OPC UA Component Mapping for Automated Protocol Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication protocols and information models in industrial plants often require costly and error-prone manual adaptation to establish compatibility, leading to inefficiencies in data exchange between components.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a mapping tool to configure components with an OPC UA server by selecting the server, retrieving data models and parameters, establishing relations between them, and configuring the address space, thereby automating the adaptation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual adaptation of communication protocols is performed, then compatibility between different protocols can be established, but the process becomes costly and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a protocol adapter and mapping tool that automatically translates between different communication protocols and data models. This intermediary layer handles the protocol adaptation without requiring manual configuration, thereby maintaining communication compatibility while eliminating the costly and error-prone manual adaptation process. The mapping tool automatically generates mapping configurations between OPC UA and other protocols, serving as a mediator that resolves protocol incompatibilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of protocol adaptation with an automated computer-implemented system. The mapping tool automatically performs protocol translation and data model mapping without human intervention, substituting the manual mechanical configuration process with an automated software-based solution. This eliminates human errors and reduces the time and cost associated with manual protocol adaptation.
2Productivity
If automated mapping is implemented, then protocol adaptation effort is reduced, but system complexity increases due to additional mapping tools and databases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining standard data models and communication protocols in a database before actual protocol adaptation is needed. The mapping tool retrieves these pre-configured models and automatically generates mappings, eliminating the need for real-time manual configuration. This preliminary preparation reduces adaptation effort while the modular database architecture manages complexity by organizing information in reusable, standardized formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping tool is designed as a universal platform that can handle multiple protocol translations and data model mappings through a single integrated system. Rather than creating separate tools for each protocol pair, the universal mapping tool manages multiple protocol adaptations using common database structures and mapping algorithms, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity across different protocol scenarios.
3Reliability
If manual protocol adaptation is performed, then system complexity remains low, but errors increase and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual protocol adaptation with an automated computer-implemented mapping tool that systematically translates between different protocols and data models. This automated system eliminates human errors inherent in manual configuration while significantly reducing the time required for protocol adaptation. The mapping tool consistently applies predefined mapping rules, ensuring high data exchange accuracy without the productivity loss associated with manual processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for configuring a component includes selecting a Server of the component by a Client of a mapping tool; receiving by the Client a data model that includes a list of attributes; retrieving from a database a list of parameters of the component; retrieving from a dictionary a list of relations between the attributes of the data model and parameters of the component; checking, for each attribute whether the dictionary contains a relation comprising this attribute from the list of relations; for each relation that comprises this attribute, adding, by the mapping tool the relation to a mapping definition file; configuring, by the mapping tool the component by adding, based on the mapping definition file the parameters to the address space of its Server; and reading, by an Client of a control unit the parameters of the component.