DE102009027949A1 - Method for data synchronization between an operator panel and a configuration / management system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for synchronizing the current configuration / parameterization data (18) assigned to a field device (F) of process automation technology in the form of a standardized device description (DD) with a device driver (7, DeviceDTM) that fully describes the field device (F) is assigned to a higher-level management / configuration system (1), a standardized software system (FDT Frame) being provided in the management / configuration system (1) which allows access to the device driver (DeviceDTM), with the field device (F) in front Location in the field with an operating device (2) connected via a point-to-point connection and configured or parameterized via digital communication of a bus system (3), the current device-specific configuration / parameterization data of the field device (F) being the current DD -based data record can be stored in the operating device (2) by means of a standardized device description (11, DD) (18 ), the control device (2) then being connected to the higher-level management / configuration system (1), separated in time and space, and the device driver (7, DeviceDTM) assigned to the management / configuration system (1) and the device driver (7, DeviceDTM) in the control device ( 2) saved current DD-based data record are synchronized so that the current configuration / parameterization data (18) are available in the synchronized device driver (8, DeviceDTM).

Description

The The invention relates to a method for data synchronization between an HMI device and a configuration / management system.

In process as well as factory automation technology Field devices are often used for the detection and / or To influence process variables. To capture of process variables serve measuring devices, such as level gauges, flowmeters, Pressure and temperature measuring instruments, pH meters, Conductivity meters, etc., which are the corresponding Process variables level, flow, pressure, Record temperature, pH or conductivity. To influence The process variables are used as actuators Valves or pumps, over the z. B. the flow of a Liquid in a pipeline or the level a medium in a container is changed. In principle, all devices are called field devices. which are used close to the process and the process-relevant information deliver or process. A variety of such field devices is offered and distributed by the company group Endress + Hauser. Under the term field device used in connection with the invention Thus, all types of measuring devices and actuators are to be subsumed. Furthermore, the term field device but also includes z. B. a gateway, a wireless adapter or other integrated / integrated in a bus system Bus devices.

In modern industrial plants, field devices are usually via bus systems such as for example via Profibus ^® PA, Foundation Fieldbus, or HART ^{® ®} with at least a master control unit. Normally the higher-level control unit - as already mentioned - is a control system. The higher-level control unit is used for process control, process visualization, process monitoring and commissioning and operation of the field devices. Programs that run independently on higher-level configuration / management systems 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. Configuration / management systems integrated into control system applications include Siemens' PCS7, ABB's Symphony and Emerson's Delta V.

The Integration of field devices into configuration / management systems or in control systems via device descriptions, which ensure that the systems supplied by the field devices Recognize and interpret information. ready the device descriptions are provided for each Field device type in different applications of the respective device manufacturer. So that the field devices can be integrated in different bus systems, need different device descriptions for the different bus systems are created. So there is - um just to name a few examples - HART-, Fieldbus Foundation- and Profibus device descriptions.

In order to create a uniform description for the field devices, the Fieldbus Foundation (FF), the HART Communication Foundation (HCF) and the Profibus User Organization (PNO) have created a uniform electronic device description (EDD). The EDD is in the Standard IEC 61804-2 Are defined.

For full operation of the field devices via any configuration / management system, special device descriptions, known as DTMs Device Type Manager or Device Manager or Device Driver, are also available. These DTMs comply with the FDT Field Device Tool specification ( IEC 62453 ), The current FDT specification is available from the ZVEI or the PNO or the FDT Group.

Common it is especially in process automation technology, field devices on-site in the field using a handheld or other configuration tool, z. PC, via a point-to-point connection, e.g. B. over a modem, to configure. HART, in the point-to-point connection, can Profibus, FF or a proprietary service protocol for Use come. The field devices are usually over Device descriptions, such as the standardized EDDs or DTMs, integrated in the control of the process plant. In many cases If the field devices are still two-wire devices today, which usually work on the 4-20 mA basis. The analog, the measured value representing current signal Here is superimposed a digital communication. Become In the field changes have been made, so must this the configuration / management system for data synchronization be forwarded.

