Petri Net Model Generation for Industrial Control Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for modeling industrial control systems using Petri Nets require manual expertise and are cumbersome, especially for complex architectures, making it difficult to adapt or modify models in response to changes in the system architecture or configuration.
Innovation Solution
A method for generating a generic Petri Net simulation model of an industrial control system, which allows for initial configuration and parameterization steps, enabling easy adaptation to reflect changes in the system architecture, by using a basic Petri Net system model with a generic component model, component family library, and unique identifiers for components, facilitating automatic re-computation and simulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual modeling of Petri Net is performed for each ICS architecture modification, then modeling accuracy and structure compliance are improved, but modeling time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining a generic Petri Net model structure that encompasses common ICS architectures. This generic model is prepared in advance with standardized places, transitions, and token flows, so that when a specific ICS architecture needs modeling, the system can automatically instantiate and configure the pre-prepared generic model rather than building from scratch, significantly reducing modeling time while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating specific Petri Net models through automatic instantiation and configuration of a generic Petri Net model template. The generic model serves as a reusable template that can be copied and adapted to different ICS architectures by configuring parameters such as component types, communication protocols, and system topology, eliminating the need to manually build each model while preserving structural accuracy
2Manufacturing precision
If manual Petri Net modeling is performed for complex ICS architectures, then model structure compliance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing automatic configuration algorithms that autonomously generate and adapt Petri Net models based on ICS architecture specifications. The system automatically maps ICS components to Petri Net elements, configures token flows, and generates the complete model without requiring expert manual intervention, making the process accessible to non-experts while maintaining structural compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a generic Petri Net model structure that can serve multiple ICS architecture types through parameter configuration. The same generic model template can be adapted to different ICS architectures (such as PLC-based, distributed control, or hierarchical structures) by changing configuration parameters, making the modeling process universally applicable across diverse systems
3Manufacturing precision
If expert manual modeling is used for ICS modifications, then model accuracy is improved, but adaptability to changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a configurable generic model structure that can dynamically adapt to ICS architecture changes. The model parameters, such as component configurations, communication topologies, and process flows, can be modified through configuration files or databases, allowing the same generic Petri Net model to reflect different ICS states without requiring structural redesign, thus maintaining both accuracy and adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method generates a Petri Net simulation model of an industrial controls system. The method includes providing a basic Petri Net system model employing a generic component model. The system model has at least two component places for generating parameterisation tokens, at least two family places for generating component instantiation tokens, and an architecture place for generating family instantiation tokens for the family place in response to an initial token. The method further includes providing a component family library including component family data, providing a component parameter list including component parameter data for each individual component of the Industrial Control System. Furthermore, the method includes assigning a unique identifier to each component of the component parameter list, assigning each component present in the component parameter list to one component family, and instantiating the basic Petri Net model by processing the component parameter list.