CA2758682C - Plant control system, data to be equalized selection apparatus, and data to be equalized selection method - Google Patents
Plant control system, data to be equalized selection apparatus, and data to be equalized selection method Download PDFInfo
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P90/00—Enabling technologies with a potential contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation
- Y02P90/02—Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
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Abstract
A support apparatus includes: a target selection part that presents a variable of a candidate data in form of a list for each variable and prompts a user to select a data to be equalized from the list; a target list table that stores therein, for each function element constituting a control program, a data on each variable dealt with by the function element, as a candidate data for the data to be equalized; and a target notification part that notifies each of the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus, of equalization possible/impossible information for each variable, the equalization possible/impossible information being identification information on the selected data to be equalized, and makes the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus execute an equalization processing of the data to be equalized for each variable from the operational control apparatus to the standby control apparatus.
Description
PLANT CONTROL SYSTEM, DATA TO BE EQUALIZED SELECTION APPARATUS, AND DATA TO BE EQUALIZED SELECTION METHOD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001]
The present invention relates to a technique of a plant control system, a data to be equalized selection apparatus, and a data to be equalized selection method.
BACKGROUND ART
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001]
The present invention relates to a technique of a plant control system, a data to be equalized selection apparatus, and a data to be equalized selection method.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
In a redundant system, a plurality of devices operate in parallel. If one of the devices fails to operate properly, another takes over operations of the one in trouble, to thereby realize high reliability of the system. In such a redundant system, a processing of copying a data from one device into another is typically performed as an equalization processing in which data in one device is equalized to, that is, is made identical with data in another (see, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 shown below) . The equalization processing makes it possible to migrate a data still under calculation in one device to another, thus allowing a smooth migration of an operation in the redundant system.
In a redundant system, a plurality of devices operate in parallel. If one of the devices fails to operate properly, another takes over operations of the one in trouble, to thereby realize high reliability of the system. In such a redundant system, a processing of copying a data from one device into another is typically performed as an equalization processing in which data in one device is equalized to, that is, is made identical with data in another (see, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 shown below) . The equalization processing makes it possible to migrate a data still under calculation in one device to another, thus allowing a smooth migration of an operation in the redundant system.
[0003]
Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application, Publication No. H07-236006 Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application, Publication No. 2005-327284 Patent Document 3: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application, Publication No. H08-328891 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application, Publication No. H07-236006 Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application, Publication No. 2005-327284 Patent Document 3: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application, Publication No. H08-328891 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004]
In a redundant system, if all the data is subjected to an equalization processing, the equalization processing may interfere with a main processing performed in the system (for example, a plant control system) . It is thus required to select a data only as a target to be equalized which really needs an equalization processing, from among all the data in the redundant system.
In a redundant system, if all the data is subjected to an equalization processing, the equalization processing may interfere with a main processing performed in the system (for example, a plant control system) . It is thus required to select a data only as a target to be equalized which really needs an equalization processing, from among all the data in the redundant system.
[0005]
In the related art (for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3), however, a mechanism of appropriately and efficiently selecting a data to be equalized for a user is not provided.
This may result in a failure to select a really necessary data or in an erroneous selection of an unnecessary data, which makes it difficult to realize an efficient and highly-reliable equalization processing.
In the related art (for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3), however, a mechanism of appropriately and efficiently selecting a data to be equalized for a user is not provided.
This may result in a failure to select a really necessary data or in an erroneous selection of an unnecessary data, which makes it difficult to realize an efficient and highly-reliable equalization processing.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in an attempt to solve the above-described problems and efficiently select a data to be equalized in a redundant system.
The present invention has been made in an attempt to solve the above-described problems and efficiently select a data to be equalized in a redundant system.
[0007]
A plant control system of the present invention includes:
an operational control apparatus and a standby control apparatus each of which executes a control program for controlling a plant system; and a data to be equalized selection apparatus that, if a control data in the operational control apparatus is equalized to a corresponding control data in the standby control apparatus, selects the data to be equalized.
The data to be equalized selection apparatus includes: a storage unit that stores therein, for each function element constituting the control program, a data on each variable dealt with by the function element, as a candidate data for the data to be equalized; a target selection unit that presents a variable of the candidate data read from the storage unit, in form of a list for each variable and prompts a user to select a data to be equalized from the list; and a target notification unit that notifies each of the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus, of equalization possible/impossible information for each variable, the equalization possible/impossible information being identification information on the selected data to be equalized, and makes the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus execute an equalization processing of the data to be equalized for each variable from the operational control apparatus to the standby control apparatus.
Other means to solve the problems will be explained hereinafter.
A plant control system of the present invention includes:
an operational control apparatus and a standby control apparatus each of which executes a control program for controlling a plant system; and a data to be equalized selection apparatus that, if a control data in the operational control apparatus is equalized to a corresponding control data in the standby control apparatus, selects the data to be equalized.
The data to be equalized selection apparatus includes: a storage unit that stores therein, for each function element constituting the control program, a data on each variable dealt with by the function element, as a candidate data for the data to be equalized; a target selection unit that presents a variable of the candidate data read from the storage unit, in form of a list for each variable and prompts a user to select a data to be equalized from the list; and a target notification unit that notifies each of the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus, of equalization possible/impossible information for each variable, the equalization possible/impossible information being identification information on the selected data to be equalized, and makes the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus execute an equalization processing of the data to be equalized for each variable from the operational control apparatus to the standby control apparatus.
Other means to solve the problems will be explained hereinafter.
[0008]
In the present invention, a data to be equalized in a redundant system can be efficiently selected.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the present invention, a data to be equalized in a redundant system can be efficiently selected.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating components of the control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a user program which runs on the control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a relationship between constituent elements of a user program and a target to be equalized according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of an equalization processing in the control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen for selecting a target to be equalized (a main screen) according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing of selecting a target to be equalized according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are explanatory diagrams each showing a screen for selecting a target to be equalized (a sub screen) according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an equalization processing in the control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating components of the control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a user program which runs on the control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a relationship between constituent elements of a user program and a target to be equalized according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of an equalization processing in the control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen for selecting a target to be equalized (a main screen) according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing of selecting a target to be equalized according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are explanatory diagrams each showing a screen for selecting a target to be equalized (a sub screen) according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an equalization processing in the control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0010]
Next is described an embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to related drawings.
Next is described an embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to related drawings.
[0011]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a control system. The control system includes apparatuses and devices on a control side (a support apparatus 1, an operational control apparatus 2, a standby control apparatus 3, an operational input/output device 20, and a standby input/output device 30) and a plant system 4 on a controlled side, which are connected to each other via a network.
The apparatuses and devices on the control side are each configured by a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, a hard disk (a storage unit) , and a network interface.
In the computer, the CPU makes each processing part work by executing a program loaded on a memory.
[00121 Each of the control apparatuses (the operational control apparatus 2 and the standby control apparatus 3) runs a user program which exchanges control data with the plant system 4, to thereby control the plant system 4. In FIG. 3 to be described later, the user program is exemplified by a sheet illustrated in FBD (Function Block Diagram).
In FIG. 1, two control apparatuses, operational and standby, are present for redundancy. If a trouble occurs in the operational control apparatus 2 which works primarily in normal operation, the standby control apparatus 3 takes over an operation therefrom.
The operational control apparatus 2 reads a data from the plant system 4 (for example, a data measured by a sensor) via the operational input/output device 20. In normal operation, the operational control apparatus 2 also writes a data (for example, a control data such as the number of rotations of a motor) to the plant system 4.
