DE102018130649A1 - Method for analyzing the measurement behavior of a field device in automation technology depending on the parameterization of the field device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for analyzing the measurement behavior of a field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) in automation technology as a function of the parameterization of the field device, the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) being operated on the basis of a basic parameter set, which basic parameter set has a parameter value for at least one parameter of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4), and the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) records values of process variables on the basis of the basic parameterization and process values on the basis of the basic parameterization (PW1) calculated, comprising: - Detection of the process values (PW1) created by the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) over a defined period of time (Δt); - Detection of the basic parameterization of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) - Creating a simulation model of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) by analyzing the detected process values (PW1) and the detected basic parameterization of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4), the simulate ion model describes a dependency of the process values (PW1) on the current parameterization of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) - entering or changing a parameter value of at least one parameter of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4); and recalculating the detected process values (PW1) on the basis of the entered or changed parameter value by means of the simulation model, and a mobile operating unit (BE) for executing the method according to the invention.

Description

The invention relates to a method for analyzing the measurement behavior of a field device in automation technology as a function of the parameterization of the field device, the field device being operated on the basis of a basic parameter set, which basic parameter set has a parameter value for at least one parameter of the field device, and the field device being based on the basic parameterization Values of process variables are recorded and process values are calculated on the basis of the basic parameterization from the recorded values. The invention further comprises a mobile operating unit for executing the method according to the invention

Field devices which are used in industrial systems have already become known from the prior art. Field devices are widely used in automation technology as well as in production automation. In principle, field devices are all devices that are used close to the process and that supply or process process-relevant information. Field devices are used to record and / or influence process variables. Sensor units 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. Actuator systems 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 measuring devices and actuators mentioned above, field devices are also understood to mean remote I / Os, radio adapters or generally devices which are arranged at the field level.

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

In the course of advancing digitization with regard to the keywords "Internet of Things (IoT)" and "Industry 4.0", which does not stop at components of process plants, there is also an increased need, data from field devices, in particular measurement data, diagnostic data, parameter values, etc. to make them available at a central location and to create added value from these data (keywords for this are "Big Data Analysis", "Predictive Maintenance", etc.). The central location is often understood to mean a database that can be contacted via the Internet, in particular a so-called cloud-compatible database.

Field devices sometimes have a large number of parameters, with the aid of which they can be adapted to an application or to the process engineering process carried out in the system, or their functions can be set. The parameters are divided into static and dynamic parameters. Static parameters represent parameters that cannot be changed over time. Dynamic parameters contain non-modeled process characteristics that are entered manually by the customer, such as the tank size of a tank filled with medium.

A so-called parameterization, in which parameter values are assigned to the individual parameters of a field device, is carried out in particular both during the commissioning of a field device and sometimes during the maintenance of a field device, for example during maintenance.

Due to the complexity of the parameters and due to the sometimes very large number of static and dynamic parameters of a field device, parameterizing a field device is a complex process. In addition to detailed knowledge of the meanings and effects of the individual parameters, the system operator needs precise knowledge of the specific applications in which his field devices are used in order to parameterize a field device application-specifically.

Parameterizations are often carried out without having detailed information regarding the measurement behavior of the field device in the process of the system. In this case, the optimization of a parameter requires the process to be run through each time a new one is entered Parameter value to see if the desired result has been achieved.

Based on this problem, the object of the invention is to simplify the optimization of the parameterization of a field device.

• - Erfassen der von dem Feldgerät erstellten Prozesswerte über einen festgelegten Zeitraum;
• - Erfassen der Grundparametrierung des Feldgeräts;
• - Erstellen eines Simulationsmodells des Feldgeräts durch Analysieren der erfassten Prozesswerte und der erfassten Grundparametrierung des Feldgeräts, wobei das Simulationsmodell eine Abhängigkeit der Prozesswerte von der aktuellen Parametrierung des Feldgeräts beschreibt;
• - Eingeben, bzw. Ändern eines Parameterwertes von zumindest einem Parameter des Feldgeräts; und
• - Neuberechnen der erfassten Prozesswerte auf Basis des eingegebenen, bzw. geänderten Parameterwerts mittels des Simulationsmodells.

