Virtual Field Device Platform for Remote Analytics Upgrades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Field devices in hazardous environments face challenges in upgrading or updating complex functionalities due to design constraints and limited power and data bandwidth, making it difficult to incorporate advanced diagnostic and analytic features.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing high-speed communication protocols like Ethernet APL to transmit raw sensor data to a virtual analytics platform in the cloud, enabling advanced diagnostics, analytics, and functionality updates without physical access, and allowing for time-synchronized data processing and licensing of enhanced features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If field devices incorporate sophisticated hardware and firmware for complex measurement and communication routines, then measurement and communication capabilities are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of upgrading increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a host system as an intermediary that performs complex measurement, communication, and diagnostic processing. The field device is simplified to contain only the sensor and basic interface, while the host system handles sophisticated routines including raw data processing, analytics, and communication protocols. This resolves the contradiction by transferring complexity from the field device to the host system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts complex processing functions from the field device and places them in the host system. Specifically, raw measurement data processing, diagnostic analytics, and communication protocols are removed from the field device firmware and implemented in the host system software, thereby simplifying the field device while maintaining advanced capabilities.
2Reliability
If field devices are deployed in hazardous environments with intrinsic safety requirements, then safety is improved, but ability to physically access and update devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The host system acts as an intermediary for device configuration and updates. Instead of requiring physical access to the field device for firmware updates or configuration changes, the simplified field device communicates with the host system which handles all complex operations remotely. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for physical access while maintaining safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The field device is designed to operate autonomously with simplified functionality, continuously transmitting raw data to the host system without requiring physical intervention. The device can be remotely configured and updated through the host system, enabling self-service operation in hazardous environments where physical access is difficult or dangerous.
3Adaptability or versatility
If legacy field communication protocols are used, then compatibility with existing systems is improved, but power and data bandwidth are insufficient for advanced functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts complex communication and data processing from the field device and performs it in the host system. The field device uses simple communication protocols to transmit raw data, while the host system handles sophisticated data processing, analytics, and protocol conversions. This resolves the contradiction by reducing power requirements at the field device while maintaining advanced functionality through host-based processing.
4Loss of energy
If field devices filter and process raw measurement data locally, then communication bandwidth requirements are reduced, but important features of raw data are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by having the field device transmit raw unprocessed data to the host system, which then performs filtering and processing. This resolves the contradiction by preserving all raw data features for advanced analytics while using efficient communication protocols to transmit the data. The host system applies intelligent filtering and processing algorithms that can extract more value from the raw data than traditional field-based processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for modifying a virtual field device is provided. The system includes a processor having memory that when executed causes the processor to provide a virtual field device selection user interface element configured to receive user selection of a virtual field device. The processor also provides a modification user interface element configured to receive user selection of at least one modification relative to the selected virtual field device. The processor also provides an execute updated virtual field device user interface element configured to receive user input and responsively execute the updated virtual field device. A computer-implemented method of modifying a virtual field device is also provided. A system for creating a time-synchronized virtual field device is also provided.