JPH11167412A - Test device for distributed control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a test device of a distributed control system where the time required for generating the data base of a virtual control station is shortened and deterioration of performance of an EWS(engineering work station) when the virtual control station on the EWS is operated is suppressed. SOLUTION: The device virtually conducts a communication test between the control stations of an actual machine by conducting the communication test between the virtual control stations 6. A first simulation means 51 simulating all functions of the control station is provided for the virtual control station 5 simulating the control station being a test object. A second simulation means 61 simulating only the function of a communication interface is provided for the virtual control station 6 simulating the control station except for the control station being the test object. The second simulation means 61 is provided with a communication interface means and a means having various functions processing communication data which the communication interface means receives.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a test apparatus for a distributed control system for testing a control station of the distributed control system using a simulator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A distributed control system has a configuration in which an operation monitoring station and a plurality of control stations are connected by a communication bus. The operation monitoring station operates and monitors the plant. For example, an operation amount signal is given to a valve placed in a plant to open or close the valve, or process data given from a sensor placed in the plant is monitored, and an alarm is issued when the temperature, pressure, etc. exceed the upper limit values. Or occur. The control station is distributed in the plant and controls the plant under the control of the operation monitoring station.

In the engineering work performed when constructing a distributed control system, an FCS simulator having functions equivalent to those of an actual control station is constructed in order to facilitate a test on the control station.
A virtual test has been conventionally performed using an FCS simulator.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a conventional example of a test apparatus for such a distributed control system. In FIG. 7, 1 and 2
a, 2b, 2c are F simulating the control station of the actual machine
This is a CS simulator and has the same function as the control station of the actual machine. The FCS simulator 1 is a test target FCS simulator. The FCS simulators 2a, 2b, 2c are FCS simulators other than the test target.

[0005] A communication test performed between FCS simulators is performed as follows. FCS simulators 1 and 2
a, 2b and 2c are started. FCS as shown in (a)
Simulator 1 is an FCS simulator 2a, 2b, 2c
Set data for. Then, the FCS simulators 2a, 2b and 2c return reference data to the FCS simulator 1 as shown in FIG. The FCS simulator 1 uses the FCS simulators 2a and 2a based on the referenced data.
A test is made to see if the communication performed for b and 2c is normal.

In the conventional example shown in FIG. 7, since the inspection target is only the FCS simulator 1, the FCS simulator 2a,
It is sufficient if 2b and 2c operate only for communication, and it is not necessary to perform the control operation. Nevertheless, the FCS simulators 2a, 2b, 2c are equipped with not only a communication function but also a control operation function. Therefore, a database that stores data necessary for performing communication and control operations must be created not only for the FCS simulator 1 but also for the FCS simulators 2a, 2b, and 2c. This increases the time required to create the database. When performing a test, a plurality of FCS simulators are operated on one or several engineering workstations (EWS).
There is a problem that the performance of the test is deteriorated and the test efficiency is deteriorated. The greater the number of control stations, the more the test efficiency decreases.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a virtual control station other than an object to be inspected simulates only the function of a communication interface to provide a virtual control station. To reduce the time required to create a database
EWS when operating a virtual control station on S
It is an object of the present invention to realize a test apparatus for a distributed control system that suppresses a decrease in performance of the system.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a test apparatus for a distributed control system having the following configuration.

(1) A virtual control station simulating a control station of a real machine provided in a distributed control system is constructed, and a communication test is performed between the virtual control stations to thereby perform a communication test between the control stations of the real machine. In the test apparatus of the distributed control system that virtually performs the control, the virtual control station that simulates the control station to be tested is provided with first simulating means that simulates all the functions of the control station. A test apparatus for a distributed control system, characterized in that a virtual control station that simulates a control station other than the station is provided with second simulation means that simulates only the function of a communication interface.

(2) The second simulating means includes another station communication receiving means for receiving communication from a virtual control station simulating the control station to be tested and returning reply data according to the received data. The test apparatus for a distributed control system according to (1), wherein:

(3) A test apparatus for a distributed control system according to (2), further comprising a database memory which is accessed by the other station communication accepting means and stores reply data corresponding to received data. .

(4) The test of the distributed control system according to (3), wherein the reply data is data for causing a virtual control station simulating a control station to be tested to perform a predefined operation. apparatus.

(5) The apparatus according to (3), further comprising a user interface for accessing the database memory, wherein a value to be tested is set in the database memory via the user interface. Test equipment for distributed control systems.

(6) Operation monitoring means for operating and monitoring the plant, graphic display means for graphically displaying the results of the operation monitoring, and a virtual control station provided in the distributed control system for simulating a real control station. Provided in the virtual control station, and other station communication accepting means for returning reply data according to received data received from the outside, and provided in the virtual control station and accessed by the other station communication accepting means, And a memory for a database memory in which corresponding reply data is stored, and when the operation monitoring unit transmits to the other station communication receiving unit,
The distributed station is characterized in that the other station communication receiving means reads reply data corresponding to the received data from the database memory and returns it to the operation monitoring means, and the operation monitoring means changes the display state of the graphic display means according to the reply data. Test equipment for control systems.

(7) The test apparatus for a distributed control system according to (6), wherein the reply data is data for causing a graphic display means to perform a predefined display.

(8) The second simulating means includes communication interface means for mediating communication of a virtual control station simulating the control station to be tested, and communication data received by the communication interface means in TCP / TCP.
T to be replaced with communication data conforming to the IP protocol
A test apparatus for a distributed control system according to (1), further comprising CP / IP communication support means.

(9) The second simulating means traces a communication interface means for mediating communication of a virtual control station simulating the control station to be tested, and a communication frame received by the communication interface means. The distributed control system test apparatus according to (1), further comprising: tracing means, and display means for displaying a traced communication frame on a screen.

(10) The second simulating means includes communication interface means for mediating communication of a virtual control station simulating the control station to be tested, and communication data received by the communication interface means for real equipment. A testing device for a distributed control system according to (1), further comprising: communication means for sending to the control station.

(11) Operation monitoring means for operating and monitoring the plant, and graphic display means for graphically displaying the result of the operation monitoring, wherein the communication interface means mediates the communication of the operation monitoring means. The test apparatus for a distributed control system according to any one of (8) to (10), wherein:

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is an embodiment in the case where an FCS simulator exists. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 5 denotes an FCS simulator for simulating a control station to be tested, and reference numeral 6 denotes a virtual control station for simulating a control station other than the test target.

In the FCS simulator 5, a simulation means 51 simulates all functions of a control station including a communication interface and a portion for performing a control operation.

In the virtual control station 6, a simulation means 61 simulates only the function of the communication interface. 62
Is another station communication accepting means for receiving communication from the FCS simulator 5 to the virtual control station 6 and returning reply data according to the received data. 63 is a database memory, and 62
Accessed and reply data corresponding to the received data are stored. The reply data uses the FCS
This is data to be performed by the simulator 5.

Reference numeral 64 denotes a user interface provided to allow another device to access the database memory 63. The value that the user wants to test is set directly in the database memory 63 via the user interface 64. The value we want to test here is
The operation of the FCS simulator 5 is a value defined in advance. The FCS simulator 5 refers to the database memory 63, and when the value to be tested is read out from the database memory 63 and returned to the FCS simulator 5, whether the FCS simulator 5 performs a predefined operation depends on whether the FCS simulator 5 performs a predefined operation. Determine whether the test target is normal.

When testing the validity of communication between a control station to be tested and another control station with such a test apparatus, data is transmitted from the FCS simulator 5 to the virtual control station 6. The other station communication accepting means 62 has its own database memory 63
The received data from the FCS simulator 5 is stored in the database memory 63, and reply data for the received data is created and returned to the FCS simulator 5. The return data is data that causes the FCS simulator 5 to perform a predefined operation. Therefore, the validity of the communication is determined based on whether the FCS simulator 5 that has received the reply data actually performs a predefined operation.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is an embodiment in the case where there is no FCS simulator. In FIG. 2, the same components as those in FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 7 denotes operation monitoring means for operating and monitoring a plant, and 8 denotes graphic display means for graphically displaying the results of operation monitoring, which are provided in an operation monitoring station of a distributed control system.

