Wireless Transmission Status Feedback for Industrial Process Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication protocols in industrial automation, such as EtherCAT and ProfiNet, assume reliable and delay-free data transmission, which is not applicable to wireless data transmission, leading to latency issues and impacting deterministic behavior in industrial process control.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that provide status information about wireless data transmission to a remote controller, using a first interface for communication with a wireless network and a second interface compliant with industrial process communication protocols, allowing real-time monitoring and processing of data frame transmission states to support reliable control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless data transmission is used to control industrial processes remotely, then controller deployment flexibility and network coverage are improved, but transmission reliability and determinism deteriorate due to packet loss, jitter, and latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the remote controller receives status information about data frame transmission states from the wireless network. This feedback loop allows the controller to monitor transmission quality in real-time and adapt its control actions accordingly, compensating for wireless transmission uncertainties while maintaining deployment flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing robust communication protocols and status monitoring mechanisms before actual industrial control operations begin. The remote controller is pre-configured to handle wireless transmission variations, ensuring reliable operation despite the inherently less deterministic wireless medium.
2Ease of operation
If existing industrial communication protocols (EtherCAT, ProfiNet) are used for wireless transmission, then protocol compatibility and ease of integration are improved, but transmission determinism and real-time performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the wireless transmission medium and the industrial control protocol. This intermediary handles status information about data frame transmission states, allowing existing protocols like EtherCAT and ProfiNet to operate over wireless media while maintaining their deterministic behavior through additional monitoring and compensation mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the controller stops the whole industrial process upon transmission problems, then process safety is improved, but productivity and system availability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling the remote controller to respond differently to transmission problems based on their severity and context. Instead of a blanket stop-action, the controller can compensate for minor transmission issues while only halting critical operations when necessary, thus maintaining productivity while ensuring safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its response to transmission problems based on real-time status information. The controller can switch between compensation mode and stop mode depending on the nature and severity of transmission issues, optimizing both safety and productivity dynamically rather than using fixed responses.
Data Source
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AI summary
A technique for providing status information relating to a wireless data transmission that is used to control an industrial process by a remote controller is presented, wherein the remote controller is coupled to a field device of the industrial process via a wireless communication network supporting the wireless data transmission. An apparatus implementation of the technique comprises a first interface configured to be coupled to one of a user equipment, a radio access network and a core network of the wireless communication network, and a second interface compliant with an industrial process communication protocol used for communication between the remote controller and the at least one first field device. The apparatus is configured to receive the status information via the first interface and provide the status information, or information derived therefrom, via the second interface towards the remote controller.