Engineering Tool Coordination for Multi-Format Control Program Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial plants, the inefficiency in engineering control programs arises from the need for different logic and data formats for various control devices, requiring separate engineering tools and decreasing program efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An engineering tool coordination device and method that assimilates differences in data formats and control logics among engineering tools and plant control devices, enabling coordinated engineering of control programs through data conversion and test request format adaptation, facilitating efficient program creation and testing across diverse systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different engineering tools are prepared for each control device type, then compatibility with specific control devices is improved, but engineering efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal engineering tool that can handle multiple control device types through data format conversion. The system includes a data format conversion unit that transforms data between different formats, allowing a single engineering tool to work with various control devices (PLC, DCS, PAC) without requiring separate tools for each device type, thereby improving engineering efficiency while maintaining compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a data format conversion unit as an intermediary component between the engineering tool and control devices. This mediator handles the translation between different data formats and control logics, enabling the engineering tool to interact with multiple control device types without direct customization for each device, thus resolving the contradiction between universality and adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If data format conversion is implemented, then versatility across different control devices is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data format conversion unit serves as a dedicated intermediary that handles all format translation operations. By centralizing the conversion functionality in a separate module, the system manages complexity effectively - the conversion logic is isolated and can be maintained independently, while the main engineering tool remains simple and universal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the engineering tool into distinct functional units: a data acquisition unit, a data format conversion unit, and a control logic execution unit. This segmentation allows each component to have a specific, simplified function, reducing overall system complexity while enabling versatile data format handling through the specialized conversion unit
Data Source
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AI summary
An engineering tool coordination device includes a first tool interface configured to acquire first data having a first data format usable to an engineering tool, a data converter configured to convert the first data into second data usable to the control program, the second data having a second data format, a program provider configured to provide the second data to the control program, a second tool interface configured to acquire a first test request having a first test request format from the engineering tool, a test converter configured to convert the first test request into a second test request executable in the control program, the second test request having a second test request format, and a test manager configured to cause to execute an operation test program in the control program and to operate an operation test using the second data on a basis of the second test request.