The operation of the test apparatus shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The operation monitoring means 7 causes the graphic display means 8 to display graphic data. In this state, the operation monitoring means 7 transmits data to the virtual control station 6. The other station communication accepting unit 62 stores the data received from the operation monitoring unit 7 in the database memory 63 and returns reply data to the received data to the operation monitoring unit 7. The reply data is
This is data for causing the graphic display means 8 to perform a predefined display. Therefore, the validity of the communication is determined based on whether the graphic display means 8 actually performs the predefined display.

An example will be described. A tag “X” is assigned to data that instructs “request a PV value”. Upon receiving the reply data "1", the operation monitoring means 7 defines in advance that the display color of the graphic data is changed to red.

Under such preconditions, the graphic data is displayed on the graphic display means 8. The operation monitoring unit 7 sends the transmission data of the tag “X” to the virtual control station 6. The other station communication accepting means 62 of the virtual control station 6 outputs the PV based on the tag “X”.
It recognizes that a value request has been made, and returns response data “1” by referring to the database memory 63. Upon receiving the return data "1", the operation monitoring means 7 changes the display color of the graphic data to red. Thereby, the operation monitoring means 7
It can be confirmed that the graphic display function works normally.

In order to display the status of a plurality of control stations, the operation monitoring means 7 assigns data of the number of stations to graphic data, and often changes the display form of the graphic data with the assigned data. The use of the other station communication accepting means 62 simulates communication with all target stations, and can perform a communication test virtually.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the other station communication accepting means 62. In FIG. 3, F
The CS simulator 5 is FCS1, and the virtual control station 6 is FCS2. When testing the validity of the communication of the FCS simulator 5, the data is transmitted from the FCS1 to the FCS2. The other station communication receiving means 62 of the FCS 2 searches the transmitted data in the database memory 63, and if the data is already registered in the database memory 63, creates reply data based on the data. , To FCS1. If the transmitted data is not in the database memory 63, the data is registered in the database memory 63, and default reply data is created and returned. Next time, when the same data is transmitted, reply data is created based on the registered data. Therefore, the database memory 63 is dynamically updated according to a request for data reference or setting.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the other station communication accepting means 62
Of the communication interface is separated, and the part for processing the communication data received by the communication interface is replaced with a means for performing another processing. As a result, various functions can be provided for communication.

In FIG. 4, the FCS simulators 5a, 5b,
The operation monitoring means 7 and the graphic display means 8 operate on the personal computer 90. The FCS simulators 5a and 5b are simulators having the same configuration as the FCS simulator 5 described above. The communication interface unit 91 mediates communication between the FCS simulators 5a and 5b and the operation monitoring unit 7. The TCP / IP communication support unit 92 replaces the communication data received by the communication interface unit 91 with communication data conforming to the TCP / IP protocol. Thus, a plurality of FCS simulators can be tested between a plurality of personal computers via the Internet.

An example of a test performed in the embodiment of FIG. 4 will be described. When the FCS simulator 5c (not shown) is operating on another personal computer 100, the FCS simulator 5c
Communication from a to the FCS simulator 5c is received by the communication interface unit 91. The TCP / IP communication supporting means 92 replaces the communication data received by the communication interface means 91 with communication data conforming to the TCP / IP protocol, and transmits the data to the personal computer 1 via the Internet.
Send to 00. The reply data processed by the personal computer 100 is received by the TCP / IP communication supporting means 92 via the Internet, and the TCP / IP communication supporting means 92 returns the received communication data to the FCS simulator 5a. At this time, the TCP / IP communication supporting unit 92 replaces communication data conforming to the TCP / IP protocol with communication data conforming to the communication protocol of the FCS simulator 5a. This enables communication between the FCS simulator 5a on the personal computer 90 and the FCS simulator 5c on the personal computer 100.

Similarly, the operation monitoring means 7 and the personal computer 1
It can also communicate with the FCS simulator on 00.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, a tracing unit 93 traces a communication frame received by the communication interface unit 91. The display means 94 displays the traced communication frame on a screen. By providing the tracing means 93 and the display means 94, the FCS simulators 5a and 5b and the operation monitoring means 7 are provided.
Can confirm the communication sent to other stations.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. 6, the communication means 95 sends the communication data received by the communication interface means 91 to the control station of the actual device. By providing the communication means 95, communication between the FCS simulators 5a and 5b and the actual control station 110 can be performed.

