Sequence of Events Recorder Timestamp Granularity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial process control systems face challenges in capturing the temporal order of rapid digital state changes due to block processing periods that are too long, leading to potential misidentification of fault sequences in high-speed data collection environments, particularly in industries like nuclear power generation where precise timestamping and synchronization are critical for safety and incident reporting.
Innovation Solution
A sequence of events management facility is introduced, featuring an event data interface, a sequence of events server with a process database and event buffer, and an event buffer client interface, which receives timestamped event data from field devices, temporarily stores it, and provides access for sequential logging, enabling faster response times and chronological ordering of events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If block processing periods of 100 ms or more are used for data collection, then normal plant control purposes are satisfied, but the temporal order of rapid digital state changes cannot be captured during faults
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data processing function into two distinct pathways: a block processing cycle for normal control (100 ms or more) and a separate high-speed event processing pathway with its own event buffer and timestamping mechanism. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable fault sequence identification through the high-speed pathway while preserving normal control operations through the block processing pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an event buffer as an intermediary component between the input/output modules and the process database. This event buffer temporarily stores timestamped event data at high speed, allowing rapid digital state changes to be captured and preserved before being processed or archived, thereby preventing data loss during fault conditions without affecting normal control block processing.
2Measurement precision
If high-speed data collection with 1 ms timestamp granularity is implemented, then temporal ordering of events is improved, but data volume and processing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the high-speed event buffering and timestamping function from the main block processing cycle. By separating event data collection and temporary storage into a dedicated event buffer operating independently from the block processing pathway, the system achieves 1 ms timestamp granularity without increasing the complexity of the overall data management system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-allocating and maintaining an event buffer that is ready to capture and temporarily store timestamped events as they occur. This pre-prepared buffering capacity allows the system to handle high-speed data collection with fine timestamp granularity without requiring complex real-time processing decisions, thereby reducing system complexity.
3Loss of information
If more data points are tracked to provide greater granularity for process status views, then fault analysis capability is improved, but data storage and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different data retention characteristics to different types of data: event data (state changes) receive high-speed buffering and preservation with fine timestamp granularity for fault analysis, while normal process data continue to be handled through the standard block processing pathway. This localized high-quality handling of event data improves fault analysis capability without requiring high-volume storage and processing for all data types.
Data Source
AI summary
A sequence of events (SOE) recorder facility in a process control network environment is described herein. The SOE recorder facility is hosted by a networked node that receives digital signal status change (event) data from a networked controller. The sequence of events recorder facility receives a configured set of digital data signals from the controller, temporarily buffers the events in chronological order according to timestamps assigned to the events by their sources (e.g., fieldbus modules). The data is thereafter copied/removed from the buffer and provided to multiple destinations including: a process database that maintains an archival copy of the received event data for rendering event reports, and an SOE client user interface for rendering event logs to printers and/or graphical user interface displays.