The object is achieved by a method for analyzing the behavior of a field device in automation technology as a function of the parameterization of the field device, the field device being operated on the basis of a basic parameter set, which basic parameter set has a parameter value at least for one parameter of the field device, and the field device being based on the basic parameterization records values of process variables and calculates process values based on the basic parameterization from the recorded values, comprising:

• - Acquisition of the process values created by the field device over a defined period of time;
• - Detecting the basic parameterization of the field device;
• - Creating a simulation model of the field device by analyzing the acquired process values and the acquired basic parameterization of the field device, the simulation model describing a dependence of the process values on the current parameterization of the field device;
• - Entering or changing a parameter value of at least one parameter of the field device; and
• - Recalculation of the recorded process values based on the entered or changed parameter value using the simulation model.

By means of the method according to the invention, an operator receives immediate feedback about the effects of a parameter change carried out on the field device. In a first process step, raw data of the field device (process values based on the basic parameterization) are collected. In a second step, the parameterization of the field device is changed. However, the changed parameter values are not written to the field device. This is because a simulation is carried out, which shows how the collected process values of the field device change due to the changed parameter values. The process engineering process does not have to be run through, so that the process offers the advantage of saving costs and time compared to the usual parameterization methods.

The simulation is carried out using a simulation model. This is created in the course of the method according to the invention on the basis of the acquired process values which the field device has created on the basis of the basic parameterization.

Field devices which are mentioned in connection with the method according to the invention have already been described by way of example in the introductory part of the description.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the basic parameterization of the field device is updated with the entered or changed parameter value. If the operator perceives the simulated measurement behavior of the field device as sufficiently good, in particular by checking whether the newly calculated process values correspond sufficiently well to the real requirements, the entered or changed parameter value is written to the field device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that a Kl algorithm is used to create the simulation model. An AI (“Artificial Intelligence”) algorithm calculates a result for entered data based on empirical values. In the present case, the KL algorithm knows a large number of simulation models of a field device based on different parameterizations of the field device.

The use of any suitable Kl algorithm, for example a neural network, is provided for the method according to the invention.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the type of the field device is additionally detected and the KL algorithm is selected according to the type of the field device. Different types of field devices sometimes have different measurement behavior for one and the same parameter. By selecting a KL algorithm that is trained for the specific field device type, a simulation model suitable for the field device is created - the creation of a simulation model that simulates an incorrect measurement behavior of a field device for entered or changed parameter values is avoided.

According to an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it is provided that setpoints for the process values of the specified period are defined in advance, the simulation model adapting or changing the parameter values such that the recalculated process values at least approximately correspond to the setpoints; changed parameter values are saved as an optimal parameter set. In this way, a Almost optimal parameter set of the field device created for the application.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the simulation model created is stored, in particular in a cloud-compatible database, the simulation model being used for analyzing the behavior of a further field device depending on the parameterization of the further field device, the type of the further field device corresponds to the type of field device for which the simulation model was calculated. Once a simulation model has been created, it can be used for further field devices, in particular field devices of the same type, which are intended for use in a similar application for a similar process engineering process. The simulation model therefore does not have to be created again. The cloud-compatible database is implemented in particular on a server that is compatible with cloud computing technology. In this case, cloud computing means the storage of information and access to the stored information via the Internet.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a mobile operating unit which can be connected to a field device of automation technology via a data channel, the mobile operating unit being designed to carry out the method according to the invention. The mobile control unit has an electronic unit with a processor unit for executing the method. The processor unit is, for example, a microprocessor, an ASIC or an FPGA.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the mobile operating unit according to the invention, it is provided that the mobile operating unit is designed to acquire the process values created by the field device over the defined period of time via the data channel or to retrieve the process values already acquired by the field device via the data channel, and the mobile Control unit is designed to retrieve the basic parameter set of the field device via the data channel.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the mobile control unit according to the invention, it is provided that the mobile control unit has a display unit, the display unit being designed to display the acquired process values over the defined period and the display unit being designed to display the newly calculated process values over the defined period , especially the change of the recalculated process values to the recorded process values.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the mobile control unit according to the invention, it is provided that the mobile control unit has a communication interface for connection to a wireless or wired communication network, the mobile control unit being designed to form the data channel via the communication network. At least the mobile control unit and the field device form participants in the communication network.

