Remote Terminal Unit Communication Using Unidirectional Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current integration workflows for remote terminal units in infrastructure projects are largely manual or partly automated, leading to errors and prolonged project timelines, especially in critical infrastructure systems like renewable energy and hydrogen industries, where reliable communication and standardization of interfaces are crucial.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented configuration tool generates automation for remote terminal units according to the VDI/VDE/NAMUR 2658 standard, replacing bidirectional communication mechanisms with unidirectional ones and adapting data communications to specific requirements, enabling efficient operation and monitoring communication with industrial plant control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual or partly automated integration workflows are used for remote terminal units, then flexibility in handling individual projects is maintained, but error rates increase and project timelines are prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical integration processes with an automated computer-implemented configuration tool that generates automation configurations according to VDI/VDE/NAMUR 2658 standards. This substitution eliminates manual errors while maintaining standardized workflows, directly resolving the contradiction between integration accuracy and project timeline.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of automation generation from manual configuration to automated standard-based generation. By implementing automated configuration tools that adhere to standardized interfaces, the system achieves both higher reliability through error reduction and faster project delivery through elimination of manual processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bidirectional communication mechanisms are implemented according to VDI/VDE/NAMUR 2658 standard, then complete communication functionality is achieved, but communication reliability in harsh remote conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes bidirectional communication mechanisms from the automation configuration, retaining only unidirectional communication mechanisms that are more reliable in harsh remote conditions. This selective extraction maintains essential communication functionality while eliminating the reliability issues associated with bidirectional protocols in remote terminal unit applications.
3Reliability
If comprehensive testing is performed for each integrated remote terminal unit, then error elimination is achieved, but project time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating standardized automation configurations using computer-implemented tools before deployment. By pre-configuring remote terminal units according to VDI/VDE/NAMUR 2658 standards, the system eliminates the need for extensive post-integration testing, thereby maintaining high reliability while significantly improving integration speed and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating automation for a remote terminal unit, in which automation for the remote terminal unit is generated by a computer-implemented configuration tool in conformance with specifications of the VDI/VDE/NAMUR 2658 standard, so as to subsequent communication of the remote terminal unit with a control system for an industrial plant to operate and monitor the remote terminal unit, where a data communications part of the automation is adapted to the specific requirements of communication of the remote terminal unit with external computing units, and where bidirectional communication mechanisms provided for in the VDI/VDE/NAMUR 2658 standard are each replaced by two unidirectional communication mechanisms.