JP2009277008A - Interface inspection device and interface inspection method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interface inspection technology for inspecting an interface at a high speed, and for reducing an inspection error without being affected by the base of an interface. <P>SOLUTION: An interface inspection device 10 is provided with: a signal circuit 161 in which interfaces 20a to 20n and contacts Pa to Pn for transferring a signal are installed, and a transmission path for transmitting supplied simulation signals to respective contacts Pa to Pn is formed, and a switch SW for switching between a short-circuit state and a release state of the transmission path leading to respective contacts Pa to Pn is installed; and a control part 162 for receiving the input of an inspection start signal, supplying the simulation signal to the signal circuit 161, receiving the input of the selection signal of the target interface to which the simulation signal is input, short-circuiting the transmission path leading to the contact connected to the target interface, and switching the switch SW to release the transmission path leading to each of the residual contacts. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an interface inspection technique for receiving a process signal generated according to a process amount of a plant and outputting the process signal to a process control device, and more particularly, inputting a simulation signal to an interface, The present invention relates to an interface inspection apparatus and an interface inspection method for determining response accuracy of an interface by inputting a response signal output from an interface to a measuring instrument.

Conventionally, as an interface inspection technique, an interface interposed between a printer process control device and a printing actuator is inspected, and a high-efficiency and simple interface inspection that can inspect the interface on the CPU of the controller. A technique is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-001050

  In a large-scale plant such as a power plant or a chemical plant, many interfaces are provided for inputting process quantities such as flow rate and pressure as analog electric signals to the process control device.

  In particular, in a nuclear power plant, inspection of an interface must be performed within a limited period at the time of periodic inspection, and speeding up of inspection work is required. In addition, coupled with the demand for faster inspection work, there is a need to reduce the frequency of inspection errors based on human factors. In the interface inspection technology described in Patent Document 1, it is impossible to meet the demands for speeding up the inspection of the interface and reducing the frequency of inspection errors accompanying the increase in the radix of the interface.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an interface inspection apparatus and an interface inspection method capable of speeding up an inspection operation and reducing inspection errors regardless of the radix of the interface. .

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the interface inspection apparatus according to the present invention receives a process signal generated according to the process amount of the plant and outputs a simulation signal to the interface that outputs the process signal to the process control apparatus. In the interface inspection device that determines the response accuracy of the interface by inputting the response signal output from the interface to the measuring instrument, a plurality of contacts for signal transfer with the interface are provided. A signal circuit that forms a transmission path that collectively transmits to the contacts and that has a switch that switches between short-circuiting and releasing of the transmission path that reaches each contact, receives a test start signal, supplies a simulation signal to the signal circuit, and simulates Upon receiving the selection signal of the target interface to which the signal is input, the target interface Characterized in that it comprises a control unit for switching the switch to release the transmission path to the rest of the contact as well as shorting the transmission path to the contacts connected to the over scan.

  In the interface inspection method according to the present invention, a process signal generated according to the process amount of the plant is input, a simulation signal is input to an interface that outputs the process signal to the process control device, and the interface In the interface inspection method for inspecting the response accuracy of an interface by inputting a response signal output from a measuring instrument to a measuring instrument, a preparation process for forming a signal transmission path for passing signals to and from a plurality of interfaces, and the signal transmission path In response to the input process of the simulation signal that inputs the simulation signal to each interface and the selection signal of the target interface to which the simulation signal is input, the interface of the simulation signal that limits the interface that can input the simulation signal to the target interface A process that causes the computer to perform input control; Characterized in that it has a.

  According to the present invention, inspection work can be speeded up and inspection errors can be reduced without being influenced by the cardinal number of the interface.

  Embodiments of an interface inspection apparatus and an interface inspection method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an interface inspection apparatus.

  The interface inspection apparatus 10 according to this embodiment is an inspection apparatus for the interface 20 that receives an input of a process signal generated according to a process amount of a plant and outputs the process signal to a process control apparatus (not shown). The interface inspection apparatus 10 inputs a simulation signal simulating a process signal to the interface 20 and inputs a response signal output from the interface 20 to a measuring instrument to determine the response accuracy of the interface.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the interface inspection apparatus 10 includes an audio signal cable 11, an inspection signal cable 12, and an apparatus body 13.

