Process IO Master Mapping for Flexible Distributed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distributed control systems lack the flexibility to change the combination of controllers and input/output target devices without requiring hardware changes, making it impossible to adapt to different actuators or sensors without modifying external wiring.
Innovation Solution
A distributed control system with a process IO master device and modules connected via a field bus, utilizing an output authority table to determine which control device's data is used for output, allowing flexible adaptation without hardware changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware connections are fixed between control devices and input/output target devices, then system stability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a process IO master device as an intermediary between control devices and process IO modules. This mediator manages the mapping relationships through software (output authority table) rather than fixed hardware connections, allowing flexible reconfiguration of which control device outputs data to which actuator without physical wire changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual mapping layer that copies the functionality of direct hardware connections through software tables. The output authority table stores mapping relationships between control device output addresses and actuator addresses, enabling the system to simulate different hardware connection configurations through data structure manipulation rather than physical reconfiguration
2Adaptability or versatility
If hardware connections are changed to adapt to different actuators, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/hardware connection system with a software-based addressing system. Instead of physically reconnecting wires to change actuators, the system uses address assignments in the output authority table to map control device outputs to different actuators, substituting mechanical reconfiguration with software data manipulation
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control devices share input data, then system flexibility is improved, but determining which output data to adopt becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The process IO master device automatically manages output data selection based on the output authority table configurations. Each control device independently writes its output data to the process IO master's output data memory with its assigned address, and the system automatically determines which data to adopt based on the authority table mappings, eliminating the need for complex manual selection logic
Data Source
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AI summary
A distributed control system (1) includes: a plurality of control devices (11, 12, 20); a process IO master device (31) shared by the control devices (11, 12, 20) and including an output authority table (60) and an output data memory (50) having areas for storing data outputted from the control devices (11, 12, 20); and a plurality of process IO modules (100 to 110) connected to the process IO master device (31) and each connected to a sensor/actuator (200 to 210), wherein the output authority table (60) provides an authority that determines the control device (11, 12, 20) of which output data is to be adopted, for each of addresses corresponding to the actuators.