Synchronous Relationship Visualization Across Distributed Drive Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack effective methods for diagnosing and visualizing synchronous relationships between objects in industrial plants, particularly in distributed control environments, where high processing speeds lead to frequent changes in active synchronizations that are difficult to track and understand.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for graphical representation of synchronous relationships using an analysis tool that analyzes user programs for objects and their relationships, records trace data, and uses a preparation center to display these relationships over time, including a time slider for interactive visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high processing speeds are used in control programs, then productivity is improved, but the frequency of changes in active synchronizations increases, making them difficult to track and diagnose
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary recording of synchronization states at defined time instants before analysis. The analysis tool captures and stores synchronization data in advance, creating a historical record that can be examined later without interrupting the high-speed processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The analysis tool creates a copy of the synchronization states at specific time points. Instead of trying to track continuous changes at high speed, the system captures snapshots (copies) of the synchronization relationships, which can then be analyzed graphically without affecting the real-time processing speed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If distributed control devices are used to control multiple drives, then adaptability is improved, but the complexity of visualizing synchronous relationships across devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The analysis tool merges synchronization data from multiple distributed control devices into a single unified graphical representation. By combining the data streams and presenting them together in one visualization, the system maintains the adaptability of distributed control while reducing the perceived complexity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The analysis tool acts as an intermediary between the distributed control devices and the user. It collects data from multiple devices, processes and correlates the synchronization relationships, and presents a simplified graphical view, thereby mediating the complexity between the distributed system and the end user.
3Measurement precision
If detailed trace data is recorded for all objects, then measurement precision is improved, but the quantity of data to be processed and displayed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The analysis tool extracts only the relevant synchronization data from the complete trace data at specific time instants. Instead of processing and displaying all trace data, the system selectively extracts synchronization-related information, maintaining measurement precision for critical parameters while reducing the overall data volume that needs to be handled.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial recording by capturing synchronization states at selected time instants rather than continuously recording all data. This partial action approach maintains sufficient precision for diagnostic purposes while significantly reducing the quantity of data that must be stored and processed.
Data Source
AI summary
An industrial plant and method for graphically representing synchronous relationships, wherein the industrial plant includes a first control device in which a first user program executes, a second control device in which a second user program executes, and a plurality of drives which are controlled and/or regulated by the user programs, where objects are assigned to the drives in the user programs, synchronous relationships exist between the objects, the user programs have a plurality of different flow structures which have an influence on the synchronous relationships between the objects such that a synchronous relationship is either an active synchronous relationship or an inactive synchronous relationships, and where an apparatus for graphical representation of synchronous relationships is provided between the objects to simplify diagnosis of synchronous operations.