Simulation system for multi-node process control systems
First Claim
1. A method of creating a simulation system for simulating the operation of one or more nodes of a process control system having a plurality communicatively interconnected modules at each of the one or more nodes and a configuration for each of the one or more nodes stored in a configuration database, the method comprising;
- specifying at least one node of the process control system for which to create a simulation instance;
accessing the configuration database to obtain copies of the modules within the configuration of the at least one specified node of the process control system;
storing the copies of the modules within a simulation computer; and
automatically converting the copied modules into simulation modules to create the simulation instance having a plurality of communicatively interconnected simulation modules.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A simulation system attaches to a configuration database for one or more fully configured nodes of a process control system and copies the modules within those nodes into one or more simulation computers as simulation modules. The simulation system includes an algorithm that, during or after the copying process, automatically creates a reference parameter module for each of the copied nodes that stores a reference parameter for each of the inputs, outputs or other references to signals external to the nodes, such as input/output blocks, other function blocks in other nodes, transmitter blocks in field devices, etc. In the case of Fieldbus function blocks, the simulation system automatically creates a function block within the simulation workstation in the protocol of the controller node which mimics the operation of the Fieldbus function block, and then creates the simulation system having those mimicked Fieldbus function blocks operating as if they had originally been configured to be in the controller being simulated, instead of within a field device external to the controller.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of creating a simulation system for simulating the operation of one or more nodes of a process control system having a plurality communicatively interconnected modules at each of the one or more nodes and a configuration for each of the one or more nodes stored in a configuration database, the method comprising;
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specifying at least one node of the process control system for which to create a simulation instance;
accessing the configuration database to obtain copies of the modules within the configuration of the at least one specified node of the process control system;
storing the copies of the modules within a simulation computer; and
automatically converting the copied modules into simulation modules to create the simulation instance having a plurality of communicatively interconnected simulation modules. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of obtaining a snapshot of a simulation system for a process control system having modules with redundancy capabilities that create redundancy signals to be sent to redundant modules within the process control system, the method comprising:
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creating a simulation system as a plurality of communicatively interconnected simulation modules which create redundancy signals for parameters thereof;
sending the redundancy signals of the communicatively interconnected simulation modules within the simulation system to be stored in dedicated memory locations in a simulation computer during operation of the simulation system; and
storing a snapshot of the simulation system at a particular time by;
halting operation of the simulation system at the particular time;
copying the contents of the dedicated memory locations into a snapshot file; and
continuing operation of the simulation system. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A simulation creation system for creating a simulation instance to simulate the operation of one or more nodes of a process control system having a plurality communicatively interconnected modules at each of the one or more nodes and a configuration for each of the one or more nodes stored in a configuration database, the simulation creation system comprising;
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a processor;
a computer readable memory;
a first routine stored on the computer readable memory and adapted to be executed on the processor to enable a user to specify at least one node of the process control system for which to create a simulation instance; and
a second routine stored on the computer readable memory and adapted to be executed on the processor to create a simulation instance for the specified node by;
accessing the configuration database to obtain copies of the modules within the configuration of the specified node;
storing the copies of the modules within a simulation memory; and
automatically converting the copied modules into simulation modules to create the simulation instance having a plurality of communicatively interconnected simulation modules. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification