WO2006013155A1

WO2006013155A1 - Device components for an electrical field device and method for generation of a secure copy of data for the device components

Info

Publication number: WO2006013155A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/053475
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans-Werner Funk; Hans-Joachim Herrmann; Günter KIESSLING
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2004-07-29
Filing date: 2005-07-19
Publication date: 2006-02-09
Also published as: EP1782162A1; CN1993668A; DE102004037526A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device component (1) for an electrical field device. According to the invention, such a device component (1) may be comparably economically exchanged on a fault, whereby the device component (1) comprises a data interface (2), by means of which a solder-free connection to a memory module (3) may be achieved. The invention further relates to a method for the generation of a secure copy of data for a hard-wired memory module (7) of the device component (1).

Description

description

Device component for an electric field device and method for creating a back-up copy of data of the device component

The invention relates to a device component for a elektri¬ cal field device. Electric field devices are used, for example, in the automation of power distribution systems, where they are used, for example. are used as electrical protection devices, power quality devices or electrical control devices. Further, electric field devices e.g. also used in the fields of automated control and regulation of procedural processes and industrial automation.

Frequently, electric field devices consist of several individual device components such as control modules, input and output modules for transmitting and receiving data and converter modules for transforming measuring currents and voltages. From the Siemens device manual "SIPROTEC, distance protection 7SA6, V4.3 ^ΛΛ , order ^no . C53000-G1100-C156-3 is spielsweise from the section "Introduction overall function", pages 2 to 4 _Λ. A digital distance protection device as field devices advises known, inter alia, an input amplifier group, an analog-to-digital converter group and a control module in the form of a microcomputer system.

Frequently, for example, the control module contains a memory module in which a software for controlling the device functions of the field device, the so-called firmware, is stored. Furthermore, this memory module can also store data for the parameterization of device functions of the electric field rätes, measured values and, for example, current and Spannungsver¬ runs during an accident in the power grid ent keep. If the control module fails, for example due to a defect in the microprocessor, then this stored data is usually irretrievably lost or can only be restored with great effort. Normally, they must be reentered if the corresponding device component is replaced - if available. This means that once again a device firmware must be loaded and the corresponding parameter settings made.

The object of the invention is to improve a device component of an electric field device such that a comparatively cost-effective replacement is possible even in the case of a defect in the device component.

This object is achieved by a device component for an electric field device which has a data interface with which a memory module can be contacted without soldering. A solderless contacting is to be understood at this point as those electrical connections in which - without having to make a soldering - a contact between the data interface and the memory module can be made. In this way, the memory module (without soldering, so solderless) from the Daten¬ interface can be removed.

The invention is based on the finding that a defect in a device component only occurs in very rare cases with regard to its data memory, so that it normally continues to function in the normal case. Thus, in the case of the device component according to the invention, the memory module, which is still intact, can be easily removed from the device component. standards and in an exchange device component used, for example, inserted. In this way, a replacement of a defective device component not only take place without data loss for the electric field device, but also cost.

An embodiment of the device component according to the invention provides that a memory module is contacted with the data interface.

It is considered advantageous with regard to such a device component if the memory module has a voltage source for buffering the data stored thereon. In this way, for example with a battery as a voltage source on the memory module, a loss of data can be ensured even in the case of such memory modules of the memory module which require an electrical power supply for data storage.

However, it is considered particularly advantageous if the memory module has a non-volatile memory module. In this way, an exchange even after a long time still lossless. According to an advantageous embodiment, a so-called flash memory may be provided as the non-volatile memory module. Such flash memories are widely known, for example in the form of digital memory cards from the field of digital photography and can be obtained at comparatively low cost.

In order to be able to control the memory module directly from the corresponding device component, it is advantageously provided that the device component has at least one memory controller for controlling the memory module. Furthermore, it is considered advantageous with respect to the device component according to the invention if the device component also has a permanently installed memory element in addition to the removable memory module. In this case, for example, all measured values arising during operation can first be stored on the permanently installed memory element which, for example, allows fast access time. At regular intervals, an image of the data content of the permanently installed memory element can then be transferred to the removable memory module, thus producing a backup copy. In this case, the removable memory module can also be a memory module which has a slower access time than the permanently installed memory element and would therefore not be suitable for rapid storage, for example of accident data. Furthermore, it can be provided that only certain essential data is transmitted from the permanently installed memory element to the removable memory module. Less essential data in which a loss had less effect could in this case remain on the fixed storage element.

