METHODS, APPARATUS AND ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE TO TEST BATCH CONFIGURATIONS

• US 20120209557A1
• Filed: 02/11/2011
• Published: 08/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Crandall, Brian, Thiele, Dirk, Bell, Noel
• Granted Patent: US 8,788,239 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/123
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41885 characterised by modeling, simulation of the manufacturing system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32364 Simulate batch processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

Example methods, apparatus and articles to test batch configurations are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes identifying, using a processor, an execution path through a batch configuration of a process control system, generating a test plan for the execution path, stimulating the process control system to execute the test plan, and recording a result of the test plan.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

identifying, using a processor, an execution path through a batch configuration of a process control system;

generating a test plan for the execution path;

stimulating the process control system to execute the test plan; and

recording a result of the test plan.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

identifying a second execution path through the batch configuration;

presenting the execution path and the second execution path to a user; and

receiving an input selecting the execution path for testing.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein identifying the execution path comprises:

identifying all execution paths between an initial node and each termination node;

merging portions of execution paths that diverge and converge; and

creating a path description for each of the execution paths.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein generating the test plan comprises:

identifying a sequence of interactions representing the execution path; and

inserting an additional interaction into the sequence to cause the process control system to execute the test plan.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising comparing the result to at least one of a second result of the test plan executed on a second process control system, a project design objective, or a functional test objective.

6. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein the second process control system comprises the first process control system, and the second process control system implements a different software version than the first process control system.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a path discoverer to identify an execution path through a batch configuration of a process control system;

a test plan creator to generate a test plan for the execution path; and

a test plan executor to stimulate the process control system to execute the test plan, and record a result of the test plan.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein:

the path discoverer is to identify a second execution path through the batch configuration; and

the test plan creator is to present the execution path and the second execution path to a user, and receive an input selecting the execution path for testing.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the path discoverer is to:

identify all execution paths between an initial node and each termination node;

merge portions of execution paths that diverge and converge; and

create a path description for each of the execution paths.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the test plan creator is to:

identify a sequence of interactions representing the execution path; and

insert an additional interaction into the sequence to cause the test plan executor to stimulate the process control system to execute the test plan.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 7, further comprising a comparer to compare the result to at least one of a second result of the test plan executed on a second process control system, a project design objective, or a functional test objective.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the second process control system comprises the first process control system, and the second process control system implements a different software version than the first process control system.

13. A tangible article of manufacture storing machine-readable instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to at least:

identify an execution path through a batch configuration of a process control system;

generate a test plan for the execution path;

stimulate the process control system to execute the test plan; and

record a result of the test plan.

14. A tangible article of manufacture as defined in claim 13, wherein the machine-readable instructions, when executed, cause a processor to:

identify a second execution path through the batch configuration;

present the execution path and the second execution path to a user; and

receive an input selecting the execution path for testing.

15. A tangible article of manufacture as defined in claim 13, wherein the machine-readable instructions, when executed, cause a processor to identify the execution path by at least:

identifying all execution paths between an initial node and each termination node;

merging portions of execution paths that diverge and converge; and

creating a path description for each of the execution paths.

16. A tangible article of manufacture as defined in claim 13, wherein the machine-readable instructions, when executed, cause a processor to generate the test plan by at least:

identifying a sequence of interactions representing the execution path; and

inserting an additional interaction into the sequence to cause the process control system to execute the test plan.

17. A tangible article of manufacture as defined in claim 13, wherein the machine-readable instructions, when executed, cause a processor to compare the result to at least one of a second result of the test plan executed on a second process control system, a project design objective, or a functional test objective.

18. A tangible article of manufacture as defined in claim 17, wherein the second process control system comprises the first process control system, and the second process control system implements a different software version than the first process control system.