DE102022118296A1 - Method and system for evaluating installation positions for a network device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention includes a method for evaluating installation positions for a network device (NG), in particular a gateway or an edge device, wherein the network device (NG) is designed to have a communication connection with a first radio network (FN1) and at least one further radio network (FN1 ', FN2), comprising - Multiple recording, at least two different times, of at least one first parameter of the first radio network (FN1) and at least one further parameter from the at least one further radio network (FN1', FN2); - Assigning a three-dimensional location position (OP1, OP2, OP3) relating to the location of detection for each of the first parameters and the further parameters; - evaluating the detected first parameters, the detected further parameters and the respectively assigned three-dimensional location positions (OP1, OP2, OP3). at least one predetermined optimization criterion for evaluating each of the three-dimensional location positions (OP1, OP2, OP3) with regard to suitability as a potential installation position for the network device (NG), and a system which is designed to carry out the method according to the invention.

Description

The invention relates to a method for evaluating installation positions for a network device, in particular a gateway or an edge device, wherein the network device is designed to establish a communication connection with a first radio network and at least one further radio network. The invention further relates to a system which is designed to carry out the method according to the invention.

Field devices that are used in industrial systems are already known from the prior art. Field devices are often used in process automation technology as well as in production automation technology. In principle, all devices that are used close to the process and that provide or process process-relevant information are referred to as field devices. Field devices are used to record and/or influence process variables. Measuring devices or sensors are used to record process variables. These are used, for example, for pressure and temperature measurement, conductivity measurement, flow measurement, pH measurement, level measurement, etc. and record the corresponding process variables pressure, temperature, conductivity, pH value, level, flow, etc. Actuators are used to influence process variables. These are, for example, pumps or valves that can influence the flow of a liquid in a pipe or the level in a container. In addition to the previously mentioned measuring devices and actuators, field devices also include remote I/Os, radio adapters or, in general, devices that are arranged at the field level.

A large number of such field devices are produced and sold by the Endress+Hauser Group.

In modern industrial plants, field devices are usually connected to higher-level units via communication networks such as fieldbuses (Profibus ^® , Foundation ^® Fieldbus, HART ^® , etc.). Normally, the higher-level units are control systems (DCS) or control units, such as a PLC (programmable logic controller). The higher-level units are used, among other things, for process control, process visualization, process monitoring and for commissioning the field devices. The measured values recorded by the field devices, in particular by sensors, are transmitted via the respective bus system to one (or possibly several) higher-level unit(s). In addition, data transmission from the higher-level unit via the bus system to the field devices is also required, in particular for the configuration and parameterization of field devices and for controlling actuators.

In the course of Industry 4.0, or IIoT (“Industrial Internet of Things”), the data generated by the field devices is often collected directly from the field using network devices, which are referred to, for example, as “edge devices” or “gateways”. automatically transmitted to a central cloud-capable database (also simply called “cloud”) on which one or more applications are located. These applications, which, for example, offer functions for visualizing and further processing the data stored in the database, can be accessed by a user via the Internet.

These network devices often have several radio units via which the data received from the field devices is transmitted via radio connections to other units, for example to the cloud. The installation position of a network device is of fundamental importance. If a radio connection cannot be established at the installation location, or is not reliable, the data may not be able to be transmitted or not be transmitted completely.

From the EP 3060964 A2 a method is known in which a network device determines the field strengths of one or more radio networks at several locations. Based on the measured field strengths, a suitable installation location for the network device can be determined.

The disadvantage of this method is that the field strengths of the wireless networks alone are not sufficient to determine an optimal installation location for a network device. For example, other parameters, such as mobile phone costs, are not taken into account. The installation location is also determined based on a one-time measurement at a location.

Based on this problem, the invention is based on the object of specifying a method which makes it possible to determine an optimal installation location for a network device which is to be connected to at least two different radio networks.

• - Mehrfaches Erfassen, zu mindestens zwei verschiedenen Zeitpunkten, von mindestens einem ersten Parameter eines ersten Funknetzwerks und mindestens je einem weiteren Parameter aus einem oder mehreren weiteren Funknetzwerken;
• - Zuordnen einer dreidimensionalen Ortsposition betreffend den Ort des Erfassens zu jedem der ersten Parameter und der weiteren Parameter;
• - Auswerten der erfassten ersten Parameter, der erfassten weiteren Parameter und der jeweils zugeordneten dreidimensionalen Ortspositionen gemäß mindestens einem vorgegebenen Optimierungskriterium zum Bewerten von jeder der dreidimensionalen Ortspositionen hinsichtlich einer Eignung als potentielle Installationsposition für das Gateway.