It There are several options for data synchronization the field device and the configuration / management system. First, a user in the configuration / management system an upload of the data from the field device via the Trigger bus system.

In EDD or DD based configuration / management systems, manual synchronization between the HMI device and the configuration / management system may be performed based on the EDD information. The disadvantage here is that an upload of Gerätekonfigu ration can take a lot of time, which has to do with the fact that the description of field devices is becoming increasingly complex.

As a general rule poses the problem that data synchronization between a handheld based on a standardized device description, e.g. EDD, and a configuration / management system a standardized software system, e.g. As the FDT frame, under which the device drivers are executable, not can be guaranteed consistently. This is because that there is no uniform data exchange interface between EDD interpreters and DTMs is defined. The creation of an appropriate interface is possible only with great effort.

Of the Invention has for its object to propose a simple method This ensures that the current field device of the Automation technology in the form of a standardized device description assigned configuration / parameter data with a field device fully descriptive device driver, the assigned to a higher-level management / configuration system, are synchronized.

The Task is performed by a method of synchronization of current a field device of process automation technology in the form associated with a standardized device description Configuration / parameterization data with a field device fully descriptive device driver solved, where the device driver is a parent management / configuration system and wherein in the management / configuration system a standardized Software system is provided, which provides access to the device driver allowed. According to the invention, the field device on site, ie in the field, with an HMI device a point-to-point connection, e.g. B. by means of a modem connected and configured via digital communication of a bus system or parameterized. Usually the configuration takes place or parameterization in the field successively on a plurality of field devices. The current device-specific configuration / parameterization data of the field device or field devices are considered more up-to-date DD-based data record or as current DD-based data records in the HMI device by means of a standardized device description saved. Subsequently, the HMI device - in time and spatially separated - with the parent Management / configuration system connected. The management / configuration system assigned device driver and in the HMI device stored current DD-based record are synchronized, so that in the synchronized device driver the current configuration / parameterization data be available.

Known Configuration / management systems are in the introduction to the description already mentioned. It should be mentioned that it is in the configuration / management system also a plant asset Management System (PAM) can act as it is, for example, by the Applicant under the term 'FieldCare' offered and distributed.

One Device driver encapsulates all device-specific Data, functions and operating rules, such as B. the device structure, existing communication options and the graphical User interface, that is the GUI, for a specific one Field device or for a specific field device type.

When Runtime environment, the DTMs need a frame application, speak FDT frame, used. The frame application and the corresponding DTMs allow very convenient access to field devices, z. On device parameters, on measured values, diagnostic information, Status information, etc., as well as the call of special functions, the individual DTMs are available. So that the DTMs of different manufacturers in the frame application work correctly, need the interfaces to the frame application and to clearly defined in the remaining DTMs. This interface definition hides behind the abbreviation FDT. The FDT technology unified the communication interface between the field devices and the higher-level configuration / management system.

FDT allows any field devices over any higher level configuration / management systems via to address any bus systems. In a known FDT frame this is the already mentioned tool 'FieldCare' the applicant.

at the HMI device, it can be a whatsoever Handheld control unit acting locally in the field for operation the field devices can be used. For example, can it is a portable PC or a PDA or known as a handheld Actuator act.

Prefers is a standardized device description an EDD, a Electronic Device Description, used in the field of process automation is widespread. It goes without saying that others too Device descriptions in connection with the invention Solution can be used.

According to an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it is proposed that, for the purpose of synchronization, the current configuration / parameter stored in the operating device in the form of a standardized device description ming data and the device driver to be updated to be updated in the management / configuration system an operator-specific communication driver is created - in the example FDT a communication DTM

Farther It is envisaged that in the standardized software system of the Management / configuration system the control system topology of all field devices operating in a process plant with the management / configuration system are stored.