  The audio signal cable 11 of the interface inspection apparatus 10 inputs the sound of the inspector of the interface 20 to the apparatus main body 13. The inspection signal cable 12 inputs a simulation signal output from the apparatus main body 13 to the interface 20, and inputs a response signal output from the interface 20 to the apparatus main body 13.

  The apparatus main body 13 of the interface inspection apparatus 10 includes a measuring instrument 14, a simulation signal generator 15, and a signal control system 16.

  The measuring instrument 14 of the apparatus main body 13 measures a response signal output from the interface 20 to which a simulation signal is input. The measuring instrument 14 is constituted by a known voltmeter.

  The simulation signal generator 15 of the apparatus body 13 generates a simulation signal to be input to the interface 20. The simulated signal is a signal that simulates a process signal that is input when the interface 20 is actually operating, and is a voltage value or a current value. The output level of the simulation signal is adjusted in consideration of the allowable input of the target interface to which the simulation signal is input.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the signal control system 16 of the interface inspection apparatus 10.

  The signal control system 16 includes a signal circuit 161 and a control unit 162.

  The signal circuit 161 of the signal control system 16 is provided with a plurality of contacts Pa to Pn for exchanging signals with a plurality of interfaces 20a to 20n, and a transmission path for transmitting the supplied simulation signals to the respective contacts Pa to Pn collectively. Form. Moreover, it has switch SW which switches the short circuit and release of the transmission path which reaches each contact Pa-Pn. The transmission path includes a parallel circuit in which the contacts Pa to Pn are provided in parallel, a series circuit in which the contacts Pa to Pn are provided in series, and a measurement transmission path. Each of these circuits is formed by switching a plurality of switches SW. In FIG. 2, cross points indicated by black circles are coupling points of transmission paths, and cross points not indicated by black circles indicate non-coupling points of transmission paths.

  The control unit 162 of the signal control system 16 performs a necessary process for performing the inspection of the interfaces 20a to 20n with high efficiency and safety in response to a request from the inspector. The processing of the control unit 162 will be described separately for [interface selection confirmation processing], [interface setting processing], and [transmission path switching processing].

[Interface selection confirmation process]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by the control unit 162 of the signal control system 16. Hereinafter, each step in this process will be described.

  Step S <b> 1 is a step of receiving a selection signal of a target interface that is an input target of a simulation signal.

  Step S2 is a step of requesting the inspector to read out the identification information of the target interface when the target interface selection signal is received in step S1. This identification information is an interface number. The identification information may be unique information that can specify one interface.

  Here, identification information unique to each interface for identifying one interface is defined as IF data.

  Step S3 is a step of converting the inspector's reading voice into IF data following step S2. Step S3 is a step of determining whether or not the IF data converted from the read-out voice and the interface indicated by the IF data of the target interface selected by the examiner match (Yes / No). .

  If it is determined to be <No> in step S3, the process proceeds to step S2, and the reading of the target interface selected by the inspector is requested again. The IF data of the target interface is specified based on the selection signal received in step S1 from the IF data of each interface recorded in an internal recording unit (not shown) of the interface inspection apparatus 10. In addition, IF data converted from the read-out voice is stored in the internal recording unit so as to be readable.

  Step S4 is a step performed when <Yes> is determined in Step S3, and is a step for requesting the inspector to connect the inspection signal cable 12 (see FIG. 2) to the target interface.

  In step S5, following step S4, on the condition that the simulation signal input request signal is received, the simulation signal generator 15 (see FIG. 2) is instructed to generate the simulation signal, and the simulation signal is supplied to the signal circuit 161. It is a step to do.

  Step S6 is a step following step S5 in which the response signal output from the target interface that has received the input of the simulation signal is input to the measuring instrument 14 to determine the interface response accuracy. That is, it is a step of determining whether or not the difference between the simulation signal and the response signal is within a predetermined range (Yes / No). The simulation signal and the response signal are analog electric signals having a voltage value or a current value. If it is determined as <Yes> in step S6, it is determined that the target interface is normal and the process proceeds to step S1. Thereafter, the processes in steps S1 to S6 are repeated, and the inspector can sequentially switch the target interface and inspect the response accuracy of each interface.

