Supervisory Software Translation Layer for Backward Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of maintaining compatibility between supervisory system software and on-device control software across different development cycles, particularly in primary industries, leads to labor-intensive and disruptive software upgrades, especially when devices are located remotely, causing operational disruptions and difficulty in troubleshooting.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a supervisory system data translation layer with mapping rules for converting serialized objects, key-values, and events, along with a supervisory system application layer to ensure compatibility between different software versions, allowing flexible upgrade schedules and prioritizing supervisory system software upgrades over on-device control software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If supervisory system software and on-device control software are upgraded simultaneously to maintain compatibility, then compatibility between software versions is ensured, but operational disruptions increase and labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a translation layer as an intermediary component between the supervisory system software and on-device control software. This translation layer handles version mismatches by translating communication protocols and data formats, allowing the supervisory system to communicate with devices running different software versions without requiring simultaneous upgrades, thus maintaining compatibility while enabling independent upgrade schedules
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct components: the supervisory system software, the on-device control software, and the translation layer. This segmentation allows each component to be upgraded independently according to its own development cycle, eliminating the constraint that required simultaneous upgrades while maintaining overall system compatibility through the translation layer
2Adaptability or versatility
If on-device control software is updated to interact with upgraded device software, then functionality is improved, but supervisory system software may become incompatible requiring coordinated upgrades
Solution Approach 1:
The translation layer acts as an intermediary that absorbs the complexity of version coordination between the supervisory system and on-device software. It handles protocol translations and data format conversions, allowing the on-device control software to be updated for improved functionality without automatically breaking compatibility with the supervisory system, as the translation layer manages the version mismatches
3Reliability
If software upgrades are performed at remote device locations, then compatibility is maintained, but labor costs increase and operational disruptions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The translation layer enables backward compatibility, allowing the supervisory system to communicate with devices running older versions of on-device control software. This means that device software can be upgraded at the manufacturer's pace without requiring immediate field upgrades, eliminating the need for personnel to travel to remote locations for coordinated upgrades and reducing both labor costs and operational disruptions
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a method and system for providing backwards compatibility between software versions of supervisory system software executing on a supervisory system and on device control software executing on a device under control of the supervisory system, wherein the on device control software executes on a computing module located on the device to act as an intermediary between the supervisory system and device software running on the device. Providing backwards compatibility between software versions enables upgrade schedules to be more flexible and no longer requires the supervisory system and all devices under control of the supervisory system to be upgraded at the same time.