PLC Package Deployment for User Program Version Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) face challenges in managing multiple versions of programs, leading to version mismatches between program tools and controllers, which can prevent the execution of user programs.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a package management module that selects and deploys the appropriate version of a package program based on the user program's version, ensuring backward compatibility and flexible addition of packages by using a check module and package management table.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple versions of program packages are stored in the control device to support various user program versions, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need to manage and select appropriate versions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary version checking and package selection during the deployment phase before execution. The version check module预先 checks compatibility between user programs and package programs, and the package management module pre-selects appropriate packages, avoiding version mismatch issues during runtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a version check module and package management module as intermediary components between the user program and the program packages. These modules act as mediators that automatically check version compatibility and select appropriate packages, simplifying the overall system management.
2Reliability
If version checking mechanisms are implemented to prevent execution of incompatible programs, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional checks and constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The version check module and package management module automatically perform version compatibility checks and package selections without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously identifying compatible packages and deploying them, maintaining reliability while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Version compatibility is checked in advance during the deployment phase rather than during execution. This preliminary checking ensures reliability by preventing incompatible program execution while maintaining ease of operation by automating the process without requiring user involvement during critical operations.
3Productivity
If the package management module automatically selects and deploys compatible packages, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to automated management functions
Solution Approach 1:
The software management system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a version check module that handles compatibility verification, and a package management module that handles package selection and deployment. This segmentation improves productivity by enabling automated operations while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The package management system dynamically selects and deploys packages based on the version information of user programs. The system adapts its behavior according to the specific deployment context, automatically adjusting package selections to ensure compatibility while maintaining high deployment efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device includes a main storage device that stores a user program and program packages in a nonvolatile manner; a main memory having a package management module arranged therein; and a processor. The package management module performs a deployment process for selecting, from the program packages, a package to be deployed based on a version of the user program, and arranging, from the package to be deployed, a version of a program compatible with the version of the user program in the main memory.