PLC Event Prioritization for Time-Critical Control Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Event-controlled control programs in automation systems lack mechanisms to ensure timely execution of time-critical responses, leading to potential timeouts and inefficiencies due to the lack of predefined processing cycles.
Innovation Solution
A method for executing event-oriented control programs on programmable logic controllers, where activation events are prioritized, and functional modules are executed based on these priorities, allowing for flexible prioritization and ensuring timely execution of time-critical parts of the control program.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If event-controlled execution model is used, then system flexibility and distributed control capability are improved, but ability to ensure timely execution of time-critical responses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by assigning priorities to activation events before execution. The execution environment pre-configures priority levels for different event types, enabling the system to preemptively determine execution order without requiring complex real-time negotiations. This ensures time-critical events are always processed first, maintaining reliability while preserving event-controlled flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the execution sequence adaptable based on event priorities. Rather than a fixed cyclic schedule, the system dynamically adjusts which functional modules execute next based on the priority of pending activation events. This dynamic prioritization mechanism allows the system to respond flexibly to different event types while guaranteeing timely processing of critical events.
2Reliability
If computing capacity is oversized to ensure timely execution, then response time reliability is improved, but system cost and resource utilization efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating resource allocation based on event priorities. Instead of uniformly oversizing computing capacity for all events, the system allocates processing resources preferentially to high-priority time-critical events. This localized resource focus ensures reliable response times for critical functions while avoiding unnecessary resource consumption for non-critical events, improving overall utilization efficiency.
3Reliability
If cyclic execution environment is used, then predefined response times are ensured, but flexibility in handling diverse event types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the execution model into priority-based segments rather than a single cyclic schedule. The system segments event processing into multiple priority levels, with each segment having its own execution characteristics. This allows time-critical events to be processed with deterministic timing while less critical events are handled with greater flexibility, combining the advantages of both cyclic and event-controlled approaches.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is set forth that serves to execute an event-oriented control program on a programmable logic controller of an automation system, wherein the control program comprises a plurality of functional modules, wherein an execution of the individual functional modules is triggered in an event-controlled manner on the occurrence of activation events that are each associated with the individual functional modules, and wherein priorities are assigned to each of the activation events. The method comprises the following steps:detecting activation events that have occurred; andexecuting the functional modules that are each associated with the activation events that have occurred in an execution sequence defined on the basis of the priorities of the individual activation events.