling offline configuration and synchronization upon reconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the OPC UA server is off-line, then the field device cannot be configured, but this reduces system availability and flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital twin (copy) of the OPC UA server that stores parameter values in a separate storage medium. This copy enables configuration operations to proceed even when the original server is offline, as the digital twin contains all necessary configuration data that can be utilized without real-time server connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating and storing the digital twin of the OPC UA server in advance. This preparation ensures that configuration data is already available in the storage medium before the server goes offline, enabling immediate offline configuration operations without waiting for server reconnection.
2Productivity
If parameters are stored in the original OPC UA server, then data consistency is maintained, but configuration cannot be performed when the server is off-line
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a digital twin copy of the OPC UA server and storing it in a separate storage medium, the system enables configuration operations to access parameter data without requiring the original server to be online. This copy mechanism decouples configuration productivity from server availability, allowing rapid configuration even when the server is offline.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital twin acts as an intermediary between the configuration system and the original OPC UA server. It mediates configuration operations by providing parameter data locally when the server is unavailable, eliminating the need for direct server connection and enabling continuous configuration productivity regardless of server status.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a digital twin is created and stored separately, then offline configuration is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The digital twin is created as a copy of the OPC UA server with essential parameter data stored in a separate storage medium. This copying approach enables offline configuration capability while keeping the implementation relatively simple, as it primarily involves data duplication and storage rather than complex system architecture changes.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method (100) of configuring a field device, the method comprising the steps of: - identifiying (110) an original Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture "OPC UA" server provided for a field device of the same type; - creating (120) a data set of values of parameters of the original OPC UA server; - storing (130) the created data set of the values of parameters of the original OPC UA server in a storage medium separate to the original OPC UA server; and - generating (140) a configuration for the field device comprising utilizing the created data set of the values of parameters of the original OPC UA server in the storage medium separate to the original OPC UA server.