Apparatus for automatically registering topology of individual components of a process installation in automation technology

• US 20090319062A1
• Filed: 06/10/2009
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CodeWrights GmbH (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Original Assignee: CodeWrights GmbH (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Inventors: Schwalbe, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US12/457,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20090319062A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/86
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31034 Component identifier and location indicator corresponding to component
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31121 Fielddevice, field controller, interface connected to fieldbus
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

An apparatus for automatically registering topology of individual components of a process installation in automation technology. The components include field devices ascertaining or influencing physical and/or chemical, process variables. A superordinated control unit is provided, which communicates with the field devices via a fieldbus protocol conventional in automation technology and via which the field devices can be serviced. A radio tag is associated with each field device. Stored on the radio tag is topology-relevant information of the corresponding field device. A radio tag reader is provided, which registers the topology-relevant information of the radio tags and forwards such to the superordinated control unit.

Claims

1-12. -12. (canceled)

13. An apparatus for automatically registering topology of individual components of a process installation in automation technology, wherein the components include, field devices ascertaining or influencing physical and/or chemical, process variables, comprising:

a superordinated control unit is provided, which communicates with the field devices via a fieldbus protocol conventional in automation technology and via which the field devices can be serviced;

a radio tag is associated with each field device, wherein topology-relevant information of a field device is stored on its radio tag; and

a radio tag reader, which registers the topology-relevant information of said radio tags and forwards such to said superordinated control unit.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:

corresponding device objects associated with the field devices, wherein said device objects permit servicing of the field devices by said superordinated control unit, wherein;

running on said superordinated control unit is a predetermined operating system, into which a frame application for said device objects is integrated; and

said superordinated control unit utilizes the topology-relevant information, in order to integrate said device objects into said superordinated control unit, or into a target application.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

a communication, device object instantiated in said frame application for communicating with all radio tags and for ascertaining topology-relevant information and communication parameters of the field devices, wherein;

said communication device object ascertains in the frame application, on the basis of the information, a complete project planning describing the process installation.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein:

said communication, device object adds said device objects and, on occasion, other communication, device objects to the project in accordance with topology-relevant information;

said communication, device object inserts ascertained communication parameters for all newly instantiated device objects.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

said communication, device object is a device object, which enables communication according to a communication standard known in automation technology.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

said radio tag reader is a mobile or a stationary device.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein:

said device objects are device type managers or device descriptions, which comprehensively describe the field devices.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein:

said frame application is an FDT frame.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

the field devices and said superordinated control unit communicate with one another via a fieldbus and/or via a radio connection.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

said superordinated control unit is a control system or a PLC (programmable logic controller).

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein:

said superordinated control unit is integrated in a PC or in a laptop.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

said superordinated control unit is an object oriented, configuration and management system.