  Step S7 is a step performed when <No> is determined in step S6, and is a step of notifying the abnormality of the target interface.

[Interface setting process]
When receiving the selection signal in step S2 of the interface selection confirmation process, the control unit 162 of the signal control system 16 sets a transmission path to the contact connected to the target interface among the contacts Pa to Pn of the signal circuit 161. Short circuit. Further, the switch SW is switched so as to release the transmission path leading to the remaining contacts. That is, the transmission path of the signal circuit 161 is formed so that the simulation signal is selectively transmitted to the contact point connected to the target interface.

[Transmission path switching process]
The control unit 162 of the signal control system 16 determines the type of the target interface selected in step S2 of the interface selection confirmation process. This type is determined based on type information indicating whether the input voltage value is a voltage type for outputting to the process control device or the input current value is for outputting to the process control device. This type information is acquired from the target interface via the test signal cable 12 when the test signal cable 12 is connected in step 4 of the target interface selection confirmation process.

  When the model information is acquired, the control unit 162 switches the switch SW so that a parallel circuit is formed as a transmission path when the type information indicates a voltage type, and when the type information indicates a current type, the transmission path The switch SW is switched so that a series circuit is formed.

  In addition, the control unit 162 receives an input of a selection signal of a target interface that is a response accuracy determination target among the target interfaces. When receiving the selection signal, the switch SW is switched to short-circuit the transmission path from the contact point connected to the selected target interface to the measuring instrument 14. Further, the transmission path from the remaining contacts to the measuring instrument 14 is released.

  Next, the operation of the interface inspection apparatus 10 will be described. 4 to 7 are explanatory views of the operation of the interface inspection apparatus 10.

  When the target interface to which the simulated signal is input is selected and the IF data converted from the read-out speech and the IF data of the target interface match, in FIG. 3, step S1, step S2, step S3, step S4, step S5 in FIG. Step S6 → Step S1 is repeated. On the other hand, if the target interface to which the simulated signal is input is selected, but the IF data converted from the read-out voice and the IF data of the target interface do not match, the flow of Step S1 → Step S2 → Step S3 → Step S1 The process is repeated. That is, the inspector has selected the target interface to which the simulation signal is input, but if the selected interface is different from the interface intended by the inspector, the processes after step S4 are not executed. For example, an operation error such that a simulated signal having an output level set for a specific interface is input to another interface that may fail at this output level is reduced.

  When the process proceeds to step S4 following step S3, the type of the target interface selected in step S1 is determined. For example, when all the interfaces 20a to 20n are selected as target interfaces and it is determined in step S1 that the type of each target interface 20a to 20n is a voltage type, the signal circuit of the interface inspection apparatus 10 is as shown in FIG. become. FIG. 4 shows the signal control system 16 when the signal circuit 161 is switched to a parallel circuit. That is, the switch SW is short-circuited so as to form a parallel circuit in which the contacts Pa to Pn are provided in parallel. The same simulation signal, that is, a voltage value is transmitted to each of the contacts Pa to Pn. For this reason, the inspector can input the same simulation signal collectively to the plurality of interfaces 20a to 20n.

  When it is determined that the target interfaces 20a to 20n are of the current type, the signal circuit of the in-signal control system 16 is as shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows the signal control system 16 when the signal circuit 161 is switched to a series circuit. That is, the switch SW is short-circuited so as to form a series circuit in which the respective contacts Pa to Pn are provided in series. Then, the same simulation signal, that is, the current value is transmitted to the contacts Pa to Pn at once. For this reason, the inspector can input the same simulation signal collectively to a plurality of interfaces. In this way, a transmission path corresponding to each type is formed without requiring confirmation whether the target interface is a voltage type or a current type. As a result, the same simulation signal can be input to the contacts Pa to Pn all at once regardless of the interface type.