In a first variant, the communication interface is designed as an interface for connecting the mobile operating unit to a wire-bound communication network. The wired communication network is a standard IT data connection, such as USB or a serial data connection. Alternatively, the communication network is a fieldbus, for example Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus, HART, etc., or an Ethernet-based communication network.

In a second variant, the communication interface is designed as an interface for connecting the mobile operating unit to a wireless communication network. The wireless communication network is based in particular on one of the standards Bluetooth, WiFi, ZigBee or a comparable standard.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the mobile operating unit according to the invention, it is provided that a frame application is implemented on the operating unit, in particular an FDT (“Field Device Tool”) frame, which is designed to load, in particular, a device driver for the field device when it is executed a DTM ("Device Type Manager"), which device driver contains the KL algorithm, is designed to calculate the simulation model of the field device and to use the simulation model to recalculate the recorded process values based on the entered or changed parameter values. As an alternative to FDT / DTM technology, other frame applications / device driver systems can also be used, for example according to the FDI ("Field Device Integration") standard or comparable.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the mobile control unit according to the invention, it is provided that the frame application has a functionality which allows the acquired process values and the newly calculated process values to be displayed on the display unit over the specified period.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the mobile control unit according to the invention provided that the mobile control unit is a notebook, a tablet PC, a smartphone or a PDA. Alternatively, any further electronic device can be used which has at least one display unit and a communication interface and can be configured to execute a frame application / device driver system.

• 1: ein Anwendungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens; und
• 2: ein Beispiel für vom Feldgerät erstellte Prozessvariablen und für neu berechnete Prozessvariable, angezeigt auf einer Anzeigeeinheit der mobilen Bedieneinheit.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. Show it

• 1 : an application example of the method according to the invention; and
• 2nd : An example for process variables created by the field device and for newly calculated process variables, displayed on a display unit of the mobile control unit.

In 1 part of a plant of automation technology is shown schematically. On a data bus D1 are several workstation PCs WS1 , WS2 connected in the control level of the plant. These workstation PCs serve as higher-level units (control system or control unit), among other things for process visualization, process monitoring and for engineering, such as for operating and monitoring field devices. The data bus D1 works e.g. B. according to the Profibus DP standard or the HSE (High Speed Ethernet) standard of the Foundation Fieldbus. Via a gateway G1 The data bus is also known as the linking device, field controller or segment coupler D1 connected to a fieldbus segment SM1. The fieldbus segment SM1 consists of several field devices F1 , F2 , F3 , F4 that are connected to each other via a fieldbus FB. With the field devices F1 , F2 , F3 , F4 can be both sensors or actuators. The fieldbus FB works according to one of the well-known fieldbus standards Profibus, Foundation Fieldbus or HART.

To carry out the method according to the invention, which is the efficient parameterization of the field device F4 serves as a mobile control unit BE with the field device F4 connected. The mobile operating unit, which in the present example is an operating unit in the sense of the Field Xperts marketed by the applicant, is operated via a communication interface KS1 wired to the field device. Then between the mobile control unit BE and the field device F4 a data channel is established via which data between the field device F4 and the mobile control unit BE , or vice versa, are exchanged.

The mobile control unit BE has a display unit and an electronic unit EL. The electronic unit EL is used to carry out all functionalities of the mobile control unit BE .

The field device F4 has a basic parameterization, records values of process variables and creates process values based on the process variables. In this exemplary embodiment, the field device is concerned F4 a flow meter that detects the flow velocity of a measuring medium, which measuring medium flows through a pipeline.

