Proxy Computer Selection for Industrial Device Data Acquisition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of integrated control and safety systems (ICSS) in industrial plants makes it difficult for general-purpose computers to access industrial network devices efficiently, requiring proper selection of proxy computers based on static and dynamic conditions, which is often a time-consuming and skilled-engineer-dependent process.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented proxy-selection system comprising an expert rule module, a separator module, and an intelligence module that categorizes device data, applies expert rules, calculates selection-weight factors, and automatically selects suitable proxy computers based on static and dynamic conditions, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual proxy computer selection is performed by skilled engineers, then data acquisition can be performed correctly, but the process is time-consuming and requires high expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-selection of proxy computers by evaluating static and dynamic conditions through the proxy selection engine, eliminating the need for manual engineer intervention while maintaining reliable data acquisition
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of engineer-based proxy selection is replaced with an automated computational system that evaluates multiple conditions and selects optimal proxy computers algorithmically
2Reliability
If proxy computers are selected based on multiple static and dynamic conditions, then data acquisition reliability is improved, but the selection process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The complex selection process is segmented into distinct modules: static condition evaluation, dynamic condition monitoring, and automated decision-making logic, making the overall complex system manageable through structured decomposition
Solution Approach 2:
The proxy selection engine acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of evaluating multiple static and dynamic conditions, shielding users from the complexity while ensuring reliable proxy selection based on all relevant factors
3Reliability
If improper proxy computer selection is made, then data acquisition fails, but critical device performance is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of proxy computer suitability based on static and dynamic conditions before data acquisition begins, preventing improper selections that would cause data acquisition failure and protect critical device performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors dynamic conditions including proxy computer load status and provides feedback to the proxy selection engine, enabling real-time adjustments to prevent overload of critical devices and ensure successful data acquisition
Data Source
AI summary
A proxy-selection system includes an expert rule module that stores a respective set of expert rules applicable to each target device, each expert rule having a respective selection-weight factor. The intelligence module includes logic to acquire, from the separator, the categorized device data for each target device; logic to search, from the expert rule module, a respective set of expert rules which are all applicable to each target device; logic to apply the respective set of expert rules searched for each target device; logic to calculate the respective selection-weight factors of all of the respective set of expert rules applied; and logic to select one or more proxy computers based on a result of the calculation of the selection-weight factors.