Path Affinity Engine for Dynamic Industrial Control Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connected messaging in industrial control systems delays commissioning and hardware changes due to the need for specific route information, which is not fully available until late stages, causing inefficiencies in establishing connections and accessing control level data across multiple controllers.
Innovation Solution
A 'path affinity' engine that uses tag names to dynamically discover and establish connections between industrial control components, allowing for background operation and simplifying the commissioning process by creating a directory of tag names linked to route data, enabling dynamic formation of connections and handling hardware changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connected messaging is used to ensure reliable control data transfer, then data transfer reliability is improved, but commissioning time increases because route information is not available until late stages
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring connection templates and route information structures in advance. The path affinity engine is pre-programmed with the ability to discover and establish connections using tag names, so when commissioning begins, the system can rapidly match tag names to route data without waiting for detailed hardware configurations to be finalized.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the path affinity engine - that acts as a mediator between control components and the connected messaging infrastructure. This engine uses tag names as intermediaries to dynamically discover and establish connections, decoupling the naming/convention layer from the physical routing layer, thereby enabling earlier commissioning while maintaining connection reliability.
2Reliability
If specific route information is required to establish connections, then connection reliability is improved, but system flexibility deteriorates when hardware changes are made
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamics by enabling runtime discovery and dynamic establishment of connections. The path affinity engine can adapt connection routes based on current hardware configurations rather than relying on static pre-configured routes. When hardware changes occur, the engine dynamically updates connection information using tag names to locate new hardware positions, maintaining both reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by using tag names as configurable parameters that can be mapped to different physical hardware locations. Instead of hardcoding specific hardware addresses or routes, the system changes the routing parameters dynamically based on tag name lookups, allowing the same connection logic to work across different hardware configurations while maintaining reliable connected messaging.
3Measurement precision
If connected messaging protocols are used, then control data transfer accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple connection data changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the complexity of connection management by separating the naming function (tag names) from the routing function (physical connections). The path affinity engine extracts and manages the mapping between tag names and route data, allowing control components to simply use tag names without dealing with complex connection configurations. This extraction reduces device complexity while maintaining transfer accuracy through the underlying connected messaging protocol.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for a "path affinity" engine that may work in the background to discover route information needed to connect industrial control components to control level data using "tag names." Connections may be established dynamically through the path affinity engine, thereby simplifying the commissioning process and allowing connections to be made on an as needed basis. Accordingly, discovery of tag locations at runtime may be permitted, and implementing hardware changes in industrial control environments may be greatly simplified.