DE102011005062A1 - Method for providing data from field device in automation system, arranged on network, involves instantiating an additional application-specific data, in automation/integration platform and making the data available to remote client - Google Patents

Abstract

The access to field device (2) is carried out via a field access unit (4) in the automation/integration platform (5) and a server (6) of a service provider is set in communication with the field device. A generic-type preconfigured data record of the field device is specified at the field device, in real-time. An option to extend the preconfigured data set to the customer is accessed, such that an additional application-specific data generated by customer is instantiated in the automation/integration platform and is made available to a remotely located client.

Description

The invention relates to a method for providing data of a field device, which is arranged in a network of automation technology, wherein the network consists of several distributed in an automation system arranged field devices, which are connected to each other via at least one data bus on which a bus protocol, and wherein the access to the field devices via at least one field access unit, which communicates with at least one automation / integration platform and at least one server of a service provider. The data is used for example for display, for configuration or parameterization and / or for diagnostic purposes.

In automation technology, in particular in process automation technology, field devices are often used which serve to detect and / or influence process variables. Sensors that are used, for example, in level gauges, flowmeters, pressure and temperature measuring devices, pH redox potential measuring devices, conductivity meters, etc., which record the respective process variables level, flow, pressure, temperature, pH or conductivity, are used to record process variables. To influence process variables are actuators, such as valves or pumps, via which the flow of a liquid in a pipe section or the level in a container can be changed. In principle, field devices are all devices that are used close to the process and that provide or process process-relevant information. In the context of the invention, field devices are thus also understood as remote I / Os, radio adapters or general devices which are arranged on the field level. A variety of such field devices is manufactured and sold by the company Endress + Hauser.

In modern industrial plants, communication between at least one master control unit and the field devices usually have a bus system such as Profibus ^® PA, Foundation Fieldbus, or HART ^{® ®.} The bus systems can be designed both wired and wireless. The higher-level control unit is used for process control, process visualization, process monitoring and commissioning and operation of the field devices and is also referred to as a configuration / management system. Programs that run independently on higher-level units include, for example, the FieldCare operating group from Endress + Hauser, the Pactware operating tool, the Fisher-Rosemount AMS operating tool or the Siemens PDM operating tool. Operator tools integrated into control system applications include Siemens' PCS7, ABB's Symphony, and Emerson's Delta V. The term 'operation of field devices' is understood to mean in particular the configuration and parameterization of field devices, but also the diagnosis for the early detection of errors on one of the field devices or in the process.

The integration of field devices in configuration / management systems is usually done via device descriptions which ensure that the configuration / management systems can recognize and interpret the data supplied by the field devices. The device descriptions for each field device type or for each field device type in different applications are usually provided by the respective device manufacturer. In order for the field devices to be integrated into different fieldbus systems, different device descriptions for the different fieldbus systems have to be created. So there are - to name just a few examples - HART, Fieldbus Foundation and Profibus device descriptions. The number of device descriptions is very large, since it corresponds to the large number of different field devices or field device types in the different applications and bus systems.

Usually, the device descriptions must be stored in the respective configuration / management system.

To create a common descriptive language for the field devices, the Fieldbus Foundation (FF), the HART Communication Foundation (HCF) and the Profibus User Organization (PNO) have created a single electronic device description language (EDDL). The EDDL or the corresponding Electronic Device Description EDD is defined in the standard IEC 61804-2.

The integration of the field devices in the configuration / management systems takes place online after installation of the field device in the automation system by means of a DCS, a PLC, a notebook or other hand-held tool. It has also become known to perform the integration offline via a configuration / management system and then integrate the field device in the automation system.

The number of parameterization / configuration data of modern digital field devices is u. U. very large, diverse and depending on the application in which the field device is used, very different or heterogeneous. In order to make handling by trained service personnel even feasible, the already mentioned special software tools and technologies such as device descriptions (eg EDD: Electronic Device Description) and device drivers (DTM: Device Type Manager), the latter preferably being based on the FDT standard (FDT: Field Device Tool). Incidentally, a further development of the FDT standard is the FDI standard.

Moreover, in order to be able to assign the parameterization / configuration data to different application systems, such as PAM systems (PAM: Plant Asset Management), a special engineering and a special configuration is necessary. The reason for this is that in many cases device and / or customer-specific parameters are used in particular for condition monitoring applications.

Furthermore, own and individual generic data or master data are used in different customer applications that the field devices z. B. for asset management applications must be assigned accordingly. At this time, it is not possible to automatically run a data mapping between a server and the corresponding customer application.

