PLC Code Generation Using a Multidisciplinary Connectivity Model
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multidisciplinary engineering systems, integrating data from various engineering disciplines to generate programmable logic controller (PLC) code is inefficient due to disparate representations and lack of seamless connectivity between disciplines.
Innovation Solution
A connectivity model is introduced that provides interfaces and connection rules within a multidisciplinary engineering system, allowing for the transmission and reception of engineered data between different engineering applications, enabling the generation of PLC code through a server using code generation rules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple engineering disciplines use their own separate data representations and storage methods, then each discipline can maintain its specialized data format and processing logic, but integration between disciplines becomes inefficient and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal data model that serves multiple engineering disciplines simultaneously. The connectivity model with standardized interfaces allows the same data structure to be used across process engineering, control engineering, and other disciplines, eliminating the need for separate representations while maintaining disciplinary-specific processing capabilities through configurable connection rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a connectivity model as an intermediary layer between different engineering disciplines. This mediator contains standardized interfaces and connection rules that translate between various data representations, enabling seamless integration without requiring each discipline to adopt a common format, thus preserving disciplinary flexibility while reducing integration complexity.
2Reliability
If PLC code is generated through manual processes with multiple steps, then engineers can carefully review and adjust each step, but the overall engineering time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by establishing a connectivity model and defining connection rules before PLC code generation. The system pre-configures interfaces, data mappings, and generation rules, allowing automated code generation to proceed efficiently while maintaining quality through pre-validated templates and standardized processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the connectivity model and connection rules are continuously refined based on code generation results. The system provides feedback loops that allow engineers to review generated code, adjust connection rules, and re-generate code automatically, ensuring high quality while reducing iterative manual intervention time.
3Productivity
If a unified data model is implemented across all engineering disciplines, then integration and code generation become more efficient, but flexibility in representing discipline-specific data may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data model into a unified connectivity framework and discipline-specific interface definitions. The connectivity model provides the standardized structure for integration, while each discipline can define its specific data representations through configurable interfaces and connection rules, allowing both efficiency and flexibility to coexist.
Data Source
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AI summary
The preferred embodiments described below include methods, systems and computer readable media for generating programmable logic controller (PLC) code based on a connectivity model in a multidisciplinary engineering system. The connectivity model provides interfaces 613 and 617 and connections 619 between various aspects of the multidisciplinary engineering system to provide engineering data, code scripts, executables, calls and other information that is used to generate PLC code. Code generation rules 621 are employed utilizing the engineering data, code scripts, executables, calls and other information received using the connectivity model to generate PLC code.