OT/IT Data Mapping via Microservices for Industrial Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face challenges in integrating legacy systems with newer IoT technologies due to limitations in data transmission and mapping between operation technology (OT) and information technology (IT) spaces, particularly in using pre-defined point-to-point mappings, which restrict efficient data routing and analysis.
Innovation Solution
An OT/IT mapping system that dynamically maps OT data to IT data using microservices, allowing for automatic sorting and routing without pre-defined mappings, enabling seamless integration of legacy systems into IoT applications through standardized analysis and loose communicative couplings between analytical systems and storage locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-defined point-to-point mappings are used to connect OT devices to IT devices, then data transmission is established, but system adaptability and ease of integration are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an OT/IT mapping system as an intermediary layer between OT devices and IT devices. This mapping system dynamically determines data routing without requiring pre-defined point-to-point connections, thereby maintaining reliable data transmission while significantly improving system adaptability and ease of integration for legacy systems into IoT environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping system employs dynamic data routing capabilities where data paths are determined at runtime based on current system state and requirements rather than being statically pre-defined. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and integrate new devices without reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between transmission reliability and system adaptability.
2Reliability
If pre-defined point-to-point mappings are used, then data routing is established, but data routing efficiency and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic data routing that determines optimal data paths at runtime based on current system conditions, device availability, and data priorities. This eliminates the inefficiencies of static pre-defined mappings while maintaining stable and reliable data routing through continuous adaptation to system state changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping system automatically determines and establishes data routes without requiring manual pre-configuration. The system self-services by dynamically analyzing data requirements and selecting appropriate routing paths, thereby improving data routing efficiency while maintaining stability through automated decision-making algorithms.
3Reliability
If manual mapping configuration is required, then data transmission paths are defined, but system complexity and ease of operation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The mapping system automatically discovers OT devices, IT devices, and their relationships without requiring manual configuration. It self-services by autonomously determining data transmission paths and establishing mappings based on device metadata and communication protocols, thereby eliminating manual configuration complexity while ensuring accurate and reliable mapping through systematic automated processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping system acts as an intelligent intermediary that automatically resolves the complexity of device integration. It handles the intricate tasks of device discovery, data format translation, and route determination, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining configuration accuracy through its automated mediation between diverse OT and IT systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If legacy systems are integrated into IoT environments, then system versatility is improved, but integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mapping system serves as a mediating layer that simplifies legacy system integration into IoT environments. It handles protocol translation, data format normalization, and device abstraction, thereby improving system versatility and integration capability while reducing integration complexity by shielding legacy systems from complex IoT infrastructure requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping system implements universal integration capabilities that work across diverse legacy systems and modern IoT devices. It provides multi-functional support for various communication protocols, data formats, and device types through a unified integration framework, thereby enhancing system versatility while reducing integration complexity through standardized universal interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a data delivery pipeline communicatively coupled to one or more microservices that receive a dataset transmitted through the data delivery pipeline. The system may also include a first microservice that receives a first dataset corresponding to operation technology (OT) data or information technology (IT) data and determines a second dataset based on the first dataset. The system may also include a second microservice that receives the second dataset from the first microservice via the data delivery pipeline, determines an action to perform in an industrial automation component of an industrial automation system based on an analysis of the second dataset, and transmits the action to the industrial automation component via the data delivery pipeline.