• In einem ersten Schritt erfasst die mobile Bedieneinheit BE über einen Zeitraum Δt die von dem Feldgerät F4 erstellten Prozesswerte PW1. Die Prozesswerte PW1 werden von dem Feldgerät F4 auf Basis seiner Grundparametrierung erstellt. Die Erfassung der Prozesswerte PS des Feldgeräts F4 erfolgt über den etablierten Datenkanal DK. In dem festgelegten Zeitraum Δt wird der Prozess definiert gefahren, indem das Messmedium zuerst mit einer linear steigenden Strömungsgeschwindigkeit Q und anschließend mit einer linear abnehmenden Strömungsgeschwindigkeit Q durch die Rohrleitung geleitet wird.

On the mobile control unit BE is a frame application RA , in particular an FDT frame application can be executed. There is a device driver in the frame application GT for the field device F4 loadable, especially a DTM. The device driver is used to establish data exchange via the field device and to carry out the following procedural steps:

• In a first step, the mobile control unit detects BE over a period of time Δt that of the field device F4 created process values PW1 . The process values PW1 are from the field device F4 created on the basis of its basic parameterization. The acquisition of the process values PS of the field device F4 takes place via the established data channel DK . In the specified period Δt the process is run in a defined manner by first passing the measuring medium through the pipeline at a linearly increasing flow rate Q and then at a linearly decreasing flow rate Q.

In a second step, the field device transmits F4 its basic parameterization, on what basis the field device F4 the process values PW1 has created to the mobile control unit.

In a third step, the mobile control unit creates BE a simulation model of the field device F4 . For this purpose, the device driver has a KL algorithm that creates the simulation model. The simulation model defines a dependency of the process values created by the field device PW1 , PW2 based on the current parameterization of the field device F4 .

In this exemplary embodiment described, the field device is parameterized F4 with regard to the creation of the process values PW1 , PW2 specifically the following: The from the field device F4 The values of the process variables are converted into process values PW1 , PW2 converted which is the field device F4 then issues. The parameterization defines the conversion by, for example, a minimum value of the process values PW1 , PW2 , a maximum value of the process values PW1 , PW2 , the resolution of the process values PW1 , PW2 , etc., indicates. For the simulation model, these dependencies of the conversion on the parameter values are recorded and defined in the simulation model.

The over the period Δt recorded process values PW1 can then on a display unit AE the mobile control unit BE are displayed. In 2nd is the representation of the process values PW1 on the display unit AE shown in a diagram. The abscissa of the diagram shows the time course t. The ordinate shows values of the flow velocity Q of the measuring medium in the pipeline. It can be seen that the resolution for the values of the flow velocity Q in the basic parameterization of the field device F4 is chosen low.

The Kl algorithm is sometimes based on the type of field device F4 Voted. Nowadays, every type has a field device F1 , F2 , F3 , F4 its own device driver GT . It can be provided here that the KL algorithm is used directly when creating a device driver GT to create with and in the device driver GT to implement.

That for the field device F4 The created simulation model can be created by the mobile control unit BE to a cloud-based database DB be transmitted. The transmission is preferably carried out over the Internet. The mobile control unit BE preferably has a separate communication interface for this KS2 on. On the database DB a variety of different simulation models can be stored, which differ in the type of field device F1 , F2 , F3 , F4 and their respective application. It can be provided that before the mobile control unit BE the simulation model for the field device F4 created, it is checked whether a suitable simulation model is already in the database DB is available. If a suitable simulation model is available, it will be saved by the database DB to the mobile control unit BE transferred and used for the subsequent process step.

In a fourth step, the operator gives at least one new parameter value for a parameter of the field device F4 a. In the present case, the operator adjusts the resolution of the flow rate Q. The simulation model then calculates new process values based on the newly entered parameter value PW2 and shows them together with the originally recorded process values PW1 on the display unit AE at. In the present case it can be seen that the newly calculated process values PW2 rather correspond to the actual values of the flow velocity.

The present exemplary embodiment has been deliberately chosen to be simple in order to explain the general functioning of the method according to the invention. The reality is the dependency of the parameterization of the field device F4 to from the field device 4th Process values PS created are sometimes considerably more complex, since a large number of different parameters are available, depending on the type of field device. It can also be provided that the simulation model has setpoints for the process values PW1 , PW2 be specified so that the simulation model automatically matches the appropriate parameter values of the field device F4 determined by which the from the field device F4 created process values PW1 , P2 at least approximately agree with the target values. The degree of correspondence can be determined in advance. It should be noted here that a high degree of agreement sometimes takes a long time to calculate the corresponding parameter values.

