Reference Device Data Synchronization in Distributed Control Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed control systems, maintaining data synchronization among actuators and sensors controlled by multiple controllers is challenging due to potential inconsistencies caused by communication failures, device failures, or interlaced commands, leading to inefficiencies and ambiguous control actions.
Innovation Solution
Assigning a reference device within each logical group to serve as a state variable, and designating a refresh master controller to periodically resynchronize states, reducing signaling overhead and resolving inconsistencies without direct interaction between controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple controllers directly communicate with all actuators and sensors in a distributed control system, then control functionality and redundancy are improved, but communication congestion and data synchronization issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments actuators and sensors into logical groups, with each group having a designated reference device. Controllers only need to communicate with the reference device to manage the entire group, dividing the communication task into smaller, manageable segments and reducing overall communication load while maintaining control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The reference device acts as an intermediary between controllers and other actuators/sensors in its logical group. Instead of controllers directly communicating with every device, they communicate through the reference device, which then coordinates with other group members, eliminating communication congestion and synchronization issues
2Measurement precision
If controllers read state variables from each actuator and sensor individually, then data accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead and communication latency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the state variable reading function for all actuators and sensors in a logical group into a single reference device. Instead of reading from each device individually, the controller reads once from the reference device, which maintains an accurate representation of the group state, thereby reducing communication latency while preserving data accuracy
3Ease of manufacture
If the system uses a centralized control architecture, then ease of implementation is improved, but system robustness and scalability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent controllers, each managing specific logical groups of actuators and sensors. This segmentation distributes the control function across multiple nodes, improving system robustness and scalability while maintaining implementation simplicity through the standardized reference device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The reference device architecture provides a universal interface that works across all logical groups and controllers. Each controller can manage multiple logical groups through the same reference device mechanism, and each reference device can serve multiple controllers, creating a scalable multi-functional system that maintains ease of implementation
Data Source
AI summary
A data synchronization method and apparatus are provided for a distributed control system where multiple controllers can control a plurality of actuators or sensors. The actuators or sensors are assigned to logical groups that share a common state. One of the actuators or sensors within a logical group serves as a reference device for a state variable. Before taking a control action, the controllers read the current value of the state variable from the reference device. Data synchronization is maintained by one or more refresh master controllers.