Mobile function block for a PLC based distributed control system
AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft
InventorsYan Lu, George Lo, Dong Wei
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and architectures are described that provide function block mobility between PLCs. Each PLC configured with Mobile Function Blocks (MFBs) may forward and execute MFBs from each other. To enable MFB mobility over a communication bus, each PLC having one or more configured MFBs requires a Communication Function Block (CFB) and an MFB directory data block. Each PLC maintains an MFB directory data block to store its MFB directory which is used when other PLCs send requests to check the availability of MFBs they need to run new tasks.
Claims23
A system for configuring a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) to execute a program having function block mobility that controls a controlled component comprising:
- a PLC component for defining the functional capability of a component controlled by the PLC as a program comprised of one or more function blocks;
- a PLC component for configuring one or more function blocks that can be commonly used as Mobile Function Blocks (MFBs);
- a PLC component for generating an MFB directory data block, wherein the MFB directory data block cross references an MFB with a task list identity (ID);
- a PLC component for configuring a Communication Function Block (CFB), wherein the CFB manages the forwarding and receiving of MFBs between PLCs;
- a PLC component for programming the PLC based on the functional capability operating sequence;
- and
- a PLC component for downloading the program into the PLC.
A method for configuring a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) to execute a program having function block mobility that controls a controlled component comprising:
- defining the functional capability of a component controlled by the PLC as a program comprised of one or more function blocks;
- configuring one or more function blocks that can be commonly used as Mobile Function Blocks (MFBs);
- generating an MFB directory data block, wherein the MFB directory data block cross references an MFB with a task list identity (ID);
- configuring a Communication Function Block (CFB), wherein the CFB manages the forwarding and receiving of MFBs between PLCs;
- programming the PLC based on the functional capability operating sequence;
- and
- downloading the program into the PLC.
A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) that executes a program having function block mobility that controls a controlled component comprising:
- a program configured to define the functional capability of a component controlled by the PLC that includes one or more function blocks configured to be commonly used as Mobile Function Blocks (MFBs);
- an MFB directory data block that cross references task identification (ID), Function Block (FB) and MFBs, and FB and MFB memory requirements;
- and
- a Communication Function Block (CFB) configured to receive task list requests from other PLCs and manage the forwarding and receiving of MFBs between PLCs, check the task IDs in the PLC's MFB directory data block and required memory for each MFB, and after receiving any needed MFBs, to update the PLC's MFB directory data block reflecting the added MFBs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.