The task is solved by a method for evaluating installation positions for a network device, in particular a gateway or an edge device, wherein the network device is designed to have a communication connection with a first radio network and at least to establish another wireless network, comprehensive

• - Multiple detection, at at least two different times, of at least one first parameter of a first radio network and at least one further parameter from one or more further radio networks;
• - Assigning a three-dimensional location position regarding the location of detection to each of the first parameters and the further parameters;
• - Evaluating the recorded first parameters, the recorded further parameters and the respectively assigned three-dimensional location positions according to at least one predetermined optimization criterion for evaluating each of the three-dimensional location positions with regard to suitability as a potential installation position for the gateway.

According to the invention, a first parameter and at least one further parameter are collected at least twice for each of the radio networks to which the network device can be connected. The corresponding parameter relates to the properties and/or performance of the respective wireless network. By recording the parameters multiple times at different times and then evaluating them, the suitability levels of the respective locations at which the corresponding parameters were recorded can be reliably determined for potential installation positions.

Different radio networks differ, for example, in the protocol or technology used, e.g. WiFi/WLAN, Bluetooth, WirelessHART, ZigBee, 2G, 3G, LTE, 5G, etc. However, different radio networks can also differ, in the case of a mobile network used, differ in the choice of mobile network provider.

In addition to the parameters relating to the wireless networks, metadata can be used to evaluate an installation position. For example, such metadata can be meteorological data, for example weather data for the respective installation location. Metadata containing data from company processes (maintenance data, etc.) can also be used to assess the suitability of a potential installation location.

• - Ein Energieparameter, insbesondere eine Signalstärke,
• - Ein Ökonomische Parameter, insbesondere Durchschnittliche Kosten pro Zeiteinheit und/oder pro übertragener Dateneinheit,
• - Eine Anzahl von Fehlversuchen bei einem Etablieren einer Kommunikationsverbindung zu dem entsprechenden Funknetzwerk,
• - Eine durchschnittliche Übertragungsrate.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the at least one first parameter and/or the at least one further parameter is one of the following:

• - An energy parameter, in particular a signal strength,
• - An economic parameter, in particular average costs per unit of time and/or per unit of data transmitted,
• - A number of failed attempts to establish a communication connection to the corresponding radio network,
• - An average transfer rate.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the detected at least one first parameter and the detected at least one further parameter are assigned time stamps, comprising the time of detection of the corresponding first parameter or further parameter. The time stamps can also be included in the evaluation of the parameters. For example, the timestamps can be used to determine at what point in time a wireless network was available or unavailable and/or whether there were (regular) times at which the signal strength of a wireless network was higher or lower than the measured average value.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the at least one first parameter and/or the at least one further parameter are recorded by at least one mobile device, in particular a smartphone, and/or by the network device. Detecting the at least one first parameter and/or the at least one further parameter preferably includes measuring the at least one first parameter and/or the at least one further parameter by means of the at least one mobile device and/or by means of the network device and/or retrieving the at least one first parameter and/or the at least one further parameter from at least one server. For example, economic parameters, such as the average costs per unit of time and/or per unit of data transmitted, can be obtained from a server of the corresponding mobile network provider.

An advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the network device or the mobile device carries out the step of evaluating, or wherein the network device or the mobile device detects at least one first parameter and at least one further parameter and the respectively assigned three-dimensional Location positions are transmitted to a cloud-based platform, with the executing step being performed on the cloud-based platform. A cloud-based platform is a server that can be contacted via the Internet net, on which a large number of applications run. The parameters are evaluated using such an application.

