Redundant Field Transmitter Control via Evaluation Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current field bus systems experience a seamless control failure when one control device fails, as the transition between redundant control devices is not instantaneous, leading to potential disruptions in automation systems.
Innovation Solution
A control and data transmission installation with a slave device connected to multiple control devices via a communications network, where each control device transmits status and output data to separate interfaces, and an evaluation device ensures seamless operation by forwarding data only from the functioning control device, with input interfaces for synchronized data access and failure detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a redundant change-over system is used with two control devices, then reliability is improved, but control seamlessness deteriorates due to change-over time delays
Solution Approach 1:
The slave device is prepared in advance with multiple addressable output interfaces and the capability to receive data from multiple control devices simultaneously. The evaluation device is pre-configured to evaluate status signals and switch between control devices without interruption, eliminating the need for time-consuming change-over operations.
Solution Approach 2:
An evaluation device is introduced as an intermediary component between the control devices and the slave device. This evaluation device receives status signals from control devices, evaluates their operational state, and automatically selects which control device's output data to forward, enabling seamless switching without direct intervention or time delays.
2Reliability
If multiple control devices transmit data simultaneously, then reliability is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation device serves as an intermediary that simplifies data processing by centrally evaluating status signals from multiple control devices and automatically selecting the appropriate output data source. This centralized evaluation approach reduces the complexity that would otherwise exist in distributed decision-making across multiple control devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The data processing function is segmented into separate components: control devices generate data, the evaluation device evaluates status and selects sources, and output interfaces forward selected data. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without the complexity of handling all processing tasks.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If seamless control is achieved through multiple interfaces, then control continuity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slave device is designed with universal output interfaces that can receive and process data from multiple control devices through a single communications network connection. This multi-functionality allows the same interface infrastructure to serve multiple control devices, maintaining control continuity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation device acts as a mediator that manages the complexity of multiple interfaces by providing a single point of evaluation and selection. This intermediary approach allows the slave device to maintain control continuity through multiple sources while the evaluation device absorbs the complexity of managing these multiple connections.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a control and data transmission installation for redundantly controlling a slave device, which may be a field transmitter. The effect achieved by the control and data transmission installation is that essentially seamless control of a field transmitter can be assured even when a control device fails. The control and data transmission installation has at least two control devices and at least one slave device which are connected to one another by a communication network. The slave device contains addressable output interfaces for receiving output and status data. Each control device has a device for producing and transmitting status and output data for a separate output interface of the slave device, and the slave device has an evaluation device which controls the forwarding of received output data for further use in response to the status signals received from the control devices.