The standby control apparatus 3 reads a data from the plant system 4 via the standby input/output device 30. In case of trouble in the operational control apparatus 2, the standby control apparatus 3, in place of the operational control apparatus 2, writes a data to the plant system 4.
Timing of switching an operation from the operational control apparatus 2 to the standby control apparatus 3 may be, for example, when an abnormal value is detected in a data which the operational control apparatus 2 or the operational input/output device 20 deals with.
[0013]
The support apparatus 1 prompts a user to specify a data to be equalized (copied) from the operational control apparatus 2 to the standby control apparatus 3, as a target to be equalized, from among all the data handled by a user program which runs on the each control apparatus.
The plant system 4 may be, for example, a thermal or nuclear power generation control and monitoring system, a traffic control and monitoring system, a water/sewerage control and monitoring system, and an industrial control and monitoring system for a steel or chemical plant, or the like.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating components of the control system.
The support apparatus 1 includes a target selection part 11, a target list table 12, a target notification part 13, and a variable number table 14.
The operational control apparatus 2 includes a management table creation part 21, a transmission management table 22, a data transmission part 23, a transmit buffer 24, a transmit-side work area 25, and a transmit-side execution part 26.
The standby control apparatus 3 includes a management table creation part 31, a reception management table 32, a data reception part 33, a receive buffer 34, a receive-side work area 35, and a receive-side execution part 36. The standby control apparatus 3 operates in parallel with the operational control apparatus 2 in normal operation.
[0015]
The target selection part 11 prompts the user to specify information on a target to be equalized via an appropriate screen for specifying a target to be equalized (FIG. 6, FIG.
8A, and FIG. 8B) and writes the result to the target list table
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a control system. The control system includes apparatuses and devices on a control side (a support apparatus 1, an operational control apparatus 2, a standby control apparatus 3, an operational input/output device 20, and a standby input/output device 30) and a plant system 4 on a controlled side, which are connected to each other via a network.
The apparatuses and devices on the control side are each configured by a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, a hard disk (a storage unit) , and a network interface.
In the computer, the CPU makes each processing part work by executing a program loaded on a memory.
[00121 Each of the control apparatuses (the operational control apparatus 2 and the standby control apparatus 3) runs a user program which exchanges control data with the plant system 4, to thereby control the plant system 4. In FIG. 3 to be described later, the user program is exemplified by a sheet illustrated in FBD (Function Block Diagram).
In FIG. 1, two control apparatuses, operational and standby, are present for redundancy. If a trouble occurs in the operational control apparatus 2 which works primarily in normal operation, the standby control apparatus 3 takes over an operation therefrom.
The operational control apparatus 2 reads a data from the plant system 4 (for example, a data measured by a sensor) via the operational input/output device 20. In normal operation, the operational control apparatus 2 also writes a data (for example, a control data such as the number of rotations of a motor) to the plant system 4.
The standby control apparatus 3 reads a data from the plant system 4 via the standby input/output device 30. In case of trouble in the operational control apparatus 2, the standby control apparatus 3, in place of the operational control apparatus 2, writes a data to the plant system 4.
Timing of switching an operation from the operational control apparatus 2 to the standby control apparatus 3 may be, for example, when an abnormal value is detected in a data which the operational control apparatus 2 or the operational input/output device 20 deals with.
[0013]
The support apparatus 1 prompts a user to specify a data to be equalized (copied) from the operational control apparatus 2 to the standby control apparatus 3, as a target to be equalized, from among all the data handled by a user program which runs on the each control apparatus.
The plant system 4 may be, for example, a thermal or nuclear power generation control and monitoring system, a traffic control and monitoring system, a water/sewerage control and monitoring system, and an industrial control and monitoring system for a steel or chemical plant, or the like.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating components of the control system.
The support apparatus 1 includes a target selection part 11, a target list table 12, a target notification part 13, and a variable number table 14.
The operational control apparatus 2 includes a management table creation part 21, a transmission management table 22, a data transmission part 23, a transmit buffer 24, a transmit-side work area 25, and a transmit-side execution part 26.
The standby control apparatus 3 includes a management table creation part 31, a reception management table 32, a data reception part 33, a receive buffer 34, a receive-side work area 35, and a receive-side execution part 36. The standby control apparatus 3 operates in parallel with the operational control apparatus 2 in normal operation.
[0015]
The target selection part 11 prompts the user to specify information on a target to be equalized via an appropriate screen for specifying a target to be equalized (FIG. 6, FIG.
8A, and FIG. 8B) and writes the result to the target list table
12 (to be described in detail hereinafter with reference to Table 1).
The target notification part 13 notifies both the management table creation part 21 and the management table creation part 31, of a target to be equalized in the target list table 12. The target notification part 13 also notifies the parts 21 and 31 of information on a variable of the target to be equalized acquired from the variable number table 1.4 (to be described in detail hereinafter with reference to Table 2).
[0016]
The management table creation part 21 makes the target to be equalized notified from the target notification part 13 associate with an address in the transmit-side work area 25 and writes the associated target to be equalized to the transmission management table 22 (to be described in detail hereinafter with reference to Table 3).
Similarly, the management table creation part 31 makes the target to be equalized notified from the target notification part 13 associate with an address in the receive-side work area 35 and writes the associated target to be equalized to the reception management table 32 (to be described in detail hereinafter with reference to Table 3).
[0017]
The transmit-side execution part 26 executes a user program (see FIG. 3) to a data stored in the transmit-side work area 25 (including both a target data to be equalized and a non-target data to be equalized) , to thereby control the plant system 4 in normal operation.
Similarly, the receive-side execution part 36 executes the user program (see FIG. 3) to a data stored in the receive-side work area 35 (including both a target data to be equalized and a non-target data to be equalized), to thereby control the plant system 4 in case of trouble.
[0018]
The data transmission part 23 reads the target data to be equalized specified in the transmission management table 22 from the transmit-side work area 25 and writes the data to the transmit buffer 24, to thereby copy (equalize) the data to the receive buffer 34.
The data reception part 33 reads the target data to be equalized specified in the reception management table 32 from the receive buffer 34 and writes the data to the receive-side work area 35, to thereby copy (equalize) the data to the transmit buffer 24.
[0019]
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a user program which runs on the control system (the transmit-side execution part 26 and the receive-side execution part 36) . In FIG. 3, a sheet described in FBD (Function Block Diagram) is illustrated as an example of a graphic description control programming language. However, other control programming language such as SFC and ladder diagram may be used. Note that FBD is suited to operate a large-scale program or operate a system for a long time period focusing on availability.
A source code of FBD or a program code created by compiling the source code is stored in a database (not shown) in the respective control apparatuses.
[0020]
In FIG. 3, one rectangular-shaped block (for example, input #1 and AM #12) represents one function element.
In a function element, a function element ID (for example, AM #12) which uniquely determines the function element is described (see Table 3 where appropriate) . A remained portion by removing "#" and the following from the function element ID
(for example, "AM" which represents an analog memory) shows a function type to which the function element belongs. Note that respective function types shown in FIG. 3 (such as input, output, MR, SG, SUM, SG, SUM, PID, ASW, FG, AM, and FFS) will be detailed later with reference to the variable number table 14 of Table 2. For a few examples, a function type of "input" represents a data input from the plant system 4. A function type of "output" represents a data output to the plant system 4.
[0021]
The function elements are connected by connection lines with arrows indicating data input and output. For example, a function element "MR #3" creates one output data (an output data to SUM #5) from two input data (one from input #1 and another from input #2).