• - Verfügbarkeit des ersten und/oder des mindestens einen weiteren Funknetzwerks an einer Installationsposition. Hierfür werden insbesondere eine oder mehrere der Parameter „Energieparameter“, „Anzahl an Fehlversuchen“ und „Durchschnittliche Übertragungsrate“ erfasst und ausgewertet.
• - Zuverlässigkeit einer etablierten Kommunikationsverbindung mit dem ersten Funknetzwerk und/oder dem mindestens einen weiteren Funknetzwerks an einer Installationsposition. Hierfür werden insbesondere eine oder mehrere der Parameter „Anzahl an Fehlversuchen“ und „Durchschnittliche Übertragungsrate“ erfasst und ausgewertet.
• - Energieverbrauch einer etablierten Kommunikationsverbindung mit dem ersten Funknetzwerk und/oder dem mindestens einen weiteren Funknetzwerks an einer Installationsposition. Hierfür werden insbesondere Energieparameter erfasst und ausgewertet.
• - Betriebskosten einer etablierten Kommunikationsverbindung mit dem ersten Funknetzwerk und/oder dem mindestens einen weiteren Funknetzwerks an einer Installationsposition. Hierfür werden insbesondere ökonomische Parameter erfasst und ausgewertet.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the at least one optimization criterion is one of the following:

• - Availability of the first and/or the at least one further radio network at an installation position. For this purpose, one or more of the parameters “energy parameters”, “number of failed attempts” and “average transmission rate” are recorded and evaluated.
• - Reliability of an established communication connection with the first radio network and/or the at least one further radio network at an installation position. For this purpose, one or more of the parameters “number of failed attempts” and “average transmission rate” are recorded and evaluated.
• - Energy consumption of an established communication connection with the first radio network and/or the at least one further radio network at an installation position. For this purpose, energy parameters in particular are recorded and evaluated.
• - Operating costs of an established communication connection with the first radio network and/or the at least one further radio network at an installation position. For this purpose, economic parameters in particular are recorded and evaluated.

• - Auswahl einer Installationsposition für das Netzwerkgerät. Hierfür wird insbesondere nach einem oder allen der obig beschriebenen Optimierungskriterien ausgewertet.
• - Festlegen von mindestens einem optimalen Zeitraum für eine Datenübertragung über das erste Funknetzwerk und/oder über das mindestens eine weitere Funknetzwerk an der Installationsposition. Hierfür wird insbesondere nach den Optimierungskriterien „Verfügbarkeit“ und/oder „Zuverlässigkeit einer etablierten Kommunikationsverbindung“ ausgewertet.
• - Auswahl eines Providers für das erste Funknetzwerk und/oder für das mindestens eine weitere Funknetzwerk. Hierfür wird insbesondere nach dem Optimierungskriterium „Betriebskosten einer etablierten Kommunikationsverbindung“ ausgewertet.
• - Auswahl einer Übertragungstechnologie für das erste Funknetzwerk und/oder für das mindestens eine weitere Funknetzwerk. Hierfür wird insbesondere nach einem oder allen der obig beschriebenen Optimierungskriterien ausgewertet.

According to an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it is provided that after evaluating each of the three-dimensional location positions, one or more of the following measures is carried out:

• - Selecting an installation location for the network device. For this purpose, evaluation is carried out in particular according to one or all of the optimization criteria described above.
• - Determining at least one optimal period for data transmission via the first radio network and/or via the at least one further radio network at the installation position. For this purpose, the optimization criteria “availability” and/or “reliability of an established communication connection” are evaluated in particular.
• - Selection of a provider for the first radio network and/or for the at least one further radio network. For this purpose, the optimization criterion in particular is “operating costs of an established communication connection”.
• - Selection of a transmission technology for the first radio network and/or for the at least one further radio network. For this purpose, evaluation is carried out in particular according to one or all of the optimization criteria described above.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the first radio network is a local radio network, in particular based on a WLAN protocol, or a short-range radio network, in particular Bluetooth, WirelessHART, LoRaWAN or ZigBee, and the second radio network is a mobile radio network. Alternatively, the first radio network and the second radio network are mobile radio networks, with the providers and/or the transmission technologies used in the first radio network and the second radio network differing in particular. Alternatively, the first radio network and the second radio network are local radio networks, in particular based on a WLAN protocol, or a short-range radio network, whereby in particular the transmission technologies used or the protocols used in the first radio network and the second radio network differ.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein weights can be assigned to the at least one first parameter and the at least one further parameter, the weights being included in the evaluation step.

Furthermore, the task is solved by a system which is designed to carry out the invention. The system comprises a network device, in particular an edge device or a gateway, and an operating unit, wherein the network device and/or the operating unit is designed to detect the at least one first parameter and/or the at least one further parameter.

• 1: ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens, in welchem ein erster und ein zweiter Anwendungsfall beschrieben werden; und
• 2: ein Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Systems.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figure. It shows

• 1 : a first exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, in which a first and a second application case are described; and
• 2 : an exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention.