Reference symbol list

AE

Display unit

BE

Mobile control unit

DB

cloud-compatible database

DK

Data channel

F1, F2, F3, F4

Field devices

GT

Device drivers

KS1, KS2

Communication interfaces of the mobile unit

PW1

Process values recorded by the field device

PW2

recalculated process values

RA

Frame application

WS1, WS2

Workstation PCs

Δt

fixed period

Claims (13)

Method for analyzing the measurement behavior of a field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) of automation technology depending on the parameterization of the field device, the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) being operated on the basis of a basic parameter set, which basic parameter set is at least for one parameter of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) has a parameter value, and the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) records values of process variables on the basis of the basic parameterization and calculates process values (PW1) on the basis of the basic parameters , comprising: - detecting the process values (PW1) created by the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) over a defined period of time (Δt); - Detecting the basic parameterization of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4); - Creation of a simulation model of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) by analyzing the detected process values (PW1) and the detected basic parameterization of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4), the simulation model depending on the process values (PW1) describes the current parameterization of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4); - Entering or changing a parameter value of at least one parameter of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4); and - recalculating the detected process values (PW1) on the basis of the entered or changed parameter value using the simulation model. Procedure according to Claim 1 , whereby the basic parameterization of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) is updated with the entered or changed parameter value. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a Kl algorithm is used to create the simulation model. Procedure according to Claim 3 , in addition the type of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) being recorded and the KL algorithm being selected according to the type of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4). Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein setpoints for the process values of the defined time period (Δt) are defined in advance, the simulation model adapting or changing the parameter values such that the recalculated process values (PW2) correspond at least approximately to the setpoints, the parameter values adapted or changed in this way are stored as an optimal parameter set. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the simulation model created is stored, in particular in a cloud-compatible database (DB), the simulation model for analyzing the behavior of a further field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) depending on the parameterization of the further Field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) is used, the type of the further field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) corresponding to the type of field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) for which the simulation model was calculated . Mobile operating unit (BE), which can be connected to a field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) of automation technology via a data channel (DK), the mobile operating unit (BE) being designed, the method according to one of the Claims 1 to 6 to execute. Mobile control unit (BE) after Claim 7 The mobile control unit (BE) is designed to record the process values (PW1) created by the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) over the defined period (Δt) via the data channel (DK) or already by the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) process data (PW1) recorded via the data channel (DK), and the mobile operating unit (BE) is designed to read the basic parameter set of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) via the data channel (DK). Mobile control unit (BE) according to one of the Claims 7 or 8th , wherein the mobile control unit (BE) has a display unit (AE), the display unit (AE) being designed to display the acquired process values (PW1) over the specified period (Δt) and the display unit (AE) being designed to display the recalculated process values (PW2) over the defined period (Δt), in particular the change in the recalculated process values (PW2) to the recorded process values (PW1). Mobile control unit (BE) according to at least one of the Claims 7 to 9 The mobile operating unit (BE) has a communication interface (KS1) for connection to a wireless or wired communication network, the mobile operating unit (BE) being designed to form the data channel (DK) via the communication network. Mobile control unit (BE) according to at least one of the Claims 7 to 10th , a frame application (RA) being implemented on the operating unit (BE), in particular an FTD frame, which is designed to load a device driver (GT) for the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) when it is executed, In particular, a DTM, which device driver (GT) contains the KL algorithm, is designed to calculate the simulation model of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) and to calculate the simulation model for recalculating the detected process values (PW1) on the basis of the entered or to use changed parameter values. Mobile control unit (BE) after Claim 11 , The frame application (RA) has a functionality which allows the detected process values (PW1) and the newly calculated process values (PW2) to be displayed on the display unit (AE) over the specified period (Δt). Mobile control unit (BE) according to at least one of the Claims 7 to 12 , wherein the mobile control unit (BE) is a notebook, a tablet PC, a smartphone or a PDA.

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