[0022]
FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a relationship between constituent elements of a user program and a target to be equalized.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 4A, a target to be equalized is specified by collecting a set of data constituting the target, into a "task" having a large granularity, a "loop" having a medium granularity, or a "sheet" having a small granularity. Those units used in the specifying are also units of partitioning (managing) a user program stored in the control apparatuses.
The "sheet" used herein is electronic data illustrated in FBD
as explained above with reference to FIG. 3. In one control apparatus, one or more tasks of a user program are present. In one task, one or more sheets are present.
[0024]
li As shown in FIG. 4B, in one sheet, one or more function elements are present (in FIG. 3, AM #12 and the like). The function elements are grouped by function types (in FIG. 3, AM
and the like). One function element is associated with: one element F (flag) indicating whether or not a target to be equalized is specified by the unit of the function element; and one or more variables dealt with by the function element.
Further, one variable is associated with one variable F (flag) indicating whether or not a target to be equalized is specified by the unit of the variable.
[0025]
Relationship between an element F and a variable F is determined according to rules 1) to 4) as follows. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed herein that an element F (Fa) of a function element A, a variable F (Fb) of a variable B in the function element A, and a variable F (Fc) of a variable C in the function element A are present.
1) If the element F has a value identical with the variable F, follow a flag thereof. For example, if Fa=ON and Fb=ON, the variable B is determined as a target to be equalized ("ON"
represents being determined as a target to be equalized).
2) If the element F alone is specified and the variable F is not specified, follow a flag of the element F. For example, if Fa=ON and Fb=not yet specified, the variable B is determined as a target to be equalized.
3) If the element F has a value different from that of the variable F, follow a flag of the variable F. For example, if Fa=ON and Fb=OFF, the variable B is determined as a non-target to be equalized (OFF represents being determined as a non-target to be equalized).
4) If all variables F belonging to a given element has identical values and the identical value of all the variables F is different from a value of an element F of the element, the value of the element F is changed to the value of the variable F. For example, if Fa=ON, Fb=OFF, and Fc=OFF, Fa is changed from ON to OFF.
[0026]
[Table 1]
Target List Table 12 Sheet Functional Element F Variable Variable F
Element 2 input #1 MST ON
2 input #2 ON
2 MR #3 2 SG #4 ON
2 SUM #5 2 PID #6 PID4 (integrated value) 2 ASW #7 2 input #8 2 FG #9 2 input #10 2 input #11 2 AM #12 2 output #13 2 input #14 RSP
2 input #15 2 FFS #16 xxSW-ON ON
(previous value) 2 output #17 [0027]
The target notification part 13 notifies both the management table creation part 21 and the management table creation part 31, of a target to be equalized in the target list table 12. The target notification part 13 also notifies the parts 21 and 31 of information on a variable of the target to be equalized acquired from the variable number table 1.4 (to be described in detail hereinafter with reference to Table 2).
[0016]
The management table creation part 21 makes the target to be equalized notified from the target notification part 13 associate with an address in the transmit-side work area 25 and writes the associated target to be equalized to the transmission management table 22 (to be described in detail hereinafter with reference to Table 3).
Similarly, the management table creation part 31 makes the target to be equalized notified from the target notification part 13 associate with an address in the receive-side work area 35 and writes the associated target to be equalized to the reception management table 32 (to be described in detail hereinafter with reference to Table 3).
[0017]
The transmit-side execution part 26 executes a user program (see FIG. 3) to a data stored in the transmit-side work area 25 (including both a target data to be equalized and a non-target data to be equalized) , to thereby control the plant system 4 in normal operation.
Similarly, the receive-side execution part 36 executes the user program (see FIG. 3) to a data stored in the receive-side work area 35 (including both a target data to be equalized and a non-target data to be equalized), to thereby control the plant system 4 in case of trouble.
[0018]
The data transmission part 23 reads the target data to be equalized specified in the transmission management table 22 from the transmit-side work area 25 and writes the data to the transmit buffer 24, to thereby copy (equalize) the data to the receive buffer 34.
The data reception part 33 reads the target data to be equalized specified in the reception management table 32 from the receive buffer 34 and writes the data to the receive-side work area 35, to thereby copy (equalize) the data to the transmit buffer 24.
[0019]
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a user program which runs on the control system (the transmit-side execution part 26 and the receive-side execution part 36) . In FIG. 3, a sheet described in FBD (Function Block Diagram) is illustrated as an example of a graphic description control programming language. However, other control programming language such as SFC and ladder diagram may be used. Note that FBD is suited to operate a large-scale program or operate a system for a long time period focusing on availability.
A source code of FBD or a program code created by compiling the source code is stored in a database (not shown) in the respective control apparatuses.
[0020]
In FIG. 3, one rectangular-shaped block (for example, input #1 and AM #12) represents one function element.
In a function element, a function element ID (for example, AM #12) which uniquely determines the function element is described (see Table 3 where appropriate) . A remained portion by removing "#" and the following from the function element ID
(for example, "AM" which represents an analog memory) shows a function type to which the function element belongs. Note that respective function types shown in FIG. 3 (such as input, output, MR, SG, SUM, SG, SUM, PID, ASW, FG, AM, and FFS) will be detailed later with reference to the variable number table 14 of Table 2. For a few examples, a function type of "input" represents a data input from the plant system 4. A function type of "output" represents a data output to the plant system 4.
[0021]
The function elements are connected by connection lines with arrows indicating data input and output. For example, a function element "MR #3" creates one output data (an output data to SUM #5) from two input data (one from input #1 and another from input #2).
[0022]
FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a relationship between constituent elements of a user program and a target to be equalized.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 4A, a target to be equalized is specified by collecting a set of data constituting the target, into a "task" having a large granularity, a "loop" having a medium granularity, or a "sheet" having a small granularity. Those units used in the specifying are also units of partitioning (managing) a user program stored in the control apparatuses.
The "sheet" used herein is electronic data illustrated in FBD
as explained above with reference to FIG. 3. In one control apparatus, one or more tasks of a user program are present. In one task, one or more sheets are present.
[0024]
li As shown in FIG. 4B, in one sheet, one or more function elements are present (in FIG. 3, AM #12 and the like). The function elements are grouped by function types (in FIG. 3, AM
and the like). One function element is associated with: one element F (flag) indicating whether or not a target to be equalized is specified by the unit of the function element; and one or more variables dealt with by the function element.
Further, one variable is associated with one variable F (flag) indicating whether or not a target to be equalized is specified by the unit of the variable.
[0025]
Relationship between an element F and a variable F is determined according to rules 1) to 4) as follows. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed herein that an element F (Fa) of a function element A, a variable F (Fb) of a variable B in the function element A, and a variable F (Fc) of a variable C in the function element A are present.
1) If the element F has a value identical with the variable F, follow a flag thereof. For example, if Fa=ON and Fb=ON, the variable B is determined as a target to be equalized ("ON"
represents being determined as a target to be equalized).
2) If the element F alone is specified and the variable F is not specified, follow a flag of the element F. For example, if Fa=ON and Fb=not yet specified, the variable B is determined as a target to be equalized.
3) If the element F has a value different from that of the variable F, follow a flag of the variable F. For example, if Fa=ON and Fb=OFF, the variable B is determined as a non-target to be equalized (OFF represents being determined as a non-target to be equalized).
4) If all variables F belonging to a given element has identical values and the identical value of all the variables F is different from a value of an element F of the element, the value of the element F is changed to the value of the variable F. For example, if Fa=ON, Fb=OFF, and Fc=OFF, Fa is changed from ON to OFF.
