SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EMULATION OF AN AUTOMATION CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20140343918A1
• Filed: 05/14/2013
• Published: 11/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Rischar, Charles, Hall, Kenwood, Maturana, Francisco, Grgic, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 9,846,585 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/23
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/056 Programming the PLC
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/13174 Pc, computer connected to plc to simulate machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/13186 Simulation, also of test inputs
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23258 GUI graphical user interface, icon, function bloc editor, labview
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23261 Use control template library
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25067 Graphic configuration control system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/455 Emulation; Interpretation; Software simulation, e.g. virtualisation or emulation of application or operating system execution engines

Abstract

Present embodiments include an automation control system including one or more processors and memories with an application stored on the one or more memories and implemented by the one or more processors. The application includes an interface configured to communicate with automation devices via a communication subsystem. Further, the application includes an operation environment, a programming environment, and an emulation environment. The programming environment is configured to generate device elements corresponding to the automation devices within the operation environment in which the device elements are configured to functionally interact with the automation devices. The emulation environment is configured to automatically host an emulation model of the automation devices based on the device elements generated within the operation environment.

Claims

1. An automation control system, comprising:

one or more processors and memories;

an application stored on the one or more memories and implemented by the one or more processors, the application including an interface configured to communicate with automation devices via a communication subsystem;

an operation environment of the application;

a programming environment of the application configured to generate device elements corresponding to the automation devices within the operation environment in which the device elements are configured to functionally interact with the automation devices; and

an emulation environment configured to automatically host an emulation model of the automation devices based on the device elements generated within the operation environment.

2. The automation control system of claim 1, wherein the emulation environment is configured to automatically host the emulation model of the automation devices based on the device elements generated within the operation environment and interfaces to other devices.

3. The automation control system of claim 1, wherein the emulation model includes emulation modules with characteristics defined by characteristics of the device elements.

4. The automation control system of claim 3, wherein each of the emulation modules is configured to receive input and provide output in a manner that emulates a physical automation device and wherein each of the emulation module is configured to receive input from a simulation model.

5. The automation control system of claim 4, wherein the physical automation device being emulated includes a input/output device, an automation controller, or a motor drive.

6. The automation control system of claim 1, wherein the emulation model is configured to emulate communications between the automation devices.

7. The automation control system of claim 1, wherein the programming environment is configured to instantiate a particular device element within the programming environment upon detection of communicative coupling of a physical automation device to the automation control system.

8. The automation control system of claim 1, wherein the emulation environment is configured to facilitate user modification of the emulation model.

9. The automation control system of claim 1, wherein the emulation environment graphically presents in a manner that differs from that in which the operational environment graphically presents.

10. The automation control system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured to communicate with the emulation model via the communication subsystem.

11. The automation control system of claim 1, comprising an emulation trigger within the programming environment, wherein actuation of the emulation trigger causes activation of the emulation environment.

12. A method, comprising:

configuring an operation environment by instantiating a device element within a programming environment in response to an input, wherein the device element includes operational characteristics corresponding to operational characteristics of a physical automation device; and

generating an emulation module of an emulation model within an emulation environment, wherein the emulation module is configured to emulate the physical automation device based on the operational characteristics of the device element.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising activating the emulation environment based on actuation of an emulation trigger from within the programming environment.

14. The method of claim 13, comprising providing a visual indicator of an emulation mode of operation when the emulation environment is actively being accessed.

15. The method of claim 12, comprising utilizing at least one memory and at least one processor to perform instantiations of device elements and modules, and performing simulations.

16. The method of claim 12, comprising providing a directory tree including instantiated device elements that are configured for emulation.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the input is generated by a user-input device.

18. The method of claim 12, comprising managing virtual clock time by expanding time steps, contracting time steps, or rewinding time steps.

19. One or more tangible, non-transitory machine-readable media comprising instructions configured to be carried out on an electronic device configured to coordinate with an automation control system, the instructions configured to:

populate an operation environment by instantiating a device element within a programming environment in response to an input, wherein the device element includes operational characteristics corresponding to operational characteristics of a physical automation device of the automation control system; and

populate an emulation model within an emulation environment with an emulation module, wherein the emulation module is configured to emulate the physical automation device based on the operational characteristics of the device element.

20. The one or more tangible, non-transitory machine-readable media of claim 19, comprising instructions configured to automatically populate the emulation model with the emulation module when the corresponding device element is instantiated or when the emulation environment is activated.

21. The one or more tangible, non-transitory machine-readable media of claim 19, comprising instructions configured to provide output to or receive input from a simulation component.

22. The one or more tangible, non-transitory machine-readable media of claim 19, configured to provide remote access to the programming environment.