In addition, it is possible to use data compression when transferring the data from the permanently installed memory element to the removable memory module. In this way, the removable memory module can be designed with a smaller memory capacity than the permanently installed memory element and thus generates lower costs for the purchase.

In this context, it is furthermore considered advantageous if the device component has a voltage monitoring unit. Having direction for monitoring anlie¬ on the device component lowing supply voltage. In this case, a warning signal can be given by means of the voltage monitoring device if a power failure of the device component threatens, so that a backup copy of the data of the permanently installed memory element on the removable memory module can be generated in good time.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive device component can also be provided that the removable memory module has two memory modules with different access time. In this case, namely, for example, those data which have to be stored in a relatively large amount in a relatively short time - for example, accident data which accumulates in large quantities within a few seconds - can be stored on a memory module with a short access time, while sol¬ Data that accumulate only a small amount within comparatively long time and are not frequently changed, such as parameter values or the device firmware, are stored on a memory module with a comparatively long access time. This has the advantage that the memory module with a short access time only has to be made as large as absolutely necessary and thus only relatively low costs for the entire memory module are incurred.

A possible embodiment of the device component according to the invention is given by the fact that the device component is a control device of the field device. In this case, for example, parameterization data, the device firmware and operating data (counter values, fault records) of the electrical device are stored in the removable memory module. Alternatively, the device component according to the invention may, for example, also be a current or voltage converter module of the field device. In this case, for example, calibration data and identification data of the corresponding current or voltage converter module can be stored on the removable memory module.

Another possible embodiment of the device component is given by ^' that the device component has a

/ Output module of the field device is. Input / output modules of field devices are used for digital or analogue transmission and reception of measured values, messages or alarms via communication lines to or from other field devices or evaluation devices, in this case the data contained in the removable memory module can be used For example, to act identification data of the corresponding input / output module and parameter values for the respective communication inputs and outputs.

The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a method for producing a back-up copy of data relating to a device component of an electrical field device, wherein the device component is a volatile, permanently installed memory element and a removable, non-volatile one

Memory module has and wherein the following steps durch¬ out: A voltage applied to the device component Ver¬ supply voltage is monitored for a power failure and it is a warning signal generated in case of power failure of the supply voltage. In the case of the present warning signal, then those copied on the volatile, permanently installed one are copied onto the non-volatile, removable memory module. In this case, consequently, in the event of a voltage failure the device component automatically creates a backup copy of the data stored on the permanently installed memory element.

For further explanation see

Figure 1 shows schematically an embodiment of a

Device component of an electric field device with a removable memory module, in

FIG. 2 schematically shows a further embodiment of a device component of an electric field device with a removable memory module, in FIG

Figure 3 is a three-dimensional view of a field device and in

Figure 4 is a three-dimensional view of a

Current transformer module for an electric Feldge¬ advises shown.

In FIG. 1, a device component 1 of an electric field device, not shown, has an interface 2, via which a memory module 3 can be contacted so as to be detachable from the device component 1 without soldering. The device component 1 is connected in a manner not shown in Figure 1, for example via a data bus to the electric field device and performs certain functions of the electric field device true. The removable memory module 3 has a first memory module 4 and a second memory module 5, which can each be controlled by corresponding memory controllers 4a and 5a. Instead of the device component 1, the memory controller 4a and 5a on the memory module. 3 be arranged by yourself. In addition, the memory module 3 has a power supply in the form of a battery 6, which is electrically connected to the second memory module 5.

The device component 1 can access the memory modules 4 and 5 of the memory module 3 via the interface 2 and the memory controllers 4a or 5a and store data there or read in from these data. The data present in the memory modules 4 and 5 can be, for example, a firmware of the device component 1, parameters for configuring the functions of the device component 1 or operating data generated by the device component during operation of the field device. If the device component 1 is, for example, a control component of the electric field device, operating data can be, for example, measured values recorded during an accident (so-called disturbance records).