[0026]
[Table 1]
Target List Table 12 Sheet Functional Element F Variable Variable F
Element 2 input #1 MST ON
2 input #2 ON
2 MR #3 2 SG #4 ON
2 SUM #5 2 PID #6 PID4 (integrated value) 2 ASW #7 2 input #8 2 FG #9 2 input #10 2 input #11 2 AM #12 2 output #13 2 input #14 RSP
2 input #15 2 FFS #16 xxSW-ON ON
(previous value) 2 output #17 [0027]
13 Table 1 shows the target list table 12. The target list table 12 stores therein, for each variable of a target to be equalized specified by a user via the target selection part 11, a sheet to which the variable is calculated and outputted, a function element to which the variable belongs, an element F
of the function element, a variable of the target to be equalized, and a variable F of the variable, which are associated with each other.
[0028]
[Table 2]
Variable Number Table 14 Function Type Number of Variable Grouping Variables Input 1 output value Output 0 MR (monitor relay) 1 output value SG (signal generator) 1 output value SUM (difference generator) 1 output value PID (proportional 2 output value, integrator internal retained differentiator) value ASW (switch) 1 output value FG (function generator) 1 output value AM (analog memory) 2 internal retained value, output value FFS (flip-flops) 2 internal retained value, output value [0029]
Table 2 shows the variable number table 14. The variable number table 14 stores therein, for each function type, the number of variables owned by a function element which belongs to the function type, and a grouping of the each variable (an output value to an other function element or an internal
of the function element, a variable of the target to be equalized, and a variable F of the variable, which are associated with each other.
[0028]
[Table 2]
Variable Number Table 14 Function Type Number of Variable Grouping Variables Input 1 output value Output 0 MR (monitor relay) 1 output value SG (signal generator) 1 output value SUM (difference generator) 1 output value PID (proportional 2 output value, integrator internal retained differentiator) value ASW (switch) 1 output value FG (function generator) 1 output value AM (analog memory) 2 internal retained value, output value FFS (flip-flops) 2 internal retained value, output value [0029]
Table 2 shows the variable number table 14. The variable number table 14 stores therein, for each function type, the number of variables owned by a function element which belongs to the function type, and a grouping of the each variable (an output value to an other function element or an internal
14 retained value internally retained by the function element), which are associated with each other. Note that, if a data is equalized (placed) into the receive-side work area 35, in order to successively locate a certain number of addresses of necessary variables for each function element, the number of variables is used for determining a size required for the successively-located addresses. The number of variables is also used for specifying the number of records when the target list table 12 is created because one record in the target list table 12 corresponds to one variable.
[0030]
[Table 3]
Transmission Management Table 22 (Reception Management Table 32) Sheet Functional Element Variable Variable Variable Element F F Storage Address 2 input #1 MST ON Ox0101 2 input #2 ON 0x0201 2 MR #3 2 SG #4 ON 0x0301 2 SUM #5 2 PID #6 PID4 (integrated value) 2 ASW #7 2 input #8 2 FG #9 2 input #10 2 input #11 2 AM #12 2 output #13 2 input #14 RSP
2 input #15 2 FFS #16 xxSW-ON ON 0x0401 (previous value) 2 output #17 [0031]
Table 3 shows the transmission management table 22 or the reception management table 32. The tables 22, 32 are created from the same data source (the target list table 12) and have the same columns.
Data in five columns from the leftmost of the transmission management table 22 is the same as that of the target list table 12. Data in the rightmost column of "Variable Storage Address"
includes an address of a work area in which a data of a target to be equalized is stored.
In the transmission management table 22, the column of "Variable Storage Address" represents the transmit-side work area 25. Meanwhile, in the reception management table 32, the column of "Variable Storage Address" represents the receive-side work area 35.
[0032]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of an equalization processing in the control system. The processing is performed, for example, repeatedly at regular intervals.
[0033]
In 5101, the target selection part 11 prompts a user to specify information on a target to be equalized via a specifying screen (see FIG. 6, FIG. 8A, or FIG. 8B) of the target to be equalized.
In 5102, the target selection part 11 writes a result specified in S101, to the target list table 12. The target notification part 13 notifies both the management table creation part 21 and the management table creation part 31 of the target to be equalized in the target list table 12 (which may also be referred to as equalization possible/impossible information, such as an element F for each function element and a variable F for each variable).
In S103, the management table creation part 21 associates the target to be equalized notified from the target notification part 13 with an address in the transmit-side work area 25 and writes the associated target to be equalized, to the transmission management table 22.
In 5104, the management table creation part 31 associates the target to be equalized notified from the target notification part 13 with an address in the receive-side work area 35 and writes the associated target to be equalized, to the reception management table 32.
[0034]
In S105, the data transmission part 23 reads a data on the target to be equalized specified in the transmission management table 22, from the transmit-side work area 25 and writes the data to the transmit buffer 24, to thereby copy (equalize) the data into the receive buffer 34. Herein, a packet transmitted from the operational control apparatus 2 to the standby control apparatus 3 contains information in a header portion, a data portion, and a footer portion as follows.
[Header portion] A function code indicating a data equalization, a source ID, a destination ID, a serial number of the packet, and a data total length.
[Data portion] A data as a target to be equalized which is aligned in an order of records in the transmission management table 22. The data as a target to be equalized can be identified by a relationship between the element F and the variable F as described above.
[Footer portion] a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) code for authenticating the packet.
[0035]
In S106, the data reception part 33 reads the data as a target to be equalized specified in the reception management table 32, from the receive buffer 34 and writes the data to the receive-side work area 35, to thereby copy (equalize) the data from the transmit buffer 24.
[0036]
Next are described S101b to S106 in which the user reselects the target to be equalized selected in 5101. Note that a reselection of a target to be equalized is performed when, for example, a user program is replaced by another, or a configuration of the plant system 4 is changed.
In S101b, the user reselects the target to be equalized selected in 5101. In S102b to S104b, a modified difference between before and after the equalization is reflected on the target list table 12, the transmission management table 22, and the reception management table 32, respectively.
In S105 and S106, based on the each modified table, an equalization processing of an appropriate data as a target to be equalized is performed. For example, if a data is changed from a target to a non-target to be equalized in the modification in S101b, an equalization processing of the data is suspended. Or, if a data is changed from a non-target to a target to be equalized in the modification in S101b, an equalization processing of the data is started.
[0037]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen for selecting a target to be equalized (a main screen).
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing of selecting a target to be equalized via the main screen of FIG.
6 (5101, S101b). Next is described the processing of FIG. 7 with reference to FIG. 6 where necessary.
[0038]
The main screen of FIG. 6 displays four search criteria specifying windows (namely, "Select Unit for Specifying Target to be Equalized", "Select Sheet", "Select Function Type", and "Select Variable") and three click buttons ("Go to Element Flag Specifying Screen", "Go to Variable Flag Specifying Screen", and "Flag OK").
Those operational means on the main screen allows a processing of selecting a target to be equalized in detail, which can prevent the user from failing to properly specify a data to be equalized.
[0039]
In S201, the window of "Select Unit for Specifying Target to be Equalized" shown at upper left of the main screen and displaying radio buttons is used. The radio buttons are used for selecting a unit of partitioning a program shown in FIG.
4A. The window displays a list (for example, the window of "Select Sheet" of "Sheet") corresponding to a program partitioning unit (for example, "Sheet") selected by one of the radio buttons.
