Method for engineering and simulating an automation system via digital twins
AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft
InventorBenjamin Lutz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for engineering an automation system that is usually tested before being put into operation, wherein a “twin” or a virtual component is generated and loaded onto a server for each real component to perform the function of the real components in a simulated manner in place of said real components, such that it is thus possible for a user to replace various real components with virtual components during the engineering process and to check or simulate the function of the automation system, where it becomes possible to perform a synchronous optimization of automation systems or to put automation programs and system displays into operation in a coexistent, safe, flexible, and incremental manner.
Claims12
A method for engineering an automation system for controlling a process in a technical plant, the automation system comprising a plurality of hardware components for performing display, operating and automation functions, said plurality of hardware components being interconnected via communication systems, the method comprising:
- virtualizing, generating a digital twin which coexists with at least one real hardware component, instantiating and logically connecting said at least one real hardware component with other virtual or real components, said virtualizing, generating the digital twin which coexists with said at least one real hardware component, instantiating and logically connecting occurring in parallel with engineering of the at least one real hardware component which occurs independently of operation of the technical plant;
- and
- distributing generated virtual components arbitrarily onto servers of the automation system such that the generated virtual components are configured, optimized and monitored by at least one client and such that, during the engineering of the at least one real hardware component occurring independently of the operation of the technical plant, switching between real components and virtual components to perform changes becomes possible.
An automation system for controlling a process in a technical plant, the automation system comprising:
- a plurality of hardware components for performing display and operating functions and automation functions, said plurality of hardware components being interconnected via communication systems,
- an engineering server for configuring each of the plurality of hardware components;
- and
- at least one further server;
- wherein the servers are configured to:
- virtualize, generate a digital twin which coexists with at least one real hardware component, instantiate and logically connect said at least one real hardware component with other virtual or real components, said virtualization, generation of the digital twin which coexists with said at least one real hardware component, instantiation and logical connection occurring in parallel with engineering of the at least one real hardware component which occurs independently of operation of the technical plant;
- and
- distribute generated virtual components arbitrarily onto servers of the automation system such that the generated virtual components are configured, optimized and monitored by at least one client and such that, during the engineering of the at least one real hardware component occurring independently of the operation of the technical plant, switching between real components and virtual components to perform changes becomes possible.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.