  Following step S4, when the process proceeds from step S5 to step S6, the response signal output from the target interface that has received the input of the simulation signal is input to the signal circuit 161 via the inspection signal cable 12. At this time, when a specific target interface to be a response accuracy determination target is selected, the switch SW is switched so that the transmission path from the contact connected to the specific target interface to the measuring instrument 14 is short-circuited. FIG. 6 shows a measurement transmission path in the signal circuit when the interface is a voltage type. For example, when the target interface 20a is selected as a response accuracy determination target, the signal circuit 161 of the signal control system 16 is as shown in FIG. That is, response signals output from each target interface are input to the measuring instrument 14 one by one. The measurement transmission path in the signal circuit when the interface is a voltage type is as shown in FIG.

  Next, the effect of the interface inspection apparatus 10 will be described.

In the interface inspection apparatus 10,
(1) A plurality of contacts Pa to Pn for exchanging signals with the interfaces 20a to 20n are provided to form a transmission path for collectively transmitting supplied simulation signals to the respective contacts Pa to Pn and to the respective contacts Pa to Pn. A signal circuit 161 having a switch SW for switching between short circuit and release of the transmission path, and receiving a test start signal, supplying a simulation signal to the signal circuit 161, and inputting a selection signal of a target interface to which the simulation signal is input And a control unit 162 that switches the switch SW so as to short-circuit the transmission path to the contact point connected to the target interface and to release the transmission path to the remaining contact point. For this reason, it is possible to speed up the inspection work and reduce inspection errors regardless of the radix of the interface.

  (2) The transmission path of the signal circuit 161 is formed by switching the switch SW, and includes a parallel circuit in which the contacts Pa to Pn are provided in parallel and a series circuit in which the contacts Pa to Pn are provided in series. The control unit 162 determines whether the type of the target interface is a voltage type that outputs the input voltage value to the process control device or a current type that outputs the input current value to the process control device. In response to the input of the type information shown, when this type information indicates a voltage type, the switch SW is switched so that a parallel circuit is formed as a transmission path, and when the type information indicates a current type, a series circuit as a transmission path The switch SW is switched so that is formed. For this reason, the type of the interface 20 can be automatically discriminated, the inspection work can be speeded up, and inspection errors can be reduced.

  (3) The transmission path of the signal circuit 161 is formed by switching the switch SW, and has a measurement transmission path for transmitting the response signal output from the target interface to the measuring instrument 14. Upon receiving the selection signal of the target interface to be determined, the transmission path from the contact connected to the target interface to the measuring instrument 14 is short-circuited and the transmission path from the remaining contact to the measuring instrument 14 is released. The switch SW is switched as follows. For this reason, the response signals output from the target interface are input to the measuring instrument one by one. As a result, even if an instrument that cannot receive a plurality of response signals at a time is used, it is not necessary to interrupt the inspection every time the interface response accuracy is determined, and the inspection work can be speeded up and inspection errors can be reduced.

  (4) When receiving the selection signal of the target interface, the control unit 162 requests the inspector of the interfaces 20a to 20n to read out the identification information of the target interface, and reads out the voice of the inspector as IF data. A step of determining whether the interface indicated by the IF data converted from the reading voice and the interface indicated by the IF data of the target interface selected by the inspector match, and a reading voice When the IF data converted from 1 and the IF data of the target interface match, the simulated signal can be supplied to the transmission path of the signal circuit 161 on condition that the simulated signal input request signal has been received, and both do not match Requesting the inspector again to read the identification information of the target interface; Do. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate the risk that a simulation signal is input to an interface different from the interface intended by the inspector, and to reduce inspection errors.

  (5) A recording unit is provided that stores IF data converted from the read-out voice so as to be readable. Therefore, the inspector can reconfirm the unexamined interface and the inspected interface by confirming the read interface. For example, it is possible to avoid duplicate inspection work and speed up the inspection work.

  As described above, the interface inspection apparatus according to the present invention has been described based on one embodiment. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and additions are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. Etc. are allowed.

  In the present embodiment, with respect to the signal circuit 161 of the signal control system 16, an example in which a parallel circuit and a series circuit are formed by switching switches is shown, but the configuration of the signal circuit 161 can be changed. For example, a signal circuit in which a parallel circuit and a series circuit are provided in advance and a parallel circuit and a series circuit can be selected by switching a switch may be used.

