DE102006053866A1 - Method for operating a modular field device of automation technology operating according to the block model - Google Patents

Abstract

In a method for operating a block model based modular field device of automation technology, which consists of a sensor MA1 and a transmitter MU, after the connection of the sensor MA1 with the transmitter MU stored in the sensor MA1 identifier KN1 is read and this identifier KN1 activates the transmission block adapted to the measuring sensor MA1 used in the measuring transducer MU (FIG. 4).

Description

The The invention relates to a method for operating a block model working modular field device the automation technology according to the preamble of claim 1.

In automation technology, especially in process automation technology are often field devices used to capture and / or influence process variables serve. examples for such field devices are level gauges, mass flow meters, pressure and temperature measuring devices etc., as sensors, the corresponding process variables level, Record flow, pressure or temperature.

to Influence of process variables serve actuators, eg. B. valves or pumps, over the flow of a liquid be changed in a pipe section or the level in a container can.

A Variety of such field devices is manufactured and distributed by the company group Endress + Hauser.

In usually are field devices in modern automation equipment via communication networks (Profibus, Foundation Fieldbus, etc.) with higher-level units (eg. B. control systems, control units) connected. This parent Units are used for process control, process visualization, process monitoring as well as for commissioning or operating the field devices.

When field devices In general, such units are also referred to directly a fieldbus are connected and communicating with the parent Units (eg remote I / Os, gateways, linking devices, Controller).

To the Fieldbus systems are also part of corporate networks that are based on Ethernet-based work, integrated. So that can come from different areas of a business Process or field device information be accessed.

to worldwide communication Company networks also with public Networks, z. B. connected to the Internet.

To the Operation and commissioning of the field devices require corresponding operating programs (eg FieldCare, Endress + Hauser, Pactware, AMS, Emerson, Simatic PDM, Siemens).

to Plant control and monitoring of larger plants serve control system applications (eg Simatic PCS7, Siemens, Freelance, ABB, Delta V, Emerson).

One essential aspect of open fieldbus systems such. B. Profibus and Foundation Fieldbus is interoperability and interchangeability of devices different manufacturers. So sensors, actuators, etc. Various manufacturers can be used together without any problems. It is also possible a sensor from a specific manufacturer by a corresponding Replace sensor from another manufacturer.

This requires a clear structuring of data and functions in the individual field devices, um to enable uniform system-wide data access. This simple data access is achieved by standardized Fieldbus system such as Profibus or Foundation Fieldbus, which after the Block model work. Data and functions of a field device in different blocks encapsulated, the outside appear as communication objects. Each field device after the Block model works, has at least one resource block, the all data that a device identify z. Eg device and vendor name, serial number, hardware and firmware versions, includes.

Next the device block is usually still a transmission block (transducer block) available. Such a transmission block is used for Preparation of input signals z. B. one of a sensor delivered raw signal before sending it to other blocks for further processing is forwarded.

In the transmission block usually the calibration and the linearization of the raw signal, so after this processing as the output of this block the actual measured value is available.

The functionality of the transmission block exactly matched to the sensor that supplies the raw signal.

Further application-oriented functional blocks are z. B. PID, AI (Anolog Input), AO (Analog Output) blocks, which encapsulate certain functions of the respective devices and those for a complex one Control strategy can be interconnected.

In modular field devices in which z. B. a transmitter is connected to different sensors, there is the problem on the part of the equipment manufacturer that not already in the manufacture of the device, the transmission block can be stored in the device, as it is not known with which sensor type, the user actually uses the transmitter wants to zen.

Out This is the reason for the transmission block first in the relevant field device saved, if clarity about it consists of which sensor type the user will use. In Usually this is only possible after ordering the field device. This means for modular field devices one considerable effort in the manufacturing process and in warehousing. It can not be ruled out that a mismatched transmission block in a money device is stored.

At the User is another problem that the replacement of a existing sensor against another type of sensor not readily possible. He has to do this the transmission block in the transmitter if the newly installed sensor not to the existing transmission block in Transmitter fits. This means an interruption of the process application and thus an undesirable Plant shutdown. Furthermore is the replacement of a service technician necessary.

