Software-Defined Automation Architecture for Centralized Virtualized Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional automation systems are rigid, inflexible, and lack centralized management, leading to complexity, inefficiency, and vulnerability to security risks, with difficulties in data aggregation and system recovery.
Innovation Solution
The Software-defined Automation (SDA) technology transforms traditional automation architectures into a flexible, flatter system with centralized management, using virtualization and networking technologies to enable dynamic configuration and deployment of applications, and integrates smart connected devices with enterprise systems for holistic control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional automation systems use distributed controllers and devices, then system coverage and functionality are improved, but device complexity and system rigidity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized management server as an intermediary between controllers and upper-level management systems. This server provides unified configuration, monitoring, and control capabilities, reducing the complexity of direct distributed management while maintaining system flexibility through software-based control.
Solution Approach 2:
The management server implements multiple functions including configuration management, real-time monitoring, historical data storage, alarm management, and control operations within a single centralized platform. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for multiple separate systems and decreases overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If traditional automation systems implement centralized management, then system control and coordination are improved, but implementation costs and system vulnerability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system architecture segments functionality between the centralized management server and distributed controllers. The server handles high-level management tasks while controllers execute local control operations, creating a hierarchical structure that improves ease of operation while maintaining system resilience through distributed execution capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The management server implements comprehensive monitoring and feedback mechanisms that track controller status, system performance, and security events in real-time. This feedback enables rapid detection and response to security threats or failures, improving system reliability while maintaining centralized management capabilities.
3Loss of information
If traditional automation systems use multiple controllers and devices, then system functionality is improved, but data aggregation difficulty and recovery complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The management server consolidates data from multiple controllers and devices into a unified database and interface. This merging of data sources improves data accessibility and enables centralized analysis while reducing the complexity of managing distributed data systems through standardized data collection and storage protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a software defined automation system that provides a reference architecture for designing, managing and maintaining a highly available, scalable and flexible automation system. In some embodiments, an SDA system can include a localized subsystem including a system controller node and multiple compute nodes. The multiple compute nodes can be communicatively coupled to the system controller node via a first communication network. The system controller node can manage the multiple compute nodes and virtualization of a control system on a compute node via the first communication network. The virtualized control system includes virtualized control system elements connected to a virtual network that is connected to a second communication network to enable the virtualized control system elements to control a physical control system element via the second communication network connected to the virtual network.