• – Der Engineerings- und Konfigurationsaufwand ist relativ hoch und erfordert darüber hinaus spezielle Software-Tools, die über Cloud basierte Internetanwendungen nicht ohne weiteres zugänglich sind. Der Begriff ”Engineering einer Automatisierungsanlage” ist ein Standardbegriff. Er ist sehr weit zu verstehen und umfasst im Prinzip alle zu treffenden Maßnahmen (Projektieren, Konfigurieren, ...), die das Funktionieren der einzelnen Komponenten und deren konsistentes Zusammenspiel im Projekt betreffen.
• – Üblicherweise sind die bekannten Lösungen kundenspezifisch, also proprietär, und somit nicht standardisiert.
• – Es ist sehr aufwändig, die unterschiedlichen Daten und Informationen zusammenzuführen: So sind diese teilweise nur über unterschiedliche Bezugsquellen im Internet oder auch nur über Printmedien, wie Papier, verfügbar. Hinzu kommt, dass oftmals Spezialtools und Spezialkenntnisse benötigt werden, um die Daten von einer übergeordneten Steuereinheit auszulesen.
• – Standard OPC Server stellen Ihre Daten und Informationen nur zur Verfügung, wenn sie zuvor entsprechend engineered und programmiert werden.
• – Die Semantik von Daten, insbesondere von Parametrier-/Konfigurierdaten, ist für den normalen Internetnutzer ohne entsprechende Konfigurationen nicht zugänglich.

The disadvantages of the known solutions are in particular the following:

• - The engineering and configuration effort is relatively high and also requires special software tools that are not easily accessible via cloud-based Internet applications. The term "engineering of an automation system" is a standard term. It is to be understood very broadly and basically includes all measures to be taken (projecting, configuring, etc.) that affect the functioning of the individual components and their consistent interaction in the project.
• - Usually, the known solutions are customized, so proprietary, and thus not standardized.
• - It is very time-consuming to bring together the different data and information: in some cases, these are only available through different sources of supply on the Internet or even via print media, such as paper. In addition, special tools and specialized knowledge are often needed to read the data from a higher-level control unit.
• - Standard OPC servers provide your data and information only if they have been previously engineered and programmed accordingly.
• - The semantics of data, in particular of parameterization / configuration data, is not accessible to the normal Internet user without corresponding configurations.

The invention has for its object to automatically make a customer or application-specific adaptation of a field device associated preconfigured record.

• – zu dem Feldgerät wird ein vorkonfigurierter Datensatz, bestehend aus generischen das Feldgerät beschreibenden Daten, vorgegeben – wobei der vorkonfigurierte Datensatz üblicherweise von dem Feldgeräte-hersteller vorgegeben wird;
• – die Automatisierungs-/Integrations-Plattform stellt in Echtzeit zumindest eine Option zur Erweiterung des vorkonfigurierten Datensatzes um kunden- bzw. anwendungsspezifische Daten zur Verfügung;
• – es wird auf die Option zur Erweiterung des vorkonfigurierten Datensatzes zugegriffen und die kunden- bzw. anwendungsspezifischen Zusatzdaten generiert;
• – die Zusatzdaten werden in der Automatisierungs-/Integrations-Plattform instanziiert;
• – der durch die Zusatzdaten erweiterte Datensatz wird einem entfernt angeordneten Client zur Verfügung gestellt.

The object is achieved by a method comprising the following method steps:

• - To the field device, a preconfigured data set, consisting of generic data describing the field device, specified - wherein the preconfigured data set is usually specified by the field device manufacturer;
• The automation / integration platform provides, in real time, at least one option for expanding the preconfigured data record with customer or application-specific data;
• - the option for expanding the preconfigured data record is accessed and the customer-specific or application-specific additional data is generated;
• - the additional data is instantiated in the automation / integration platform;
• The data set extended by the additional data is made available to a remote client.

Normally, the server will be a Web server, with a client addressing the Web server from a computer connected to the Internet via a browser. In addition, however, it is also possible that if the automation / integration platform is an OPC UA server, an OPC UA client accesses the platform directly. As already mentioned, the server is preferably a web server, but in principle any type of server can be used in connection with the method according to the invention. Examples include an FTP server or an email server called.

