Substation Process Bus Engineering with Automatic Publisher-Subscriber Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

The engineering of process bus systems in substations is complex, time-consuming, and prone to errors due to the need for extensive manual configuration of Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), requiring significant human skill and effort, which can lead to inefficiencies and mistakes.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and toolset that automatically configures process bus systems by generating publisher-subscriber data and automatically mapping Generic Object-Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE) and Sample Measured Value (SMV) connections based on engineering data from IEDs, using substation engineering and communication configuration tools to streamline the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual configuration of process bus system is performed, then configuration accuracy can be maintained through human review, but configuration time and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-configuration by automatically generating publisher-subscriber data and mapping GOOSE/SMV connections based on engineering data from IEDs, eliminating the need for manual configuration while maintaining accuracy through automated validation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration processes with automated computer-implemented methods, using software tools to generate and validate configuration data, thereby reducing both time and potential human errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If extensive manual configuration is performed, then configuration completeness can be achieved, but device complexity and skill requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration completenessVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration tool automatically generates complete publisher-subscriber data and mappings by processing engineering data from IEDs, ensuring configuration completeness without requiring manual intervention or high-level expert knowledge

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The automated configuration tool handles multiple configuration tasks including GOOSE mapping, SMV mapping, and publisher-subscriber data generation through a single integrated system, reducing overall configuration complexity while maintaining completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If automated mapping is implemented, then productivity increases, but configuration precision may decrease due to automation errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration speedVSAvoidconfiguration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates validation mechanisms that automatically check the generated publisher-subscriber data and mappings for consistency and correctness, providing feedback to ensure configuration accuracy while maintaining automated speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration tool performs preliminary validation and error checking during the automated mapping process, identifying and correcting potential errors before final configuration completion, thereby maintaining precision while achieving high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4312346A1Automatic engineering of process bus system
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 SIEMENS AG
  • EP4312346A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4312346A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4312346A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer implemented method (100) for engineering a process bus system (200), a substation engineering tool (301), and a substation communication configuration tool (302) are provided. The computer implemented method (100) obtains, from the substation engineering tool (301), engineering data associated intelligent electronic device(s) (IEDs) (202A-202B, 203A-203D) deployable in a substation, using an SCD file, generates publisher-subscriber data by determining a publisher logical device (701, 801) and a subscriber logical device (702, 802) from the IEDs (202A-202B, 203A-203D) and the connections therebetween, based on the engineering data, stores into the engineering data the publisher-subscriber data, transfers the engineering data to the substation communication configuration tool (302) via the SCD file, and automatically maps, in the substation communication configuration tool (302), the publisher logical device (701, 801) and the subscriber logical device (702, 802) with the GOOSE and SMV information based on the engineering data and the publisher-subscriber data.