[0040]
In S202, the window of "Select Sheet" shown at upper right of the main screen and displaying some checkboxes is used. One or more of the checkboxes are selected for narrowing down a sheet on which an element F or a variable F for selecting a target to be equalized, from a list of a sheet of a user program is described. A sheet selected by a corresponding checkbox is set as a narrow down criteria.
[0041]
In S203, the window of "Select Function Type" shown at lower left of the main screen and displaying some checkboxes is used. One or more of the checkboxes are selected for narrowing down an element F by a function type to which the element F belongs. A function type selected by a corresponding checkbox is set as a narrow down criteria.
[0042]
In S204, the window of "Select Variable" shown at lower right of the main screen and displaying some radio buttons for selecting a target to be equalized is used. The radio button is selected for narrowing down a variable F for selecting a target to be equalized. The variable F is narrowed down by whether a type of the variable F is an internal retained value or an output value. The variable type selected by a corresponding radio button is set as a narrow down criteria.
[0043]
All the narrow down criterion specified in the four windows respectively described in S201 to S204 are used as an AND condition (a plurality of conditions are simultaneously met) for narrowing down an element displayed on an element flag specifying screen (to be described later in S206) or a variable displayed on a variable flag specifying screen (to be described later in S207) . This makes it possible to narrow down a data as a target to be equalized before a list of the target data is actually displayed for user's selection. Thus, operability can be improved, and failure in specifying a data which should be equalized can be reduced.
[0044]
In order for the standby control apparatus 3 to take over a control operation from the operational control apparatus 2, it is enough in many cases that only a data to be used as a default value for a control computing after the takeover is equalized. Such a data may include an input value inputted through a process input or an input via communications, a sum value by differential or integral calculus, an elapse time of a timer, the number of counters, and a memory of a flip-flop.
Thus, a target to be equalized can be specified efficiently by specifying a data necessary to be equalized using a function type thereof as a narrow down criteria in the window for narrowing down the function type.
[ 0045]
In S205, if the button of "Go to Element Flag Specifying Screen" is pressed down, then, in S206, the element flag specifying screen of FIG. 8A to be described later appears. The screen displays a list of function elements in the target list table 12. The user is prompted to select one or more variables each corresponding to a target to be equalized by selecting an appropriate checkbox. The selected result is reflected on the element F.
In S205, if the button of "Go to Variable Flag Specifying Screen" is pressed down, then, in S207, the variable flag specifying screen of FIG. 8B to be described later appears. The screen displays a list of variables in the target list table 12. The user is prompted to select one or more variables each corresponding to a target to be equalized by selecting an appropriate checkbox. The selected result is reflected on the variable F.
In S205, if the button of "Flag OK" is pressed down, then the processing of specifying a target to be equalized (SlOl) terminates and advances to S102 (creation of the target list table 12).
[0046]
FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are explanatory diagrams each showing a screen for selecting a target to be equalized (a sub screen) .
In order to prompt the user to select a data to be equalized (a function element or a variable) , a candidate list is created and presented to the user on the screen. This makes it possible to realize an efficient data selection operation.
[0047]
The element flag specifying screen of FIG. 8A displays the list for selecting a target data to be equalized. The list includes a function element in a user program, an element F
corresponding thereto, and a sheet to which the function element belongs. The user is prompted to select an appropriate checkbox in a column of the element F. This makes it possible for the user to specify, for the each function element, a target to be equalized (with a checkbox checked) or a non-target to be equalized (with a checkbox unchecked).
[0048]
The variable flag specifying screen of FIG. 8B also displays the list for selecting a target data to be equalized.
The list includes a variable in a user program, a variable F
corresponding thereto, a function element to which the variable belongs, and a sheet to which the function element belongs. The user is prompted to select an appropriate checkbox in a column of the variable F. This makes it possible for the user to specify, for the each variable, a target to be equalized (with a checkbox checked) or a non-target to be equalized (with a checkbox unchecked).
[0049]
As described above with reference to FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, a target to be equalized can be specified in detail by such a unit as a function element and a variable. Thus, regarding a data as a non-target to be equalized, a program which runs on the transmit-side execution part 26 of the operational control apparatus 2 (to be hereinafter referred to as Program A) may be different from a program which runs on the receive-side execution part 36 of the standby control apparatus 3 (to be hereinafter referred to as Program B).
Thus, while the operational control apparatus 2 continues a control operation of Program A before modification, it is possible to check whether or not Program B after the modification works on an actual implementation using the standby control apparatus 3. This allows improvement in completeness and security. Further, if Program A in the operational control apparatus 2 is switched to Program B in the standby control apparatus 3 after checking Program B, it is not necessary to stop equipment of the plant system 4 for program modification. This can result in improvement in productivity.
[0050]
FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are explanatory diagrams showing an equalization processing in the control system. Each horizontal axis represents time. Each vertical axis represents an integrated value at a proportional integrator differentiator (PID) as an example of a variable of a target to be equalized.
It will be understood that the integrated value takes a larger value as the time elapses. Next is described an example in which an integrated value of the operational control apparatus 2 is larger than an integrated value of the standby control apparatus 3, because the standby control apparatus 3 starts operating some time after the operational control apparatus 2 starts operating.
[0051]
FIG. 9A illustrates a case in which an equalization is not performed. If a trouble occurs in the operational control apparatus 2 and operations therein are taken over to the standby control apparatus 3, an integrated value of the standby control apparatus 3 is newly used after the takeover because an integrated value of the operational control apparatus 2 cannot be used any more. The integrated value of the standby control apparatus 3 is extremely smaller than the integrated value of the operational control apparatus 2. A large difference between the two integrated values means an abrupt change in the integrated values. This negatively affects the plant system 4.
[0052]
FIG. 9B illustrates a case in which an equalization is performed. If a trouble occurs in the operational control apparatus 2 and operations therein are taken over to the standby control apparatus 3, the integrated value of the operational control apparatus 2 as it is can be used as the integrated value of the standby control apparatus 3. This means that an abrupt change in the integrated values does not take place, thus enabling a smooth control of the plant system 4 even when a trouble occurs.
[0053]
In this embodiment as described above, a target to be equalized is specified in detail by such a unit as a function element and a variable using the screens for selecting a target to be equalized (the sub screens) shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, respectively. This makes it possible to efficiently select a data to be equalized in a redundant system.
Further, in order to avoid too many number of candidate targets to be equalized, a narrow down criteria can be specified on the screen for selecting a target to be equalized (the main screen) of FIG. 6. This makes it possible to efficiently narrow down the candidates before a list is actually displayed.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMEREALS
[0054]
1 support apparatus (data to be equalized selection apparatus) 2 operational control apparatus 3 standby control apparatus 20 operational input/output device 30 standby input/output device 4 plant system 11 target selection part (target selection unit) 12 target list table 13 target notification part (target notification unit) 14 variable number table 21 management table creation part 22 transmission management table 23 data transmission part 24 transmit buffer 25 transmit-side work area 26 transmit-side execution part 31 management table creation part 32 reception management table 33 data reception part 34 receive buffer 35 receive-side work area 36 receive-side execution part
[0030]
[Table 3]
Transmission Management Table 22 (Reception Management Table 32) Sheet Functional Element Variable Variable Variable Element F F Storage Address 2 input #1 MST ON Ox0101 2 input #2 ON 0x0201 2 MR #3 2 SG #4 ON 0x0301 2 SUM #5 2 PID #6 PID4 (integrated value) 2 ASW #7 2 input #8 2 FG #9 2 input #10 2 input #11 2 AM #12 2 output #13 2 input #14 RSP
2 input #15 2 FFS #16 xxSW-ON ON 0x0401 (previous value) 2 output #17 [0031]
Table 3 shows the transmission management table 22 or the reception management table 32. The tables 22, 32 are created from the same data source (the target list table 12) and have the same columns.