• – Die Automatisierungs-/Integrations-Plattform verbindet sich bevorzugt automatisch mit den an sie angeschlossenen Feldgeräten, die in der Automatisierungsanlage angeordnet sind, und identifiziert die angeschlossenen Feldgeräte über den vorkonfigurierten Datensatz, der den Feldgeräten zugeordnet ist. Bei den Daten dieses vorkonfigurierten Datensatzes handelt es sich bevorzugt um sog. generische, die einzelnen Feldgeräte beschreibenden Daten bzw. Masterdaten, wie z. B. Parametrier- oder Konfigurierdaten oder standardisierte Diagnosedaten. Diese generischen Daten bzw. Masterdaten spiegeln Daten wider, die für Standardanwendungen üblicherweise ausreichend sind.
• – Der Server liefert zumindest eine allgemeine Erweiterungsoption, die zusätzliche kunden- oder anwendungsspezifische Erweiterungen des vorkonfigurierten Datensatzes ermöglicht. Typische Beispiele hierfür sind die kundenspezifische Erweiterungsoption ”AddClient Registration”, also ”Ergänze eine kundenspezifische Registrierung” oder ”AddDynamic Variable”, also ”Ergänze eine dynamische Variable”. Die Ergänzungen können dann für spezielle Parameter bzw. Daten über eine vorgegebene Semantik in Echtzeit eingefügt werden.
• – Um beispielsweise einen Identifizierungscode des Nutzers oder Anwenders oder spezielle Diagnose- oder Parametrier-/Konfigurierdaten in den vorkonfigurierten Datensatz von generischen Daten bzw. Masterdaten, die von dem WebServer aus instanziierbar sind, einzufügen, können die Erweiterungen bzw. die Ergänzungen mittels einer üblichen Internet-Schnittstelle (z. B. die Software W@M Enterprise, ein Produkt der E + H Gruppe) und/oder von einem üblichen ERP System eingegeben werden. Somit hat der Anwender bzw. der Kunde die Möglichkeit, den vorkonfigurierten Datensatz in dem Server, insbesondere dem WebServer, so anzupassen, dass er in Übereinstimmung mit der vorgegebenen Syntax und Semantik ist. Zur Erklärung des Begriffs ERP sei Folgendes gesagt: Unter ERP ”Enterprise Resource Planning” also ”Planung des Einsatzes/der Verwendung der Unternehmensressourcen” wird die unternehmerische Aufgabe verstanden, die in einem Unternehmen vorhandenen Ressourcen, wie Kapital, Betriebsmittel oder Personal, möglichst effizient für den betrieblichen Ablauf einzusetzen und somit die Steuerung der Geschäftsprozesse zu optimieren. Unter einem ERP-System versteht man eine komplexe Anwendungssoftware zur Unterstützung der Ressourcenplanung eines gesamten Unternehmens. Hierbei setzen die Anbieter immer mehr auf webbasierte Produkte. Insbesondere wird in diesem Zusammenhang die System-Oberfläche in einem Browser-Fenster dargestellt. Dies bietet unter anderem die Möglichkeit, auch unternehmensexterne Zugriffe auf das eigene System zu realisieren, ohne eine zusätzliche grafische Benutzeroberfläche installieren zu müssen. Daher können Lieferanten oder Kunden direkt in die Geschäftsprozesse einbezogen werden, um z. B. Bestellungen aufzugeben, Lieferungen zu terminieren, etc. Diese Möglichkeiten bedeuten einen wesentlichen Zeit- und damit Kostenvorteil. Beispiele für bekannte ERP Systeme sind SAP ERP oder Oracle E-Business Suite.

The advantages of the solution according to the invention are the following:

• The automation / integration platform preferably connects automatically to the field devices connected to it, which are arranged in the automation system, and identifies the connected field devices via the preconfigured data record which is assigned to the field devices. The data of this preconfigured data set are preferably so-called generic data describing the individual field devices or master data, such as data. As parameterization or configuration data or standardized diagnostic data. These generic data or master data reflect data that is usually sufficient for standard applications.
• The server provides at least one general extension option that allows additional customer or application specific extensions of the preconfigured data set. Typical examples of this are the customer-specific extension option "AddClient Registration", ie "Add a customer-specific registration" or "AddDynamic Variable", ie "Add a dynamic variable". The additions can then be inserted in real time for specific parameters or data over a given semantics.
• In order to insert, for example, an identification code of the user or user or special diagnostic or parameterization / configuration data into the preconfigured data set of generic data or master data that can be instantiated by the web server, the extensions or additions can be made by means of a conventional Internet Interface (eg the software W @ M Enterprise, a product of the E + H Group) and / or entered by a standard ERP system. Thus, the user or the customer has the opportunity to adapt the preconfigured record in the server, in particular the Web server, so that it is in accordance with the given syntax and semantics. To explain the term ERP, the following is said: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is understood as the entrepreneurial task of maximizing the efficiency of resources available to a company, such as capital, equipment or personnel to use the operational procedure and thus to optimize the control of the business processes. An ERP system is a complex application software that supports the resource planning of an entire enterprise. Here, the providers are increasingly relying on web-based products. In particular, in this context, the system interface is displayed in a browser window. Among other things, this offers the possibility to realize external access to your own system without having to install an additional graphical user interface. Therefore, suppliers or customers can be directly involved in the business processes, for For example, placing orders, scheduling deliveries, etc. These options mean a significant time and cost advantage. Examples of known ERP systems are SAP ERP or Oracle E-Business Suite.

Some further explanations of the terms used in connection with the method according to the invention are given below:
Cloud computing is a term used in information technology and primarily refers to the approach of making abstracted IT infrastructures, ready-made program packages and programming environments dynamically adapted to the needs via a network, in particular via the Internet.

In order to provide cloud co-muting web services, the service provider offers, for example, appropriate software via which a request can be made and transmitted to the responsible office.

The data bus is at least in the area between the automation / integration platform and the server to the Internet and / or an intranet, preferably using standardized bus protocols. Field access unit and field devices usually communicate via a common in automation fieldbuses. Corresponding field buses are mentioned as examples in the introduction to the description. Furthermore, it is provided that the communication can take place directly on the Internet or intranet down to the field level in which the field devices are arranged.

The automation / integration platform is preferably an OPC-UA server containing server logic and a logical machine. Server logic and logical machine pass the pre-configured data set describing the field device according to a well-defined information / logic model for a defined type of field device. An OPC server or an OPC UA server offers the possibility of providing industrial bus systems and protocols with a universal means of communication. It is used when sensors, controllers and controllers (field devices) from different manufacturers (or the same manufacturer) form a common network. With OPC, it is sufficient to create an OPC-compliant device driver for each field device, as defined in more detail in the introduction to the description, which can then be integrated into any control and monitoring system without great adaptation effort.

In the not pre-published on 06.10.2009 by the applicant under the application number DE 10 2009 045 386.5 filed with the German Patent Office patent application, an arrangement is described in which a field access unit or a fieldbus interface is designed so that it continuously monitors the traffic on the fieldbus. The field access unit thus has a listener functionality. Therefore, the fieldbus interface, without itself actively communicating, can collect a variety of information, which concern the network management of the automation system.

In the context of the present invention, the field access unit also has at least the task of monitoring the communication on the fieldbus or on the Internet or intranet bus (eg Ethernet IP); So it has the so-called Listener function. In the event that the communication between the automation / integration platform and the server takes place via different bus protocols, the field access unit continues to have the function of translating the protocols; In this case, the field access unit additionally fulfills a so-called protocol conversion function or a so-called gateway function. The field access unit and the OPC UA server or the automation / integration platform are either two separate components, or the two components form a unit.

The service provider preferably connects to the field access unit via the automation / integration platform whenever he receives service provider notification of a change in the data bus segment or in the network.

The invention will be apparent from the following 1 explained in more detail. 1 shows a network 7 automation technology, as may be used in connection with the present invention. In the 1 are beyond the individual steps of the method according to the invention with the numbers 1 - 4 (in a circle).

The network 8th is in the automation system 1 arranged and used, for example, the control and monitoring of a running in the automation system process. The network 8th includes several distributed field devices 2 , which in the case shown by a common in automation fieldbus 3 on the z. B. one of the previously specified bus protocols running, are interconnected. Access to the field devices 2 takes place via the field access unit 4 , which is preferably a so-called. PAP - a Plant Access Point - is. The operation of the field access unit 4 or the PAP 4 has already been explained in detail before.

The field access unit 4 is with an automation / integration platform 5 connected. Both components 4 . 5 are formed either as separate components or as a unit. The communication between the field access unit 4 and a web server 6 A service provider uses the automation / integration platform 5 , which is preferably an OPC UA Server (OLE for Process Control United Architecture), and the Internet 7 , As already mentioned above, is also - with appropriate design of the field devices 2 - direct access to the field devices 2 via internet possible. In general, the communication can be both wired and wireless via radio.