[0037]

In order to test the validity of the communication between the control station to be tested and the control station other than the test target, the control station other than the test target only needs to operate correctly for communication only. It is not necessary to perform the control operation. According to the present invention, a control station other than the test target is configured to simulate the virtual control station simulating only the communication interface. This eliminates the need for a database in a virtual control station other than the test target, thereby reducing the time required to create the database.
In addition, since the virtual control station other than the test target only needs to operate the communication interface, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the performance of the machine when the virtual control station is operated on the EWS.

A TCP is added to a virtual control station that simulates a control station other than the control station to be tested.
Since the / IP communication support means is provided, a plurality of FCS simulators can be tested between a plurality of personal computers via the Internet.

Since the tracing means and the display means are provided in the virtual control station that simulates a control station other than the control station to be tested, it is possible to confirm the communication sent from the FCS simulator or the operation monitoring means to another station. it can.

Since the communication means is provided in the virtual control station that simulates a control station other than the control station to be tested, communication between the FCS simulator and the actual control station can be performed.

[0041]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a conventional example of a test apparatus for a distributed control system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 5, 5a, 5b FCS simulator 61 Simulating means 6 Virtual control station 62 Other station communication receiving means 63 Database memory 64 Interface operation monitoring means Graphic display means 91 Communication interface means 92 TCP / IP communication correspondence means 93 Trace means 94 Display Means 95 Communication means

Claims (11)

[Claims] A virtual control station simulating a real control station provided in a distributed control system is constructed, and a communication test is performed between the virtual control stations to perform a communication test between the real control stations. In a test apparatus for a virtual distributed control system, a virtual control station that simulates a control station to be tested is provided with first simulation means that simulates all functions of the control station. A virtual control station for simulating a control station other than the above is provided with a second simulation means for simulating only the function of a communication interface. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the second simulation unit receives communication from a virtual control station that simulates the control station to be tested, and includes another station communication reception unit that returns reply data corresponding to the received data. The test apparatus for a distributed control system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The test apparatus for a distributed control system according to claim 2, further comprising a database memory which is accessed by said other station communication accepting means and stores return data corresponding to received data. 4. The test apparatus for a distributed control system according to claim 3, wherein said reply data is data for causing a virtual control station simulating a control station to be tested to perform a predefined operation. . 5. The distribution according to claim 3, further comprising a user interface for accessing the database memory, wherein a value to be tested is set in the database memory via the user interface. Testing equipment for mold control systems. 6. An operation monitoring means for operating and monitoring a plant, a graphic display means for graphically displaying a result of the operation monitoring, a virtual control station provided in a distributed control system for simulating a real control station, Other station communication accepting means provided in the virtual control station and returning reply data according to received data received from outside, and provided in the virtual control station, accessed by the other station communication accepting means, and responded to the received data. Database memory in which the reply data is stored, and when the operation monitoring means transmits to the other station communication receiving means, the other station communication receiving means transmits the reply data corresponding to the received data from the database memory. Read and return to operation monitoring means,
A test apparatus for a distributed control system, wherein the operation monitoring means changes the display state of the graphic display means according to the return data. 7. The test apparatus for a distributed control system according to claim 6, wherein said reply data is data for causing a graphic display means to perform a predefined display. 8. The second simulating means includes: communication interface means for mediating communication of a virtual control station simulating the control station to be tested; and communication data received by the communication interface means.
2. The test apparatus for a distributed control system according to claim 1, further comprising: TCP / IP communication supporting means for replacing the communication data with communication data conforming to the CP / IP protocol. 9. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the second simulation unit mediates communication of a virtual control station simulating the control station to be tested, and a trace that traces a communication frame received by the communication interface unit. Display means for displaying the traced communication frame on a screen;
The test apparatus for a distributed control system according to claim 1, further comprising: 10. The second simulating means includes: a communication interface means for mediating communication of a virtual control station simulating the control station to be tested; and a communication device for controlling communication data received by the communication interface means for real equipment. 2. The test apparatus for a distributed control system according to claim 1, further comprising: a communication unit for transmitting to the station. 11. An operation monitoring means for operating and monitoring a plant, and a graphic display means for graphically displaying a result of the operation monitoring, wherein the communication interface means mediates communication of the operation monitoring means. The test apparatus for a distributed control system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein: