Relay-Based Field Device Software Updates Across Different Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in managing communication bandwidth and downtime during software updates across multiple field devices connected via different communication links, leading to restricted communication and increased load on hosts and field devices.

Innovation Solution

A relay apparatus and method that stores software intended for multiple field devices on a storage unit, converting and transmitting it to these devices sequentially, reducing the need for direct communication between hosts and field devices on different links.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the host transmits software to each field device individually via the relay apparatus, then each field device can be updated, but the communication bands of both links are occupied during transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware update completionVSAvoidcommunication availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The relay apparatus stores the software in its storage unit before the actual update process begins. This preliminary storage action allows the software to be readily available for distribution to multiple field devices without requiring repeated transmissions from the host, thus preventing communication band occupation during the update process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If software is transmitted to multiple field devices simultaneously, then update efficiency improves, but the host and communication links become overloaded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate speedVSAvoidsystem load

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The relay apparatus acts as an intermediary between the host and multiple field devices. It receives the software once from the host, stores it in its own storage unit, and then distributes it to multiple field devices sequentially or in parallel. This intermediary role prevents the host and communication links from becoming overloaded while still enabling efficient updates to multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the host communicates directly with each field device on different links, then communication is straightforward, but the communication amount of the entire system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication simplicityVSAvoidcommunication amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The relay apparatus merges the communication functions for multiple field devices into a single reception point. Instead of the host communicating separately with each field device (which would multiply the communication amount), the host communicates once with the relay apparatus, which then handles distribution to all field devices. This merging significantly reduces the total communication amount while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4711918A1Relay apparatus, relay method, and relay program to update the software of field devices

Publication Date: 2026.03.18 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP

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AI summary

The relay apparatus (100) includes a first communication unit (110) that communicates with a first device that is connected to a first link, a second communication unit (120) that communicates with a second device that is connected to a second link, a communication control unit (150) that receives, from the first device, software that is to be transmitted to the second device, and stores the received software in a storage unit (140), and an update control unit (160) that updates software of the second device by transmitting the software that is stored in the storage unit (140) to the second device.