To each of the field devices 2 includes a data set preconfigured by the device manufacturer. The preconfigured data record corresponds, for example, to an electronic device description EDD or a device driver DTM that has been created, for example, according to the FDT standard. This record consists of generic, the field device 2 at least in its basic functionality completely descriptive data. This data is in the form of a generic virtual image of the field device 2 usually from the service provider via the web server 6 especially in the form of a database. As I said, the virtual image describes that in the automation system 1 located or to be integrated field device 2 fully in terms of its field device and or application specific characteristics.

Often, there is a desire for a user to add additional customer and / or application specific information to the existing preconfigured record. For example, the customer wants to supplement a missing variable, such as the impedance of the glass electrode in the case of a pH meter. Another additional information may be the quality or quality of the measurements carried out, which in particular allows a statement about future maintenance. Likewise, the information to be supplemented may be an identification code of the user of the automation system 1 act.

So far, it was necessary for this that trained service personnel this extension on site in the automation system 1 or at the automation / integration platform 5 via the field access unit 4 performs. It goes without saying that this is a rather time-consuming process and, moreover, it takes some time for the additional information to be added to the preconfigured data set. In any case, such a procedure could not be carried out in real time so far.

According to the invention, the following method is used: Under the method step 1 (in the circle) becomes a corresponding additional variable with the name "MyMonitoring Value" for the relevant field device 2 inserted. The corresponding database is called via one of the field access units 4 or the automation / integration platform 5 assigned input / display unit. For a selected field device 2 would like the Customer or the user to extend the existing preconfigured record by an additional variable "MyMonitoring Value". In addition to the name of the variables to be supplemented, he also bears the in 1 represented parameters: Slot, Index and Type one, which characterize the variable in more detail. For the purpose of inserting the additional variables, the customer or user sets himself via the Internet with the field access unit 4 or the automation / integration platform 5 in connection.

According to process step 2 (in a circle) represents the automation / integration platform 5 in real time an option to extend the preconfigured data set by customer- or application-specific data available. In the case shown, this is the option "AddDynamic Variable". Like in the 1 The information about the additional variable "MyMonitoring Value" is provided in the form of an XML file.

Under the process step 3 (in a circle), the additional variable is inserted in the address field of the preconfigured data record. The automation / integration platform continues to build 5 a connection to the web server 6 of the service provider. In the web server 6 The service provider will make available additional data beyond the preconfigured data record, which will then be provided by the web server 6 can be instantiated. The dataset extended with additional information will be provided via cloud computing web services or internet based services of the automation / integration platform 5 provided so that the preconfigured record can be completed by the additional data in a simple manner application-specific or customer-specific. This is shown schematically over the process step 4 (in a circle).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

automation system

2

field device

3

fieldbus

4

Field access unit

5

Automation / integration platform

6

WebServer

7

Internet / Intranet

8th

network

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102009045386 [0020]

Claims (7)

Method for providing data of a field device which is stored in a network ( 9 ) of the automation technology is arranged, wherein the network ( 8th ) from several in an automation system ( 1 ) distributed field devices ( 2 ), which via at least one data bus ( 3 ; 7 ), on which a bus protocol is running, are interconnected, whereby the access to the field devices ( 2 ) via at least one field access unit ( 4 ) with at least one automation / integration platform ( 5 ) and at least one server ( 6 ) of a service provider, to the field device ( 2 ) a preconfigured data set consisting of generic, the field device ( 2 descriptive data, the automation / integration platform ( 5 ) provides in real time at least one option for expanding the preconfigured data record by customer or application-specific data, wherein the option for expanding the preconfigured data record is accessed and the customer- or application-specific additional data is generated, wherein the additional data in the automation / Integration platform ( 5 ), and wherein the data set extended by the additional data is made available to a remote client. Method according to Claim 1, wherein the field device is operated via the preconfigured data record plus the additional data, that is to say in particular is parameterized or configured. The method of claim 1, wherein the field device is diagnosed via the preconfigured data set plus the additional data. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein for the connection between the automation / integration platform ( 5 ) and the service provider's web server uses a customer-specific identification code. Method according to claim 1, wherein as an automation / integration platform ( 5 ) an OPC UA server is used. The method of claim 1, wherein the field access unit is equipped with a listener function, so that at predetermined intervals, a scan is performed, via which the field devices connected to the fieldbus are determined. The method of claim 6, wherein via the field access unit, a protocol conversion between the bus protocol and an internet protocol is performed.

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