Data in five columns from the leftmost of the transmission management table 22 is the same as that of the target list table 12. Data in the rightmost column of "Variable Storage Address"
includes an address of a work area in which a data of a target to be equalized is stored.
In the transmission management table 22, the column of "Variable Storage Address" represents the transmit-side work area 25. Meanwhile, in the reception management table 32, the column of "Variable Storage Address" represents the receive-side work area 35.
[0032]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of an equalization processing in the control system. The processing is performed, for example, repeatedly at regular intervals.
[0033]
In 5101, the target selection part 11 prompts a user to specify information on a target to be equalized via a specifying screen (see FIG. 6, FIG. 8A, or FIG. 8B) of the target to be equalized.
In 5102, the target selection part 11 writes a result specified in S101, to the target list table 12. The target notification part 13 notifies both the management table creation part 21 and the management table creation part 31 of the target to be equalized in the target list table 12 (which may also be referred to as equalization possible/impossible information, such as an element F for each function element and a variable F for each variable).
In S103, the management table creation part 21 associates the target to be equalized notified from the target notification part 13 with an address in the transmit-side work area 25 and writes the associated target to be equalized, to the transmission management table 22.
In 5104, the management table creation part 31 associates the target to be equalized notified from the target notification part 13 with an address in the receive-side work area 35 and writes the associated target to be equalized, to the reception management table 32.
[0034]
In S105, the data transmission part 23 reads a data on the target to be equalized specified in the transmission management table 22, from the transmit-side work area 25 and writes the data to the transmit buffer 24, to thereby copy (equalize) the data into the receive buffer 34. Herein, a packet transmitted from the operational control apparatus 2 to the standby control apparatus 3 contains information in a header portion, a data portion, and a footer portion as follows.
[Header portion] A function code indicating a data equalization, a source ID, a destination ID, a serial number of the packet, and a data total length.
[Data portion] A data as a target to be equalized which is aligned in an order of records in the transmission management table 22. The data as a target to be equalized can be identified by a relationship between the element F and the variable F as described above.
[Footer portion] a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) code for authenticating the packet.
[0035]
In S106, the data reception part 33 reads the data as a target to be equalized specified in the reception management table 32, from the receive buffer 34 and writes the data to the receive-side work area 35, to thereby copy (equalize) the data from the transmit buffer 24.
[0036]
Next are described S101b to S106 in which the user reselects the target to be equalized selected in 5101. Note that a reselection of a target to be equalized is performed when, for example, a user program is replaced by another, or a configuration of the plant system 4 is changed.
In S101b, the user reselects the target to be equalized selected in 5101. In S102b to S104b, a modified difference between before and after the equalization is reflected on the target list table 12, the transmission management table 22, and the reception management table 32, respectively.
In S105 and S106, based on the each modified table, an equalization processing of an appropriate data as a target to be equalized is performed. For example, if a data is changed from a target to a non-target to be equalized in the modification in S101b, an equalization processing of the data is suspended. Or, if a data is changed from a non-target to a target to be equalized in the modification in S101b, an equalization processing of the data is started.
[0037]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen for selecting a target to be equalized (a main screen).
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing of selecting a target to be equalized via the main screen of FIG.
6 (5101, S101b). Next is described the processing of FIG. 7 with reference to FIG. 6 where necessary.
[0038]
The main screen of FIG. 6 displays four search criteria specifying windows (namely, "Select Unit for Specifying Target to be Equalized", "Select Sheet", "Select Function Type", and "Select Variable") and three click buttons ("Go to Element Flag Specifying Screen", "Go to Variable Flag Specifying Screen", and "Flag OK").
Those operational means on the main screen allows a processing of selecting a target to be equalized in detail, which can prevent the user from failing to properly specify a data to be equalized.
[0039]
In S201, the window of "Select Unit for Specifying Target to be Equalized" shown at upper left of the main screen and displaying radio buttons is used. The radio buttons are used for selecting a unit of partitioning a program shown in FIG.
4A. The window displays a list (for example, the window of "Select Sheet" of "Sheet") corresponding to a program partitioning unit (for example, "Sheet") selected by one of the radio buttons.
[0040]
In S202, the window of "Select Sheet" shown at upper right of the main screen and displaying some checkboxes is used. One or more of the checkboxes are selected for narrowing down a sheet on which an element F or a variable F for selecting a target to be equalized, from a list of a sheet of a user program is described. A sheet selected by a corresponding checkbox is set as a narrow down criteria.
[0041]
In S203, the window of "Select Function Type" shown at lower left of the main screen and displaying some checkboxes is used. One or more of the checkboxes are selected for narrowing down an element F by a function type to which the element F belongs. A function type selected by a corresponding checkbox is set as a narrow down criteria.
[0042]
In S204, the window of "Select Variable" shown at lower right of the main screen and displaying some radio buttons for selecting a target to be equalized is used. The radio button is selected for narrowing down a variable F for selecting a target to be equalized. The variable F is narrowed down by whether a type of the variable F is an internal retained value or an output value. The variable type selected by a corresponding radio button is set as a narrow down criteria.
[0043]
All the narrow down criterion specified in the four windows respectively described in S201 to S204 are used as an AND condition (a plurality of conditions are simultaneously met) for narrowing down an element displayed on an element flag specifying screen (to be described later in S206) or a variable displayed on a variable flag specifying screen (to be described later in S207) . This makes it possible to narrow down a data as a target to be equalized before a list of the target data is actually displayed for user's selection. Thus, operability can be improved, and failure in specifying a data which should be equalized can be reduced.
[0044]
In order for the standby control apparatus 3 to take over a control operation from the operational control apparatus 2, it is enough in many cases that only a data to be used as a default value for a control computing after the takeover is equalized. Such a data may include an input value inputted through a process input or an input via communications, a sum value by differential or integral calculus, an elapse time of a timer, the number of counters, and a memory of a flip-flop.
Thus, a target to be equalized can be specified efficiently by specifying a data necessary to be equalized using a function type thereof as a narrow down criteria in the window for narrowing down the function type.
[ 0045]
In S205, if the button of "Go to Element Flag Specifying Screen" is pressed down, then, in S206, the element flag specifying screen of FIG. 8A to be described later appears. The screen displays a list of function elements in the target list table 12. The user is prompted to select one or more variables each corresponding to a target to be equalized by selecting an appropriate checkbox. The selected result is reflected on the element F.
In S205, if the button of "Go to Variable Flag Specifying Screen" is pressed down, then, in S207, the variable flag specifying screen of FIG. 8B to be described later appears. The screen displays a list of variables in the target list table 12. The user is prompted to select one or more variables each corresponding to a target to be equalized by selecting an appropriate checkbox. The selected result is reflected on the variable F.
In S205, if the button of "Flag OK" is pressed down, then the processing of specifying a target to be equalized (SlOl) terminates and advances to S102 (creation of the target list table 12).
[0046]
FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are explanatory diagrams each showing a screen for selecting a target to be equalized (a sub screen) .
In order to prompt the user to select a data to be equalized (a function element or a variable) , a candidate list is created and presented to the user on the screen. This makes it possible to realize an efficient data selection operation.