For the case that all field devices or only part of the field devices, which are arranged in the process plant, are designed, that with the management / configuration system through the software system communicate, are the communicable field devices each by a device driver in two different Topologies referenced: by the device drivers to be updated in the management / configuring system topology and through the corresponding updated device drivers under the Communication driver in the user-side topology.

A advantageous development of the invention Procedure provides that the data synchronization of the management / configuration system associated device driver to be updated the communication driver of the operating device by means of a Fieldbus protocol or by means of corresponding fieldbus commands is carried out.

• – in beiden Topologien, der management-/konfiguriersystemseitigen Topologie und der bediengeräteseitigen Topologie, wird über das standardisierte Softwaresystem für jeden Gerätetreiber ein Stellvertreter-Gerätetreiber implementiert, der auf die jeweilige Gerätetreiber-Instanz in den beiden Topologien verweist,
• – der zu aktualisierende Gerätetreiber und der aktualisierte Gerätetreiber werden über den wechselweise gespeicherten Datensatz im Datenspeicher 17 synchronisiert,
• – mittels einer über die Steuersoftware aufgerufenen und im Gerätetreiber realisierten Vergleichsfunktion der beiden Gerätetreiber werden die beiden Datensätze miteinander verglichen und entsprechende Abweichungen werden angezeigt.

Preferred variants of the inventive solution provide that for the purpose of data synchronization between the two device drivers alternatively the following functionalities are used:

• In both topologies, the topology of the management / configuring system and the topology of the operating unit, a proxy device driver is implemented for each device driver via the standardized software system, which refers to the respective device driver instance in the two topologies,
• - The device driver to be updated and the updated device driver are stored in the datastore via the alternately stored dataset 17 synchronized
• - By means of a called via the control software and implemented in the device driver comparison function of the two device drivers, the two data sets are compared and corresponding deviations are displayed.

About that In addition, it is provided that the record to be updated accordingly the differences found in the dialogue after approval by the Operating personnel is adjusted.

A alternative embodiment of the invention Solution suggests that in case that none of the field devices connected to the control unit the process plant has equipment that allows it to with the control unit via the standardized software system in the management / configuring system topology only the user-specific communication driver under which all device drivers are not listed Communication-capable field devices of the process plant are involved.

In In this context, it is provided that for the purpose of data synchronization the device driver to be updated online with the HMI device via the HMI device assigned communication device driver is set, and wherein the current configuration / parameterization data is via the Transfer the bus system to the device driver to be updated so that all device-specific or device-specific Offline functionalities of the device drivers with available to the data of the field device.

Farther It is suggested that the offline configuration / parameterization data of the Transfer device drivers to the HMI device and that the configuration / parameter data of the device drivers subsequently in the field via the HMI device Field device to be transmitted. Alternatively the offline changed configuration / parameterization data the device driver is transferred to the HMI device; Subsequently, the configuration / parameterization data of the device drivers with the HMI device in production in a field device of the same type and application. These Method is also appropriate, since in many applications similar use in production Process stations or identical process plants parallel to each other operate.

The The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. It shows:

1 : a representation of exemplary hardware components of a process control of automation technology, which are suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention,

1a : the left section of the in 1 shown hardware components,

2 : one to the in 1a shown device suitable representation of an FDT software topology for performing a first variant of the method according to the invention,

3 : a representation of a second Varian te of the method according to the invention,

4 : An illustration of a third variant of the method according to the invention and

5 : A representation of a fourth variant of the method according to the invention.

1 shows a representation of exemplary hardware components of a process control of automation technology, which are suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention. The inventive method is used to synchronize the current field device F of the process automation technology in the form of a standardized device description, z. B. DD, associated configuration / parameterization data 18 with a device driver fully describing the field device F 7 , DeviceDTM, the higher-level management / configuration system 1 assigned. On the management / configuration system 1 runs a standardized software system FDT Frame. The standardized software system in the case shown is an FDT frame, which provides access to the device driver 7 , DeviceDTM allowed. In a first embodiment - scenario 1 ( 1a ) - is the standardized software system FDT Frame in a management / configuration system 1 integrated. The control system 1 is via a company network factory LAN and a control unit 5 with the fieldbus level 9 . 12 connected. While at the company network level, Factory LAN prefers communication over a fast connection, eg. As Ethernet TCP / IP, the communication is at the field bus level z. B .: via Profibus DP, Profibus PA 12 and HARD 9 carried out. By means of the gateway 4 the fieldbus protocol Profibus PA is converted to the HART protocol.