All in all are modular field devices also not easy to handle by the user in certain situations.

task Therefore, it is a method of operation of the present invention a working according to the block model modular field device of Specify automation technology, the above-mentioned disadvantages not having, in particular, a simple adaptation of a transmitter allows for the transmitter type used and that simple and economical is feasible.

• a) Verbinden eines Messaufnehmers MA1 mit dem Messumformer MU
• b) Auslesen im Messaufnehmer MA1 gespeicherten Kennung KN1
• c) Aktivierung eines auf den eingesetzten Messaufnehmer MA1 angepassten Übertragungsblock im Messumformer MU

This object is achieved by the following features specified in claim 1. Method for operating a modular field device of automation technology operating according to the block model, which has a measuring transducer that can be connected to different sensors and that requires a transmission block for measuring signal-specific signal evaluation, with the following method steps:

• a) Connect a sensor MA1 to the transmitter MU
• b) reading KN1 stored in the sensor MA1
• c) Activation of a transmission block adapted to the sensor MA1 used in the transmitter MU

The essential idea of the invention is that the transmission block automatically adapts to the transmitter types used.

advantageous Further developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

So can in the transmitter several transmission blocks for different Be stored sensors.

alternative the transceiver stores a generic transmission block is that can be adapted to different sensors.

following The invention is explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing.

It demonstrate:

1 Fieldbus system in a schematic representation;

2 Block diagram of a field device in a schematic representation

In 1 is a network of automation technology shown in more detail. To a data bus D1 several computer units, (workstations, workstations) WS1, WS2, connected. These computer units serve as higher-level units (control system or control unit), inter alia, for process visualization, process monitoring and for engineering as well as for operating and monitoring field devices. The data bus D1 operates z. For example, according to the Foundation Fieldbus HSE (High Speed Ethernet) standard. Via a gateway G1, which may also be a linking device or a controller, the data bus D1 is connected to a fieldbus segment SM1. The field bus segment SM1 consists of several field devices F1, F2, F3, F4, which are connected to each other via a field bus FB. The field devices F1, F2, F3, F4 may be sensors or actuators. The fieldbus FB works z. For example, according to the fieldbus standard Foundation Fieldbus.

In 2 is one of the field devices, z. B. the field device F1, shown in more detail as a block diagram. It consists of a physical sensor MA1 for recording a process variable (eg a pH sensor, conductivity sensor) and a transmitter MU in which the measurement signal coming from the sensor is processed and sent to other communication users, eg a computer. B. the field devices F2-F4 is provided via the fieldbus FB.

As a software component, the transmitter MU has a block of equipment (Resource Block R) containing the device and manufacturer name, the serial number and the hardware and firmware versions on the transmitter MU. The data of the device block can be easily queried via the fieldbus FB.

When Another software component is a transmission block (Transducer Block T1) is provided.

The transmission block T1 is used to process the raw signal delivered by sensor MA1. In the transmission block T1 occurs z. B. a calibration and a linearization of the sensor MA1 delivered raw signal. After processing the raw signal the actual measured value MW is available for further purposes. This Measured value MW can be forwarded to other function blocks. In the simplest case, the measured value MW is only sent to one function block F1 forwarded in the transmitter MU. This function block is F1 then an AI function block (analog input), the measured value MW other communication partners on the Fieldbus FB provides. In addition to an AI block can even more functional blocks be used in the transmitter MU, here is an example Mentioned PID block. With function blocks can simple but also very complex control strategies are built.

to Creation of control strategies will be appropriate tool z. B. ControlCare Fa. Endress + Hauser used. The finished one Control strategy is used when commissioning the fieldbus system transferred by download to the individual field devices.

The Timing of the communication between the function blocks controls at Foundation Fielbus a so-called Link-Active-Scheduler LAS. He controls the bus activities with the help of various commands, which are sent to the individual bus participants (Field devices) be sent. equipment that perform the function of the LAS, is called a link master. As the LAS continuously unoccupied device addresses interrogates, Is it possible during operation field devices to connect to the fieldbus and integrate them into ongoing operation. In the present case, the LAS is provided in the gateway G1.

in principle With Foundation Fieldbus, a distinction is made between the cyclical one and acyclic communication. Time-critical tasks such. B. the regulation of the process variables over the Control circuits are exclusively via the cyclical communication. The parameterization and diagnosis from field devices via the acyclic communication. To all communication tasks to the right one Time and without be able to perform access conflicts, the cyclic communication after a fixed processing schedule that repeats cyclically, carried out. One cycle of the processing schedule is called macrocycle.