In 1 A process automation system is shown. Several field devices FG1, FG2, FG3 are installed here in different measuring points and record physical measured variables process engineering process. In order to make the data of the field devices FG1, FG2, FG3 available online, for example on a cloud-based platform CP, a network device NG in the form of an edge device should be installed in system A. The edge device is used to collect data from the field devices FG1, FG2, FG3 and transmit it to the cloud-based platform CP via a first radio network FN1. The first radio network FN1 is, for example, a mobile radio network. The data from the field devices FG1, FG2, FG3 are collected from the field devices FG1, FG2, FG3 using a further radio network F2. The other radio network is, for example, Bluetooth.

In Appendix A there are several geographical locations OP1, OP2, OP3 available at which the network device NG can be installed and which therefore come into consideration as potential installation locations. In order to determine the optimal installation location among these locations OP1, OP2, OP3, a service technician ST visits these locations OP1, OP2, OP3 one after the other. At each of the location positions OP1, OP2, OP3, it records parameters of both radio networks FN1, FN2 using a mobile device MG, for example a smartphone. Specifically, it records energy parameters of both radio networks, in particular the signal strengths (in the other radio network F2, the Bluetooth signal strengths of the field devices FG1, FG2, FG3 installed in system A).

This measurement is taken at several points in time (or at least one additional point in time). The mobile device MG transmits the measured parameters to the cloud-based platform CP, which evaluates the measured parameters. Alternatively, the mobile device MG carries out the evaluation itself. The evaluation is carried out with regard to an optimization criterion, specifically with regard to the availability of the first and the further radio network (FN1, FN1', FN2) at the respective locations OP1, OP2, OP3. This shows that the local position OP1 has the highest signal strengths measured in absolute terms, but these sometimes fluctuate greatly. The location OP2 shows similarly strong absolute signal strengths, although these fluctuate very little. The location OP3 shows relatively weak signal strengths for radio networks FN1, FN2. After the evaluation, the location OP2 is suggested to the service technician ST as the optimal installation location.

After installing the network device NG at the location OP2, see 2 , the transmission via both radio networks FN1, FN2 is further optimized. For this purpose, the network device NG measures additional parameters of the radio networks FN1, FN2 several times over a longer period of time (e.g. several times a day over several weeks). For example, the signal strengths of the two radio networks FN2, FN2, as well as an additional number of failed attempts when establishing a communication connection to the corresponding radio network FN1, FN2, are determined again. An evaluation (which is carried out by the network device NG itself or the cloud-based platform CP) results in ideal times for data transmission, both for retrieving the data from the field devices FG1, FG2, FG3 via the further radio network FN2, and for transmitting the data to the cloud-based platform via the first wireless network. For example, it is determined that the first radio network regularly only enables unreliable data transmission on weekends (e.g. due to major events). It is also determined that the other radio network FN2 has short-term failures in the evening (e.g. due to a tanker truck driving through system A). The network device NG is then configured so that it only transmits or retrieves the data at times when the corresponding radio networks FN1, FN2 can be used reliably.

Additionally or alternatively, the transmission via both radio networks FN1, FN2 is further optimized. FN1 networks from different providers can be used at the installation site to establish the first wireless network. The following assumes two available providers. The radio network that can be established by means of the first provider will henceforth be referred to as the first radio network FN1, and the radio network that can be established by means of the second provider will be referred to as a further radio network FN1'. For this purpose, the network device NG measures additional parameters of the radio networks FN1, FN1' several times over a longer period of time (e.g. several times a day over several weeks). For example, the signal strengths of the two radio networks FN2, FN1', as well as an additional number of failed attempts when establishing a communication connection to the corresponding radio network FN1, FN1', are determined again. In addition, economic parameters are recorded by the cloud-based platform, for example average costs per unit of time and/or per unit of data transferred.

This determines that the first radio network is relatively cheap, but has regular failures, especially regularly on weekends (e.g. due to major events). Although the further radio network FN1' of the second provider is very reliable, it is expensive relative to the first radio network FN1 of the first provider. The network device NG is configured in such a way (under the knowledge that on weeks only a small amount of data is to be sent at the end), that it should use the additional radio network FN1' on the weekend and the first radio network FN1 during the week.

Reference symbol list

BE

Control unit

C.P

Cloud based platform

FN1

first wireless network

FN1', FN2

another wireless network

HN1, HN2, HN3, HN4

Obstacles

MG

mobile device

NG

Network device

OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4

Location positions

ST

service engineer

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was 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

• EP 3060964 A2 [0007]

Claims (13)

Method for evaluating installation positions for a network device (NG), in particular a gateway or an edge device, wherein the network device (NG) is designed to have a communication connection with a first radio network (FN1) and at least one further radio network (FN1', FN2) to establish, comprehensive - Multiple detection, at at least two different times, of at least one first parameter of the first radio network (FN1) and at least one further parameter from the at least one further radio network (FN1', FN2); - Assigning a three-dimensional location position (OP1, OP2, OP3) relating to the location of detection to each of the first parameters and the further parameters; - Evaluating the recorded first parameters, the recorded further parameters and the respectively assigned three-dimensional location positions (OP1, OP2, OP3) according to at least one predetermined optimization criterion for evaluating each of the three-dimensional location positions (OP1, OP2, OP3) with regard to suitability as a potential installation position for the network device (NG). Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein the at least one first parameter and/or the at least one further parameter is one of the following: - An energy parameter, in particular a signal strength, - An economic parameter, in particular regarding average costs per unit of time and/or per transmitted data unit, - A number of Failed attempts to establish a communication connection to the corresponding radio network (FN1, FN1', FN2), - An average transmission rate. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the detected at least one first parameter and the detected at least one further parameter are assigned time stamps, comprising the time of detection of the corresponding first parameter or further parameter. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first parameter and/or the at least one further parameter are recorded by at least one mobile device (MG), in particular a smartphone, and/or by the network device (NG). Procedure according to Claim 4 , wherein detecting the at least one first parameter and/or the at least one further parameter involves measuring the at least one first parameter and/or the at least one further parameter by means of the at least one mobile device (MG) and/or by means of the network device (NG). and/or retrieving the at least one first parameter and/or the at least one further parameter from at least one server. Procedure according to Claim 4 or 5 , wherein the network device (NG) or the mobile device carries out the step of evaluating, or wherein the network device (NG) or the mobile device (MG) records the at least one first parameter and at least one further parameter and the respectively assigned ones three-dimensional location positions (OP1, OP2, OP3) are transmitted to a cloud-based platform (CP), the step of executing being carried out on the cloud-based platform (CP). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one optimization criterion is one of the following: - Availability of the first and/or the at least one further radio network (FN1, FN1', FN2) at a potential installation position, - Reliability of an established communication connection with the first radio network (FN1) and/or the at least one further radio network (FN1', FN2) at a potential installation position, - Energy consumption of an established communication connection with the first radio network (FN1) and/or the at least one further radio network (FN1', FN2) at a potential installation position, - Operating costs of an established communication connection with the first radio network (FN1) and/or the at least one further radio network (FN1', FN2) at a potential installation position. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein after evaluating each of the three-dimensional location positions (OP1, OP2, OP3), one or more of the following measures is carried out: - Selecting an installation position for the network device (NG) - Determining at least one optimal period for data transmission via the first radio network (FN1) and/or via the at least one further radio network (FN1', FN2) at the installation position; - Selection of a provider for the first radio network (FN1) and/or for the at least one further radio network (FN1', FN2), - Selection of a transmission technology for the first radio network (FN1) and/or for the at least one further radio network (FN1', FN2). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first radio network (FN1) is a local radio network, in particular based on a WLAN protocol, or a short-range radio network, in particular Bluetooth, WirelessHART, LoRaWAN, or ZigBee, and wherein the further radio network (FN1 ', FN2) is a mobile network. Procedure according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , wherein the first radio network (FN1) is a mobile radio network and wherein the further radio network (FN1', FN2) is a mobile radio network, in particular the providers and / or the transmission technologies used of the first radio network (FN1) and the further radio network (FN1' , FN2). Procedure according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , wherein the first radio network (FN1) and the further radio network (FN1', FN2) are local radio networks, in particular based on a WLAN protocol, or a short-range radio network, in particular the transmission technologies used, or the protocols used, of the first radio network (FN1) and the other radio network (FN1', FN2). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein weights can be assigned to the at least one first parameter and the at least one further parameter, the weights being included in the evaluation step. System which is used to carry out the method according to one of the Claims 1 until 12 is designed, comprising a network device (NG), in particular an edge device or a gateway and a mobile device (MG), wherein the network device (NG) and / or the mobile device (MG) for detecting the at least one first parameter and / or of the at least one further parameter is designed.

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