Method and a tool for allocating computational resources in a distributed control system
AssigneeABB Research Ltd.
InventorsAlexander Fay, Fabrizio Lorito, Stefano Poretta, Rolf Vahldieck, Peter Wendt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention concerns method and a tool for designing an optimal hardware structure of a process control system and configuring a given control function onto the optimal hardware structure of the process control system. The method and the tool of the invention comprises three main parts that can be used in conjunction or be used separately together with other solutions for the remaining part or parts of the system.
Claims38
1-27. (canceled)
A method for designing and distributing a process control system, wherein the control system comprises a software structure and a hardware structure including components comprising field devices, controllers, linking devices, the method comprising:
- using a predefined complete control function and searching a software library comprising computational capability and description characteristics of hardware components and automatically designing an optimal hardware structure for the process control system;
- automatic generation of executable code and configuration of the complete control function on to the designed optimal process control hardware structure;
- and
- automatic assignment of HW addresses and configuration of the linking devices.
A method for automatic design of an optimal hardware structure for a given control function for a process control system, the method comprising:
- using the given control function and searching a software library comprising computational capability and description characteristics of hardware components;
- and
- automatically designing an optimal hardware structure for the process control system responsive to the search results.
A method for automatic distribution of a given control function onto a given hardware structure of a process control system, the method comprising automatically generating and distributing executable code of the given control function on to the given process control hardware structure.
A method for implementing a communication function for a given control function for a given process control hardware structure, the method comprising automatically assigning HW addresses and configuring linking devices.
A method for designing and configuring a process control system in operation after a failure of a component, wherein the control system comprises a complete control function, a software structure and a hardware structure including components including field devices, controllers, linking devices, the method comprising:
- automatically detecting a failure of a hardware component;
- and
- using the complete control function and searching a software library comprising computational capability and description characteristics of hardware components;
- automatically designing a new optimal hardware structure for the process control system excluding the failed hardware component;
- automatically generating executable code that distributes the control function to the new hardware structure;
- and
- automatically assigning HW addresses to new components of the hardware structure and configuring the linking devices.
A computer-implemented device for defining and configuring computational resources in a process control system, wherein the control system comprises a software structure and a hardware structure including field devices, controllers, and linking devices, the tool comprising:
- a software library comprising computational capability and description characteristics of hardware components useful to automatically design an optimal hardware structure for a given process control function;
- an automatic tool starting from the complete control function that searches the software library and automatically designs an optimal hardware structure for the process control system;
- a distribution tool that automatically generates executable code and configuration of the complete control function on to the designed optimal process control hardware structure;
- and
- a tool that automatically assigns HW addresses and configuration of the linking devices.
A system for automatic design of an optimal hardware structure for a given control function for a process control system, the automatic design system comprising:
- an automatic tool, wherein the automatic tool uses the given control function and searches a software library comprising computational capability and description characteristics of hardware components, and automatically designs an optimal hardware structure for the process control system responsive to search results.
An apparatus for automatic distribution of a given control function onto a given hardware structure of a process control system, the apparatus comprising a distribution tool that automatically generates executable code and distributes the given control function on to the given process control hardware structure.
An apparatus means for implementing a communication function for a given control function for a given process control hardware structure, the apparatus comprising tool that automatically assigns HW addresses and configuration of linking devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.