Operating Device State Synchronization for Automation Data Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automation systems, the exchange of data between operating devices and field devices requires significant processor power and energy, especially when transmitting commands, parameters, and process measurement values, due to the need to maintain synchronization and ensure accurate data exchange.
Innovation Solution
The operating device includes a status unit synchronized with the state machine of the field device, allowing it to maintain the same status, thereby reducing the need to exchange state-related data, and only transmitting necessary numeric values or display values, which are then processed based on the known state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If data exchange between operating device and field device is performed using demanding transmission protocols to ensure accurate data exchange, then data exchange accuracy is improved, but processor power and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The operating device proactively queries the field device's current state and pre-loads relevant data and parameters before they are actually needed for display or processing. This preliminary action allows the field device to prepare data in advance, reducing the need for repeated high-bandwidth communication and intensive real-time processing during critical data exchange operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and transmits only the essential state information and numeric values needed for operation, rather than exchanging complete data sets. By separating critical data (state identifiers, numeric values) from non-critical data (detailed process information, redundant parameters), the system achieves accurate data exchange with significantly reduced communication overhead and processing requirements.
2Loss of information
If complete data sets including all process measurement values and device data are transmitted between devices, then data completeness is improved, but data transmission volume and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and transmits only the minimal necessary data elements required to maintain operational awareness and control. Instead of transmitting complete data sets, the operating device receives selective information including state identifiers and numeric values, which are sufficient for effective operation while dramatically reducing transmission time and bandwidth requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating device performs preliminary queries to determine which specific data elements are currently relevant to the operational context. This allows the system to pre-fetch only necessary data rather than transmitting all possible data types, reducing transmission time while maintaining data completeness for active operational parameters.
3Reliability
If the operating device transmits commands and parameters to the field device and receives full responses with all device data, then communication reliability is improved, but communication overhead and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication protocol is optimized to extract and exchange only the critical elements needed for reliable control operation. Instead of exchanging complete device data sets, the system transmits essential commands, parameters, and numeric values, maintaining communication reliability while minimizing the energy required for each communication cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial data exchange by transmitting only the specific data elements required for the current operational context rather than complete data sets. This partial action approach maintains sufficient communication reliability for control purposes while significantly reducing the energy overhead associated with comprehensive data transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
An operator panel having a state unit is provided, wherein individual states of the state unit correspond to states of a state machine contained in a field device and which are synchronized by the state machine in such a way that the actual state of the operator panel corresponds to the actual state of the field device. The operator panel is in the same state as the field device such that the operator panel knows the actual state of the field device.