On-demand device templates for processing plant integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional static device templates in processing plants are inflexible, requiring new development efforts for integrating new devices, are not compatible with firmware upgrades, and do not allow for customization or utilization of extended device capabilities, limiting the integration of diverse controller controllable devices.
Innovation Solution
On-demand generation of customized device templates derived from device descriptions, which include physical and logical blocks, data formats, and communication protocols, allowing for integration of real CC devices with process controllers without firmware-based limitations, enabling customization and extension of device parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If static device templates are used for device integration, then device integration is standardized and reliable, but new devices require new development efforts and cannot be easily integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static device templates into dynamic on-demand generated templates. The system generates device templates dynamically at runtime based on device descriptions obtained from device vendors or devices themselves, eliminating the need for pre-built static templates for every device type. This dynamic generation approach allows the system to adapt to new devices without requiring development efforts or firmware updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables devices to provide their own descriptions (through EDS files or self-description capabilities), allowing the control system to automatically generate appropriate device templates without human intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual template creation and development efforts when integrating new devices.
2Reliability
If static device templates are used, then device compatibility is ensured, but firmware upgrades may break compatibility and require template updates
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates device templates dynamically based on current device descriptions rather than relying on static pre-built templates. When device firmware is upgraded, the system can obtain updated device descriptions from the upgraded device and regenerate the device template accordingly, ensuring continuous compatibility without requiring control system firmware updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system obtains and stores device descriptions in advance from device vendors or devices themselves. These descriptions serve as a reference that can be used to generate device templates at any time, ensuring that the control system is prepared to handle firmware upgrades by having the capability to regenerate templates with updated information.
3Productivity
If standard device profiles are used, then common device categories are integrated, but extended device capabilities are not utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates device templates with local quality by including only the specific parameters and capabilities that are relevant to each individual device based on its description. This allows the template to include extended capabilities specific to particular devices while maintaining efficiency by not including unnecessary parameters for all devices of a category.
Solution Approach 2:
The device template generation is dynamic and adapts to the specific capabilities of each device based on its description. The system can include extended capabilities in the generated template when the device description indicates their availability, allowing efficient utilization of extended capabilities without requiring separate development efforts for each capability.
4Manufacturing precision
If device-specific templates are created, then precise device control is achieved, but templates cannot be reused for other devices of the same type
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates universal device templates through on-demand generation that can serve multiple devices of the same type. By generating templates based on device descriptions rather than hardcoding them for specific devices, the same template generation process can be applied to any device of a particular type, making the templates reusable across multiple devices while maintaining precision for each specific device.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (100) of generating on-demand device templates for integrating a controller controllable (CC) device with a process controller in a processing plant. A device description for the CC device is obtained (101) including a list of device parameters, connection details for communications including assembly structures, and a mapping of the device parameters into the assembly structures or the device description. Using a device template generating algorithm a custom device template is generated (102) for the CC device (i) by modifying an existing device template to include at least one modification or (ii) from the device description.