[0047]
The element flag specifying screen of FIG. 8A displays the list for selecting a target data to be equalized. The list includes a function element in a user program, an element F
corresponding thereto, and a sheet to which the function element belongs. The user is prompted to select an appropriate checkbox in a column of the element F. This makes it possible for the user to specify, for the each function element, a target to be equalized (with a checkbox checked) or a non-target to be equalized (with a checkbox unchecked).
[0048]
The variable flag specifying screen of FIG. 8B also displays the list for selecting a target data to be equalized.
The list includes a variable in a user program, a variable F
corresponding thereto, a function element to which the variable belongs, and a sheet to which the function element belongs. The user is prompted to select an appropriate checkbox in a column of the variable F. This makes it possible for the user to specify, for the each variable, a target to be equalized (with a checkbox checked) or a non-target to be equalized (with a checkbox unchecked).
[0049]
As described above with reference to FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, a target to be equalized can be specified in detail by such a unit as a function element and a variable. Thus, regarding a data as a non-target to be equalized, a program which runs on the transmit-side execution part 26 of the operational control apparatus 2 (to be hereinafter referred to as Program A) may be different from a program which runs on the receive-side execution part 36 of the standby control apparatus 3 (to be hereinafter referred to as Program B).
Thus, while the operational control apparatus 2 continues a control operation of Program A before modification, it is possible to check whether or not Program B after the modification works on an actual implementation using the standby control apparatus 3. This allows improvement in completeness and security. Further, if Program A in the operational control apparatus 2 is switched to Program B in the standby control apparatus 3 after checking Program B, it is not necessary to stop equipment of the plant system 4 for program modification. This can result in improvement in productivity.
[0050]
FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are explanatory diagrams showing an equalization processing in the control system. Each horizontal axis represents time. Each vertical axis represents an integrated value at a proportional integrator differentiator (PID) as an example of a variable of a target to be equalized.
It will be understood that the integrated value takes a larger value as the time elapses. Next is described an example in which an integrated value of the operational control apparatus 2 is larger than an integrated value of the standby control apparatus 3, because the standby control apparatus 3 starts operating some time after the operational control apparatus 2 starts operating.
[0051]
FIG. 9A illustrates a case in which an equalization is not performed. If a trouble occurs in the operational control apparatus 2 and operations therein are taken over to the standby control apparatus 3, an integrated value of the standby control apparatus 3 is newly used after the takeover because an integrated value of the operational control apparatus 2 cannot be used any more. The integrated value of the standby control apparatus 3 is extremely smaller than the integrated value of the operational control apparatus 2. A large difference between the two integrated values means an abrupt change in the integrated values. This negatively affects the plant system 4.
[0052]
FIG. 9B illustrates a case in which an equalization is performed. If a trouble occurs in the operational control apparatus 2 and operations therein are taken over to the standby control apparatus 3, the integrated value of the operational control apparatus 2 as it is can be used as the integrated value of the standby control apparatus 3. This means that an abrupt change in the integrated values does not take place, thus enabling a smooth control of the plant system 4 even when a trouble occurs.
[0053]
In this embodiment as described above, a target to be equalized is specified in detail by such a unit as a function element and a variable using the screens for selecting a target to be equalized (the sub screens) shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, respectively. This makes it possible to efficiently select a data to be equalized in a redundant system.
Further, in order to avoid too many number of candidate targets to be equalized, a narrow down criteria can be specified on the screen for selecting a target to be equalized (the main screen) of FIG. 6. This makes it possible to efficiently narrow down the candidates before a list is actually displayed.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMEREALS
[0054]
1 support apparatus (data to be equalized selection apparatus) 2 operational control apparatus 3 standby control apparatus 20 operational input/output device 30 standby input/output device 4 plant system 11 target selection part (target selection unit) 12 target list table 13 target notification part (target notification unit) 14 variable number table 21 management table creation part 22 transmission management table 23 data transmission part 24 transmit buffer 25 transmit-side work area 26 transmit-side execution part 31 management table creation part 32 reception management table 33 data reception part 34 receive buffer 35 receive-side work area 36 receive-side execution part
Claims (9)
1. A plant control system, comprising:
an operational control apparatus and a standby control apparatus each of which executes a control program for controlling a plant system; and a data to be equalized selection apparatus that, if a control data in the operational control apparatus is equalized to a corresponding control data in the standby control apparatus, selects the data to be equalized, wherein the data to be equalized selection apparatus comprises:
a storage unit that stores therein, for each function element constituting the control program, a data on each variable dealt with by the function element, as a candidate data for the data to be equalized;
a target selection unit that presents a variable of the candidate data read from the storage unit, in form of a list for each variable and prompts a user to select a data to be equalized from the list; and a target notification unit that notifies each of the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus, of equalization possible/impossible information for each variable, the equalization possible/impossible information being identification information on the selected data to be equalized, and makes the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus execute an equalization processing of the data to be equalized for each variable from the operational control apparatus to the standby control apparatus.
an operational control apparatus and a standby control apparatus each of which executes a control program for controlling a plant system; and a data to be equalized selection apparatus that, if a control data in the operational control apparatus is equalized to a corresponding control data in the standby control apparatus, selects the data to be equalized, wherein the data to be equalized selection apparatus comprises:
a storage unit that stores therein, for each function element constituting the control program, a data on each variable dealt with by the function element, as a candidate data for the data to be equalized;
a target selection unit that presents a variable of the candidate data read from the storage unit, in form of a list for each variable and prompts a user to select a data to be equalized from the list; and a target notification unit that notifies each of the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus, of equalization possible/impossible information for each variable, the equalization possible/impossible information being identification information on the selected data to be equalized, and makes the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus execute an equalization processing of the data to be equalized for each variable from the operational control apparatus to the standby control apparatus.
2. The plant control system according to claim 1, wherein the target selection unit receives an input of a narrow down criteria for each unit for partitioning the control program and creates a list which prompts the user to select a data to be equalized from the candidate data which satisfies the received narrow down criteria.
3. The plant control system according to claim 1, wherein the target selection unit receives an input of a narrow down criteria for each function type to which a function element of the control program belongs and creates a list which prompts the user to select the data to be equalized from the candidate data which satisfies the received narrow down criteria.
4. A data to be equalized selection apparatus, comprising:
an operational control apparatus and a standby control apparatus each of which executes a control program for controlling a plant system; and a data to be equalized selection apparatus that, if a control data in the operational control apparatus is equalized to a corresponding control data in the standby control apparatus, selects a data to be equalized, the data to be equalized selection apparatus being used in a plant control system which is made redundant by the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus, wherein the data to be equalized selection apparatus comprises:
a storage unit that stores therein, for each function element constituting the control program, a data on each variable dealt with by the function element, as a candidate data for the data to be equalized;
a target selection unit that presents a variable of the candidate data read from the storage unit, in form of a list for each variable and prompts a user to select a data to be equalized from the list; and a target notification unit that notifies each of the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus, of equalization possible/impossible information for each variable, the equalization possible/impossible information being identification information on the selected data to be equalized, and makes the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus execute an equalization processing of the data to be equalized for each variable from the operational control apparatus to the standby control apparatus.
an operational control apparatus and a standby control apparatus each of which executes a control program for controlling a plant system; and a data to be equalized selection apparatus that, if a control data in the operational control apparatus is equalized to a corresponding control data in the standby control apparatus, selects a data to be equalized, the data to be equalized selection apparatus being used in a plant control system which is made redundant by the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus, wherein the data to be equalized selection apparatus comprises:
a storage unit that stores therein, for each function element constituting the control program, a data on each variable dealt with by the function element, as a candidate data for the data to be equalized;
a target selection unit that presents a variable of the candidate data read from the storage unit, in form of a list for each variable and prompts a user to select a data to be equalized from the list; and a target notification unit that notifies each of the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus, of equalization possible/impossible information for each variable, the equalization possible/impossible information being identification information on the selected data to be equalized, and makes the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus execute an equalization processing of the data to be equalized for each variable from the operational control apparatus to the standby control apparatus.