In a second embodiment - scenario 2 ( 1 ) - is the standardized software system FDT Frame in one via a fieldbus interface 6 or via a Plant Access Point to the bus system 9 . 12 connected plant asset management system PAM 1 integrated. Called at this point is the product FieldCare the applicant. Because users typically connect their plant networks to Factory LAN through a firewall 13 protect the PAM system 1 via a secure fieldbus interface 6 and a gateway 4 at the fieldbus level on the bus system 9 and to the field devices F, F1, F2, ... too.

The field device F is locally in the field with an operating device 2 via a point-to-point connection 3 , in particular via a modem connected. The connection can be wired or wireless. About the bus protocol of the bus system 3 becomes the field device F via the HMI device 2 configured or parameterized. On the bus system 3 the communication is preferably via one of the previously mentioned field bus protocols of the bus system used. The current device-specific configuration / parameterization data 18 of the field device F are considered current DD-based data set 18 in the HMI device 2 stored by means of a standardized device description, here a DD.

How out 2 can be seen, the HMI device 2 subsequently, temporally and spatially separated, with the higher-level management / configuration system 1 is connected. The connection is made via an operator-specific communication port 10 , for example via USB or Blue Tooth. Subsequently, the synchronization of the management / configuration system takes place 1 associated device driver 7 , DeviceDTM and in the HMI device 2 stored current DD-based data set DD ', so that in the synchronized device driver 8th , DeviceDTM also the current configuration / parameterization data 18 be available. Synchronization is based on fieldbus communication.

For synchronization in the HMI device 2 in the form of a standardized device description DD stored current configuration / parameterization data 18 and in the management / configuration system 1 stored device drivers to be updated 7 , DeviceDTM is the user-specific communication driver fourteen , CommDTM, which in this case is an FDT communication driver.

How out 2 As can be seen, the FDT Frame software system provides two functionalities for the purpose of synchronization: There are two topologies, a control-system-side topology and an operator-side topology in which each field device F is replaced by a corresponding device driver DeviceDTM of the same type 7 and 8th is referenced. A device driver 7 , DeviceDTM is integrated into the control system topology or network topology. The second device driver 8th , DeviceDTM 8th is in the subtopology, so the operator panel topology, under the operator-specific communication driver fourteen , CommDTM integrated. By means of the software system FDT Frame now the data synchronization of the device driver takes place 7 , DeviceDTM via the user-specific communication driver fourteen , CommDTM with the device driver 8th , DeviceDTM.

• – Das Softwaresystem FDT Frame hat in beiden Topologiezweigen Proxy-Gerätetreiber ProxyDTMs 15, 16, die auf eine einzelne Gerätetreiber Instanz DeviceDTM 8 verweisen. Diese Ausgestaltung ist in 3 dargestellt. Der Zugriff auf den Datensatz der Gerätetreiber Instanz DeviceDTM 8 wird von dem Softwaresystem FDT Frame über den wechselweitigem Zugriff über den ProxyDTM 15 oder den ProxyDTM 16 synchronisiert.
• – Das Softwaresystem FDT Frame erlaubt das wechselseitig synchronisierte Abspeichern beider Gerätetreiber 7, DeviceDTM, 8, DeviceDTM in einem Datenspeicher 17 (2)
• – Ein Gerätetreiber DeviceDTM bietet eine Softwaresystem spezifische Vergleichsfunktion zum Abgleichen der Datensätze DD, DD' durch den Benutzer an. (4)

For synchronization of the configuration / parameterization data of the device driver 7 , DeviceDTM with the device driver 8th , DeviceDTM in the two topology branches, the following functionalities are implemented:

• - The FDT Frame software system has proxy device drivers ProxyDTMs in both topology branches 15 . 16 pointing at a single device Via instance DeviceDTM 8th refer. This embodiment is in 3 shown. Access to the record of the device driver Instance DeviceDTM 8th is accessed by the FDT Frame software system via alternate access via the ProxyDTM 15 or the ProxyDTM 16 synchronized.
• - The software system FDT Frame allows the mutually synchronized storage of both device drivers 7 , DeviceDTM, 8th , DeviceDTM in a data store 17 ( 2 )
• - A device driver DeviceDTM offers a software system-specific comparison function for matching the data sets DD, DD 'by the user. ( 4 )

In 5 a further variant of the method according to the invention is shown. In this variant, this is available from the HMI device 2 field device F to be synchronized does not have the option of using the FDT Frame software system with the communication device driver fourteen To communicate to CommDTM. For example, the field device is a 4-20 mA device. Now, the FDT Frame software system provides the following functionality for synchronization. The software system FDT Frame has only the user-specific communication device driver fourteen , CommDTM in its topology. Under the operator-specific communication device driver fourteen are all device drivers 7 , DeviceDTM, ... of the field devices F, F1, F2, ... to be updated. For synchronization, the device driver to be updated becomes 7 , DeviceDTM / become the DeviceDTM device drivers to be updated 7 , ... set online and communicate with the HMI device 2 via the respective fieldbus protocol 10 , The field device F not connected to the software system FDT frame now behaves like a field device F which can be communicated via the software system FDT frame. Via one in the device driver 7 , DeviceDTM implemented functionality DeviceDTM upload will be all parameters 18 from the HMI device 2 in the device driver 7 , DeviceDTM loaded. One in the device driver 7 DeviceDTM implemented functionality DeviceDTM Download writes the current configuration / parameterization data 18 into the HMI device 2 in order to subsequently write it in the field or in production into a field device F of the same type.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Configurable / Management System

2

control unit

3

Fieldbus / bus system

4

Gateway / converter unit

5

Control / Control

6

Fieldbus interface

7

to Updating device driver / DeviceDTM

8th

current Device drivers / DeviceDTM

9

system-side fieldbus

10

Specific operating unit Communication port z. B .: via USB, BlueTooth, ...

11

standardized Device description DD

12

communication drivers (Bus-specific)

13

firewall to protect the factory LAN

14

Communication device drivers (-Use device-specific)

15

proxy device drivers

16

proxy device drivers

17

data storage

18

in the HMI device stored configuration / parameterization data based on the DD / EDD

F

field device

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited non-patent literature

• - Standard IEC 61804-2 [0005]
• - IEC 62453 [0006]

Claims (11)

