OPC UA PubSub Subscriber Configuration via Virtual Address Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for configuring OPC UA PubSub subscribers in industrial networks require significant hardware resources, leading to high costs and resource inefficiencies, particularly for IO devices, due to the need for proprietary tools and support for TCP/IP-based request/response methods.
Innovation Solution
A method that provides a virtual OPC UA PubSub address space on a separate configuration module, allowing configuration via method calls and message transmission, eliminating the need for local address spaces and TCP/IP support in subscribers, enabling configuration through a central instance using UDP or other protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If configuration is performed using proprietary tools and TCP/IP-based request/response methods, then configuration capability is achieved, but hardware resource requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a configuration server as an intermediary component that handles the complex configuration tasks using TCP/IP and request/response methods, while the IO devices themselves only need minimal UDP support. The configuration server acts as a mediator that performs the resource-intensive operations centrally, allowing IO devices to remain simple and resource-efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual address space that is a copy of the actual IO device address space, allowing configuration operations to be performed on the virtual copy rather than requiring the physical device to have full TCP/IP stack and processing capabilities. This virtualization approach enables configuration capability while minimizing hardware requirements at the IO device level.
2Ease of operation
If IO devices support full TCP/IP stack and OPC UA server functionality, then configuration can be performed directly, but device costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration functionality into two parts: a configuration server that handles the complex TCP/IP-based configuration operations, and simple IO devices that only need basic UDP support. This segmentation allows IO devices to be manufactured with minimal features, reducing costs, while the configuration server provides the advanced functionality needed for setup and management.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration server is designed to handle multiple IO devices and provide universal configuration capabilities through a standardized interface. This multi-functional server can configure different types of devices without requiring each device to have full configuration capabilities built-in, reducing per-device costs while maintaining ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If configuration is performed locally on each subscriber device, then device autonomy is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration server serves as a centralized intermediary that manages configuration for multiple IO devices. Instead of each device needing full configuration capabilities, the server handles all configuration operations centrally, reducing the complexity at the device level while maintaining the ability to configure devices autonomously through the standardized interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for configuring at least one OPC UA PubSub subscriber in an in particular industrial network, in which a) a virtual address space is provided for the at least one subscriber on a configuration module that is separate from the at least one subscriber, b) a configuration for the at least one subscriber is performed and/or a configuration already existing for the at least one subscriber is changed in the virtual address space of the at least one subscriber, c) the configuration module converts the configuration and/or configuration change into at least one PubSub message, d) the at least one PubSub message is transmitted to the at least one subscriber, and e) the at least one subscriber is configured according to the at least one PubSub message. In addition, the invention relates to an automation system, a computer program and a computer-readable medium.