Streaming data for analytics in process control systems

A method of streaming data in a process control system, the method comprising:

• storing a first set of metadata in a device operable to transmit a data stream;
• collecting a set of data for transmitting as the data stream;
• buffering the set of collected data;
• transmitting the first set of metadata to a device operable to receive the data stream;
• and
• transmitting the data stream to the device operable to receive the data stream, wherein no further metadata are transmitted unless a trigger event causes the device operable to transmit the data stream to transmit additional metadata.

A method for receiving a data stream in a process control system, the method comprising:

• receiving a first set of metadata from a device operable to transmit the data stream;
• receiving the data stream after receiving the first set of metadata;
• parsing the received data stream according to the first set of metadata;
• and
• continuing to receive streamed data as long as the data stream can be parsed according to the first set of metadata.

An apparatus in a process control system, the apparatus comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory communicatively coupled to the processor and storing a set of metadata;
• a data source providing data to the apparatus;
• a queuing routine executing on the processor to buffer data received from the data source;
• a data streaming routine executing on the processor and cooperating with a communication device to:
• transmit the stored set of metadata to a receiving device;
• assemble the buffered data into a data stream according to the stored set of metadata;
• and
• transmit the data stream to the receiving device.

An apparatus for receiving a stream of big data in a process control system, the apparatus comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory communicatively coupled to the processor;
• a non-transitory memory device;
• a receiver operable to:
• receive a set of metadata;
• receive a data stream;
• parse the data stream according to the set of metadata;
• process data according to the parsing;
• continue to receive and process data as long as the data stream can be parsed according to the first set of metadata.