Method for synchronizing the current configuration / parameterization data assigned to a field device (F) of the process automation technology in the form of a standardized device description (DD) ( 18 ) with a device driver (DeviceDTM) which fully describes the field device (F) and which is assigned to a higher-level management / configuration system ( 1 ), wherein in the management / configuration system ( 1 ) a standardized software system (FDT frame) is provided, which provides access to the device driver ( 7 , DeviceDTM), wherein the field device (F) in the field with an operating device ( 2 ) via a point-to-point connection 3 connected and via digital communication of a bus system ( 9 . 12 ) is configured or parameterized, whereby the current device-specific configuration / parameterization data ( 18 ) of the field device (F) as the current DD-based data record in the operating device ( 2 ) by means of a standardized device description (DD, 11 ), whereby the operating device ( 2 ), separated temporally and spatially, with the higher-level management / configuration system ( 1 ) and the management / configuration system ( 1 ) associated device drivers ( 7 , DeviceDTM) and in the HMI device ( 2 ) stored current DD-based record 18 synchronized so that in the synchronized device driver ( 8th , DeviceDTM) the current configuration / parameterization data ( 18 ) be available. Method according to Claim 1, in which, for the purpose of synchronization, in the operating device ( 2 ) in the form of a standardized device description (DD) current configuration / parameter data ( 18 ) and in the management / configuration system ( 1 stored device drivers to be updated ( 7 , DeviceDTM) an operator-specific communication driver ( fourteen , CommDTM) is created. Method according to claim 1, wherein in the standardized software system (FDT frame) of the management / configuration system ( 1 ) the control system topology of all field devices (F, F1, F2, ...) operating in a process plant with the management / configuration system ( 1 ) is stored. Method according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein, in the event that all field devices (F, F1, F2,...) Or only a part of the field devices (F, F1, F2, are / are, are / are designed to work with the management / configuration system ( 1 ) communicate with standardized communication drivers via the software system (FDT frame), the communicable field devices (F, F1, F2,...) in each case by a device driver ( 7 , DeviceDTM; 8, DeviceDTM) are referenced in two different topologies: by the device drivers to be updated ( 7, DeviceDTM) in the management / configuration system topology and the corresponding updated device drivers ( 8th , DeviceDTM) under the communication driver ( fourteen , CommDTM) in the operator panel topology. Method according to claim 4, wherein the data synchronization of the management / configuration system ( 1 ) associated with device drivers to be updated ( 8th , DeviceDTM) via the communication driver ( fourteen , CommDTM) of the operator panel ( 2 ) by means of a fieldbus protocol or by means of corresponding fieldbus commands of the bus system ( 3 ) is carried out. Method according to claim 4 and / or 5, wherein for the purpose of data synchronization between the two device drivers ( 7 , DeviceDTM; 8, DeviceDTM), the following functionalities can alternatively be used: - in both topologies, the topology of the management / configuration system and the topology of the operating unit, the standard software system (FDT frame) is used for each device driver ( 7 DeviceDTM, 8, DeviceDTM) a proxy device driver ( 15 . 16 ; ProxyDTM) pointing to the respective device driver instance in the two topologies, - the device driver to be updated ( 7 , DeviceDTM) and the updated device driver ( 8th , DeviceDTM) are stored via the alternately stored data record in the data memory ( 17 ), - by means of a device called via the control software and in the device driver ( 7 , DeviceDTM) realized comparison function of the two device drivers ( 7 . 8th ) the two data sets are compared and corresponding deviations are displayed. The method of claim 6, wherein the to be updated DD-based record according to the found deviations in the dialog after approval by the operating staff. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein in the event that none of the with the management / configuration system ( 1 ) connected field devices (F, F1, F2, ...) of the process plant has an equipment that allows him, with the control unit ( 1 ) via the standardized software system (FDT Frame), in the management / configuration system-side topology only the user-specific communication driver ( fourteen , Comm DTM) under which all device drivers (DeviceDTM) of the non-communicable field devices of the process plant are integrated. Method according to Claim 8, in which, for the purpose of data synchronization, the respective device driver ( 7 , DeviceDTM) online with the HMI device ( 2 ) via the HMI device ( 2 ) associated communication device driver ( fourteen , CommDTM), and the current configuration / parameter data ( 18 ) via the fieldbus protocol of the bus system ( 12 ) to the device driver to be updated ( 7 , DeviceDTM) so that all device-specific or device-specific offline functionalities of the device drivers ( 7 , DeviceDTM) with the data of the field device (F, F1, F2, ...) are available. The method of claim 9, wherein the offline changed configuration / parameterization data ( 18 ) the device driver ( 8th , DeviceDTM) in the HMI device ( 2 ) and the configuration / parameterization data of the device drivers ( 8th , DeviceDTM) subsequently with the HMI device ( 2 ) in the field to the field device (F). The method of claim 9, wherein the offline changed configuration / parameterization data ( 18 ) the device driver ( 8th , DeviceDTM) in the HMI device ( 2 ) and the configuration / parameterization data ( 18 ) the device driver ( 8th , DeviceDTM) subsequently with the HMI device ( 2 ) are transferred during maintenance or production for preconfiguration into a field device (F, F1, F2, ...) of the same type and the same application.

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