A solderless removable memory module 3 generally has the advantage that the data required for the operation of the device component 1 or generated during the operation of the device component 1 is not lost in the event of a defect in the device component. If, for example, there is a defect in the device component 1, then the removable memory module 3 can be removed from the interface 2 of the device component 1 in a simple manner and inserted into a corresponding interface of an exchange device component. The new device component can then be operated in the shortest possible time without the need for new settings. In this way both costs and labor, for example for the parameterization of the Aus¬ exchange device component, avoided as well as the standstill time of the field device during the replacement of a defective device component reduced.

The memory module 4 shown in FIG. 1 may be, for example, a memory module having a relatively slow access time. This memory module will then be used, for example, to store data which is changed comparatively rarely and in which the speed of reading and writing processes does not play a decisive role. By way of example, such data may be the firmware of the device component 1 or parameters for the device component 1.

However, measured values, in particular measured values recorded during an accident, accumulate in the operation of the field device in large quantities and in a comparatively short time, so that a memory module with a slow access time is not sufficient for this purpose. For storing such data, the memory module 3 has the further memory module 5, which is set up for a faster access time than the memory module 4. Since memory modules with faster access times usually mean higher acquisition costs compared to memory modules with slow access times, the memory capacity becomes The comparatively faster memory module can not be made unnecessarily large in order to keep the memory modules 3 comparatively low overall. Therefore, it makes sense to use a slower for non-time critical data in addition to the fast memory module. As a memory module with a comparatively slow access time, for example, a flash memory can be considered, while a memory module with fast access time is, for example, a battery-buffered RAM module. However, it is equally possible to use only one instead of two memory modules on the memory module 3. In this case, only one memory controller would be necessary. Likewise, more than two memory modules can also be present on the memory module 3, wherein the individual memory modules are adapted to the respective data to be stored with regard to the required access time and frequency of scanning. The number of memory modules used for the memory module 3 is to be optimized in each case with regard to the respective application case and the costs to be expended.

The memory modules 4 and 5 may be non-volatile memory modules, that is to say the memory modules still have the stored data even after any storage time of any length without power or voltage supply. However, it can also be provided to use at least partially such memory modules which require a power supply in order to preserve the data stored on them. In such a case, a voltage supply, for example in the form of a battery 6, which is connected to the respective memory modules 4 and 5, is to be provided on the memory module 3. Thus, the stored data can be buffered over a long time in volatile memory. As shown in FIG. 1, only one of the memory modules, here the memory module 5, can be buffered by means of the voltage source, while the other memory module is a non-volatile memory module.

The device component 1 can - as shown in Figure 2 - also have a fixed memory element 7. In such a case, for example, all operating data generated during operation can first be stored on the permanently installed memory element 7 and at regular intervals be stored on a memory module 4 of the removable memory module 3 as a backup copy of the data content of the permanently installed memory element 7. In such a case, a memory device 4 with a slow access time to make the backup copy is sufficient. If the intervals in which a backup copy is made are chosen to be relatively short, for example at a 10-minute interval, the risk of loss of important data is correspondingly minimized.

In addition, when using a volatile memory as a permanently installed memory element 7, for example, a voltage monitoring device 8 may be provided on the device component 1, which outputs a warning signal W, if a failure of the supply voltage for the device component 1 - and thus for the memory module 7 -. threatening. Such a failure of the supply voltage can already be detected in good time, for example, if, after a failure of the supply voltage of the device component 1, this voltage is buffered by a voltage buffer 9, eg a correspondingly dimensioned capacitor, arranged upstream of the voltage supply input of the device component 1 While can be maintained. The voltage monitoring device 8 monitors in this case the lines of the supply voltage in front of the voltage buffer 9 and generates the warning signal W if there is a power interruption. During the time that the voltage buffer 9 still maintains the supply voltage, a backup copy of the data content of the permanently installed volatile memory element on the removable memory module is applied in response to the warning signal W. In this way, the data from the volatile memory is already secured when the voltage buffer 9 is exhausted. FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a field device 10 in a three-dimensional view, partially in section. The field device 10 has a Genausemantel Il and a front panel 12 with controls, such as a shown in Figure 3 from its back panel 13 on. A rear wall of the field device 10 is not shown because of its broken view in Figure 3. In the interior of the field device 10, there are a plurality of device components 14, 15, 16 in the form of printed circuit board inserts, wherein the device component lβ _{r represents,} for example, a control unit of the electric field device 10. The printed circuit board inserts are held in insertion strips 26. The device component 16 has, for example, a computing module 17, various electronic components 18 (indicated only schematically on the device component 16), switching relays 19 and plug-in connectors 20 for connecting further device components of the electric field device. Additional connectors 21 can be used to connect external connections to the device component.

The device component 16 also has an interface 22 into which a solderless removable memory module 23, for example in the form of a memory card, is inserted. Furthermore, the device component 16 also has a permanently installed (for example soldered in) memory element 24. The mode of operation of the memory module 23 and of the memory element 24 corresponds to the mode of operation described with regard to FIGS. 1 and 2 and will therefore not be explained again here.

For better accessibility of the removable memory module 23, an opening 25 can be provided in the housing jacket 11. be seen, through which the memory module 23 can be easily entnom¬ men. The opening 25 is shown partially in dashed lines in FIG. It can be seen vor¬ with appropriate arrangement of the memory module 23 on the device component 16 in the front panel 12 or the rear wall of the field device 10.

Finally, FIG. 4 shows a further device component, which is a current transformer module 30 for an electric field device. The current transformer module 30 has in its interior (not shown in FIG. 4) current transformers, for example in the form of inductive current transformers, which can be contacted on the input side via screw terminals 31. The current transformer outputs can be led out of the current transformer module 30 via cable lines 32, for example. The cable lines 32 are combined in a flat plug 33 and in this way can be easily connected to corresponding terminals of other device components of the electric field device. The current transformer module 30 also has an interface 34 into which a solderless removable memory module 35 is inserted. For example, calibration data for the current transformer contained in the current transformer module 30 can be present on this memory module 35, so that a corresponding conversion of the input currents can take place directly on the basis of the calibration data. Likewise, for example, identification data of the converter module 30 can be stored on the memory card, which makes possible a simple identification of the converter module in the electric field device. If the converter module 30 has to be replaced because of a defect, then the removable memory module 35 can be easily replaced by an exchange converter module. be connected without loss of, for example, the calibration data occurs.

Claims

claims

1. Device component (1) for an electric field device, the device component (1) has a data interface (2) with which a memory module (3) can be contacted without soldering.

2. Device component (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a memory module (3) is contacted with the data interface (2).

3. Device component (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the memory module (3) has a voltage source (6) for buffering the data stored thereon.

4. Device component (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the memory module (3) has a non-volatile memory module (4).

5. Device component (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the non-volatile memory module (4) is a flash memory.

6. Device component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, since you rchgekennzeichnet that the device component (1) at least one Memory controller (4a, 5a) for driving the memory module (3).

7. Device component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device component (1) also has a permanently installed storage element (7).

8. Device component (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the device component (1) has a voltage

Monitoring device (8) for monitoring a voltage applied to the device component (1) supply voltage.

9. Device component (1) according to one of claims 2 to 8, in that a memory chip (3) has at least two memory modules (4, 5) with different access times from one another.

10.Device component (1) according to one of the preceding

Claims to claim that the device component (1) is a control device of the field device.

11. Device component (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, since you rchgekennzeichnet that the device component (1) is a current or Spannungswandlerwandlermodul a field device.

12. Device component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, d a c h e c e n e c e s in that the device component (1) is an input / output module of the field device.

13. A method for creating a backup copy of a device component (1) of an electrical Feldgerä¬ tes associated data, wherein the device component (1) has a volatile, permanently installed memory element (7) and a removable, non-volatile Speicherbau¬ stone (3) and the following steps are carried out:

- Monitoring a at the device component (1) anlie¬ ing supply voltage to a power failure and

Generating a warning signal (W) in the event of a power failure of the supply voltage and

- Copy data contained on the volatile, permanently installed memory element (7) on the non-volatile, removable memory module (3) in the presence of the warning signal (W).