Execution of real time applications with an automation controller

• US 9,400,696 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2012
• Issued: 07/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: ABB Technology AG (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Drath, Rainer
• Primary Examiner(s): Cobb, Michael J
• Application Number:
  US13/404,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20120162235A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,614 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41885 characterised by modeling, simulation of the manufacturing system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5044 considering hardware capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A method and system are provided for performing the computational execution of automation tasks with automation devices by combining one or more central processing units (CPU) and one or more Graphics Processing Units (GPU). The control tasks and/or control algorithms are executed by the single-core or multi-core control unit (CPU) and a multi-core-graphics processor (GPU) or both in parallel at the same time.

Claims

1. A method of performing a computational execution of multiple control tasks of an automation device, wherein the automation device includes at least one of a single-core control unit and a multi-core control unit, the method comprising:

executing the control tasks on the automation device by at least one multi-core graphics processor unit (GPU), wherein the control tasks are real time applications and each control task is run exclusively at one or more designated parallel calculation units situated on a graphics adapter in the at least one GPU.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control tasks are running simultaneously on the parallel calculation units of the at least one GPU.

3. The method according to claim 1, comprising:

assigning different control tasks to a single automation device running the different tasks independently and in parallel.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the automation device is at least one of a robot controller and a motion controller, which is configured to control different axles each on a separate set of the calculation units.

5. A system comprising:

industrial machines and apparatuses;

an automation device, wherein the automation device comprises

at least one of a single-core control unit and a multi-core control unit (CPU); and

at least one multi-core graphics processor (GPU),

machines and apparatuses are configured to be subject to automation purposes and be controlled by control tasks being executed on the automation device by the GPU, wherein the control tasks are real time applications and each control task is run exclusively at one or more designated parallel calculation units situated on a graphics adapter in the at least one GPU.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the automation device is a robot controller or a motion controller, configured to control different axles each on a separate set of calculation units.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein (i) the robot controller or the motion controller and (ii) a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) are combined into the automation device.