5. A data to be equalized selection apparatus in a system which is made redundant by an operational control apparatus and a standby control apparatus each of which executes a control program for controlling a plant system, the data to be equalized selection apparatus which , if a control data in the operational control apparatus is equalized to a corresponding control data in the standby control apparatus, selects a data to be equalized, the data to be equalized selection apparatus, comprising:
a storage unit that stores therein, for each function element constituting the control program, a data on each variable dealt with by the function element, as a candidate data for the data to be equalized;
a target selection unit that presents, based on the variable of the candidate data read from the storage unit, in form of a list for each function element to which the variable belongs, and prompts a user to select a data to be equalized from the list; and a target notification unit that notifies each of the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus, of equalization possible/impossible information for each function element, the equalization possible/impossible information being identification information on the selected data to be equalized, and makes the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus execute an equalization processing of the data to be equalized for each variable belonging to a function element from the operational control apparatus to the standby control apparatus.
a storage unit that stores therein, for each function element constituting the control program, a data on each variable dealt with by the function element, as a candidate data for the data to be equalized;
a target selection unit that presents, based on the variable of the candidate data read from the storage unit, in form of a list for each function element to which the variable belongs, and prompts a user to select a data to be equalized from the list; and a target notification unit that notifies each of the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus, of equalization possible/impossible information for each function element, the equalization possible/impossible information being identification information on the selected data to be equalized, and makes the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus execute an equalization processing of the data to be equalized for each variable belonging to a function element from the operational control apparatus to the standby control apparatus.
6. The data to be equalized selection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the target selection unit receives an input of a narrow down criteria for each unit for partitioning the control program and creates a list which prompts the user to select a data to be equalized from the candidate data which satisfies the received narrow down criteria.
7. The data to be equalized selection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the target selection unit receives an input of a narrow down criteria for each function type to which the function element of the control program belongs and creates a list which prompts the user to select a data to be equalized from the candidate data which satisfies the received narrow down criteria.
8. A data to be equalized selection method in a system which is made redundant by an operational control apparatus and a standby control apparatus each of which executes a control program for controlling a plant system, the data to be equalized selection method which, if a control data in the operational control apparatus is equalized to a corresponding control data in the standby control apparatus, selects a data to be equalized, the data to be equalized selection method being performed by a data to be equalized selection apparatus, the data to be equalized selection apparatus comprising a storage unit, a target selection unit, and a target notification unit, the data to be equalized selection method, comprising:
a step, performed by the storage unit, of storing, for each function element constituting the control program, a data on each variable dealt with by the function element, as a candidate data for the data to be equalized;
a step, performed by the target selection unit, of presenting a variable of the candidate data read from the storage unit, in form of a list for each variable and prompts a user to select a data to be equalized from the list; and a step, performed by the target notification unit, of notifying each of the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus, of equalization possible/impossible information for each variable, the equalization possible/impossible information being identification information on the selected data to be equalized, and makes the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus execute an equalization processing of the data to be equalized for each variable from the operational control apparatus to the standby control apparatus.
a step, performed by the storage unit, of storing, for each function element constituting the control program, a data on each variable dealt with by the function element, as a candidate data for the data to be equalized;
a step, performed by the target selection unit, of presenting a variable of the candidate data read from the storage unit, in form of a list for each variable and prompts a user to select a data to be equalized from the list; and a step, performed by the target notification unit, of notifying each of the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus, of equalization possible/impossible information for each variable, the equalization possible/impossible information being identification information on the selected data to be equalized, and makes the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus execute an equalization processing of the data to be equalized for each variable from the operational control apparatus to the standby control apparatus.
9. A data to be equalized selection method in a system which is made redundant by an operational control apparatus and a standby control apparatus each of which executes a control program for controlling a plant system, the data to be equalized selection method which , if a control data in the operational control apparatus is equalized to a corresponding control data in the standby control apparatus, selects the data to be equalized, the data to be equalized selection method being performed by a data to be equalized selection apparatus, the data to be equalized selection apparatus comprising a storage unit, a target selection unit, and a target notification unit, the data to be equalized selection method, comprising:
a step, performed by the storage unit, of storing, for each function element constituting the control program, a data on each variable dealt with by the function element, as a candidate data for the data to be equalized;
a step, performed by the target selection unit, of presenting, based on a variable of the candidate data read from the storage unit, in form of a list for each function element to which the variable belongs, and prompts a user to select a data to be equalized from the list; and a step, performed by the target notification unit, of notifying each of the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus, of equalization possible/impossible information for each function element, the equalization possible/impossible information being identification information on the selected data to be equalized, and makes the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus execute an equalization processing of the data to be equalized for each variable belonging to a function element from the operational control apparatus to the standby control apparatus.
a step, performed by the storage unit, of storing, for each function element constituting the control program, a data on each variable dealt with by the function element, as a candidate data for the data to be equalized;
a step, performed by the target selection unit, of presenting, based on a variable of the candidate data read from the storage unit, in form of a list for each function element to which the variable belongs, and prompts a user to select a data to be equalized from the list; and a step, performed by the target notification unit, of notifying each of the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus, of equalization possible/impossible information for each function element, the equalization possible/impossible information being identification information on the selected data to be equalized, and makes the operational control apparatus and the standby control apparatus execute an equalization processing of the data to be equalized for each variable belonging to a function element from the operational control apparatus to the standby control apparatus.
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| JP2010-259825 | 2010-11-22 | ||
| JP2010259825A JP5503508B2 (en) | 2010-11-22 | 2010-11-22 | Plant control system, equalized data selection device, and equalized data selection method |
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| CA2758682C true CA2758682C (en) | 2016-04-19 |
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| JP6131743B2 (en) * | 2013-07-17 | 2017-05-24 | 株式会社ジェイテクト | Control device for hydraulic power steering device |
| JP6330448B2 (en) * | 2014-04-23 | 2018-05-30 | 富士電機株式会社 | Control system, control device, and relay device |
| JP6834446B2 (en) * | 2016-12-14 | 2021-02-24 | オムロン株式会社 | Control system, control program and control method |
| JP7322604B2 (en) * | 2019-09-04 | 2023-08-08 | オムロン株式会社 | Program development device, project creation method, and program for realizing program development device |
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| US6070250A (en) * | 1996-12-13 | 2000-05-30 | Westinghouse Process Control, Inc. | Workstation-based distributed process control system |
| JP2000330815A (en) * | 1999-05-24 | 2000-11-30 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Duplexed switching control device and method |
| JP2005092520A (en) * | 2003-09-17 | 2005-04-07 | Fuji Electric Systems Co Ltd | Duplication controller system and equalization method thereof |
| JP2006053713A (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2006-02-23 | Fuji Electric Systems Co Ltd | Duplication control device and duplication control method |
| JP4776374B2 (en) * | 2005-12-27 | 2011-09-21 | 株式会社東芝 | Redundant supervisory control system and redundant switching method for the same system |
| JP2008118518A (en) * | 2006-11-07 | 2008-05-22 | Hitachi High-Tech Control Systems Corp | Plant monitoring controller |
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| CA2758682A1 (en) | 2012-05-22 |
| JP5503508B2 (en) | 2014-05-28 |
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