The Communication of the communication participants at Foundation Fieldbus is done according to the publisher-subscriber principle.

As already mentioned, is for every device (bus participant) the time at which the device is sending its cyclic Data is requested by the LAS. The addressed device (the publisher) released then his data z. B. a measured value via the fieldbus. These dates are then used by all devices, who as a subscriber for this data has been configured, read.

In 3 the publisher-subscriber principle is schematically illustrated by means of the two field devices F1, F2 with function blocks FB1 and FB2 illustrated in a generally simplified manner. The field device F1 is the publisher for a measured value MW, the field device F2 is the subscriber for this measured value MW. Communication between the corresponding function blocks FB1 (eg DI block) and FB2 (eg PID block) takes place via a corresponding communication relationship.

In 4 If the hardware structure of the field device F1 is shown in more detail. A microprocessor μP in the transmitter is connected to the sensor MA1 via an RS485 interface. The sensor MA1 has a sensor S an amplifier V and a relatively simple microcontroller μC. The microprocessor μP in the transmitter is connected to several memory units. A memory VM serves as a temporary (volatile) RAM RAM. The memory for the software program SP to be executed in the microprocessor μP is an EPROM memory or flash memory FLASH. In a non-volatile writeable data storage NVM z. As an EEPROM memory parameter values (eg calibration data, etc.) are stored.

The in the microprocessor μP running software program SP defines the application-related functionalities of the field device (eg

Measured value calculation, Linearization of measured values, diagnostic tasks, etc.). In particular, be Here also the different function blocks managed.

Farther is the microprocessor μP connected to a display A / B control unit (eg LCD display with several pushbuttons).

For communication with a control unit, the microprocessor μP is via a Kommunikati ons unit COM connected to a fieldbus interface FBS. A supply unit NT supplies the necessary energy for the individual electronic components of the field device F1. The power supply lines to the individual components in the field device are not shown for clarity.

following is the inventive method explained in more detail. Becomes the sensor MA1 first connected to the transmitter MU, Thus, a stored in the sensor MA1 identifier KN1 from the Sensor MA1 read out. On the basis of this identifier, the sensor MA1 be identified by the transmitter MU.

are in the transmitter different transmission blocks T1, T2, T3 for different sensors MA1, MA2, MA3 with corresponding identifiers KN1, KN2, KN3 stored, so can on the basis of the identifier KN1 of the Transducer MA1 matching transmission block TA1 be activated.

alternative is a generic transfer block T be provided in the transmitter MU, the different transducer types MA1, MA2 or MA3 is customizable.

With Help the identifier KN1 can also be the generic transmission block T accordingly be adjusted.

In both cases is immediately after the connection of the sensor MA1 with the Transmitter MU1 of the transmission block suitable for sensor MA1 activated.

hereby arises for Device manufacturers and Users the advantage of having transducers for different types of transducers are much easier to handle.

At the Manufacturers can the generic transmission block or the various transmission blocks already transferred to the field device during production become. This simplifies production, warehousing and storage Ordering process.

In addition, can the user can change the sensor type easily and safely. The appropriate transfer block is always available automatically.

Claims (3)

Method of operating one after the block model working modular field device the automation technology, which has a transmitter, the can be connected to different sensors and the transducer-specific Signal evaluation requires a transmission block, with following process steps: a) Connecting a sensor MA1 with the transmitter MU b) Reading in the sensor MA1 stored identifier KN1 c) activation of one on the used Transducer MA1 adapted transmission block in the transmitter MU Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that in the transmitter MU several transmission blocks T1, T2, T3 for different sensors MA1, MA2, MA3 are stored. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that a generic transmission block is stored in the transmitter MU is adaptable to different sensors MA1, MA2, MA3 is.