The system block diagram which shows embodiment of an interface test | inspection apparatus. The functional block diagram of the signal control system of the interface test | inspection apparatus in this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the control processing performed in the control part of the signal control system in this embodiment. The figure which shows the signal control system when the signal circuit is switched to the parallel circuit in this embodiment. The figure which shows the signal control system when the signal circuit is switched to the series circuit in this embodiment. The figure which shows the transmission path for a measurement in a signal circuit when an interface is a voltage type in this embodiment. The figure which shows the transmission path for a measurement in a signal circuit when an interface is a current type in this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Interface test | inspection apparatus, 11 ... Voice signal cable, 12 ... Test signal cable, 13 ... Main body, 14 ... Measuring instrument, 15 ... Simulation signal generator, 16 ... Signal control system, 161 ... Signal circuit, 162 ... Control part, Pa to Pn ... contact, SW ... switch, 20 (20a to 20n) ... interface.

Claims (6)

A process signal generated according to the process amount of the plant is input, a simulation signal is input to the interface that outputs this process signal to the process control device, and a response signal output from the interface is input to the measuring instrument. In the interface inspection device that determines the response accuracy of the interface,
A signal circuit having a plurality of contacts for performing signal transfer with the interface, a signal circuit having a switch for forming a transmission path for collectively transmitting the supplied simulation signal to each contact and switching between short-circuiting and release of the transmission path to each contact;
Upon receipt of an inspection start signal, a simulation signal is supplied to the signal circuit, a selection signal of a target interface to which the simulation signal is input is received, and a transmission path to a contact point connected to the target interface is short-circuited. And a controller that switches the switch so as to release the transmission path to the remaining contacts,
An interface inspection apparatus comprising: The transmission path of the signal circuit is formed by switching the switch, and includes a parallel circuit in which each contact is provided in parallel and a series circuit in which each contact is provided in series.
The control unit receives a transmission path switching signal to determine whether the transmission path is a parallel circuit or a series circuit, and switches the switch so that a parallel circuit or a series circuit is formed as the transmission path. The interface inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The transmission path of the signal circuit is formed by switching the switch, and includes a parallel circuit in which each contact is provided in parallel and a series circuit in which each contact is provided in series.
In the control unit, the type of the target interface is a voltage type that outputs an input voltage value to the process control device, or a current type that outputs an input current value to the process control device. When this type information indicates a voltage type, the switch is switched so that a parallel circuit is formed as a transmission path, and when the type information indicates a current type, it is serially connected as a transmission path. The interface inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch is switched so that a circuit is formed. The transmission path of the signal circuit is formed by switching the switch, and has a measurement transmission path for transmitting a response signal output from the target interface to the measuring instrument,
The control unit receives an input of a selection signal of a target interface that is a determination target of the response accuracy, short-circuits a transmission path from a contact connected to the target interface to the measuring instrument, and measures from a remaining contact The interface inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch is switched so as to release a transmission path leading to the device. When the interface-specific identification information for identifying one interface is defined as IF data,
The controller is
Requesting the interface inspector to read out the identification information of the target interface when receiving the selection signal of the target interface; and
Converting the inspector's speech to IF data;
Determining whether or not both the interface indicated by the IF data converted from the reading voice and the interface indicated by the IF data of the target interface selected by the examiner match;
When the IF data converted from the speech to be read and the IF data of the target interface match, the simulation signal can be supplied to the transmission path of the signal circuit on condition that an input request signal for the simulation signal has been received, Requesting the inspector to read out the identification information of the target interface again when both do not match;
The interface inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A process signal generated according to the process amount of the plant is input, a simulation signal is input to the interface that outputs this process signal to the process control device, and a response signal output from the interface is input to the measuring instrument. In the interface inspection method for inspecting the response accuracy of the interface,
A preparation process for forming a signal transmission path for signal exchange with a plurality of interfaces;
An input process of a simulation signal for inputting the simulation signal to each interface via the signal transmission path;
A process of receiving input of a selection signal of a target interface to which a simulation signal is input and causing the computer to execute input control of the simulation signal that limits an interface through which the simulation signal can be input to the target interface;
An interface inspection method characterized by comprising:

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