JPH08328607A - How to update the process computer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] To provide an economical updating method for updating an existing process computer connected to an external device through an input / output device and an input / output signal line group to a new process computer. (Structure) The I / O device (2b,
The data way (5) is connected with the intervening 2c), and a new process computer (1b) is connected to this data way (5).
And the provisionally installed processor (6) are connected. The tentatively installed processor (6) receives input data transferred from the external device group (3) to the newly installed process computer (1b) via the dataway (5) and copies it to the existing process computer. Output (1a) to the data way (5) as the transfer destination. In addition, the provisionally installed processor (6) selects the control data output from one of the newly installed process computer (1b) and the existing process computer (1a) according to the selection command input from the outside, and the external device group ( Output 3) to the data way (5) as the transfer destination.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of updating an electronic calculation record (process computer) for process control used in a process control system of a production line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Process computers have been successively introduced into production lines for the purpose of improving the cost competitiveness of production lines by saving labor and improving and stabilizing the quality of products. In recent years, such a process computer has been introduced with the rapid progress of its nature.
It is becoming obsolete over the years, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to respond to new operational improvements due to lack of response or lack of storage capacity.

Various electric / instrumentation devices connected to the process computer often have a single function, or each section of the production line is shared to control or measure. In many cases, the same model can be added to improve. On the other hand, it is often more economical for the process computer to collectively control and manage the entire production line. Therefore, when the system function is improved, it is often the case that the same model or a similar model is not added but a new model is changed (updated).

Conventionally, a process computer has a device for directly inputting / outputting a process signal transmitted / received to / from an external device such as an electric / instrumentation device, and has high speed and high reliability. Has controlled its operating equipment and has demonstrated its full potential. Since 1970, devices such as remote PIOs and dataways that can simultaneously input process signals to multiple process computers have come into use. However, since these devices were expensive at the beginning of development, they could be used for control systems that have a large amount of process signals and long wiring distances and high cable costs, and for process computers that have a large amount of process signals and a backup process computer. The application was limited to a small number of control systems, such as important control systems that require switching within a short time. However, with the recent price reduction of CPU chips, remote PIOs and inexpensive dataways are becoming popular in control systems using process computers.

When changing an existing process computer to a new one, it is not a good idea to stop the operation because the existing one is in operation in real time. Normally, the function of the new process computer is checked while continuing the operation with the existing process computer. In this case, it is necessary to input the input information, which has exactly the same content and timing as those for the existing process computer, to the new process computer.
Regarding output information, it is general that switching information can be easily switched in a short time by utilizing selection information as to which output information from the existing one or the new one is used.

In the above-mentioned case, the external information input / output to / from the new process computer includes the process signal of the electric / instrumentation equipment, the telegram information passing through the equipment and a transmission device such as a modem, and the production management computer. There is message information passing through the transmission device, CRT information input to and output from the operating operator, and the like. Among them, the message information of the electric / instrumentation equipment and the production management computer can be input in parallel with the newly installed process computer by adding a modem. The CRT information is also the C of the new process computer.
It is possible to input in parallel by utilizing RT.

On the other hand, of the process signals of the electric / instrumentation equipment, the input signal to the process computer is taken as an example. In (2) a signal expansion system that modifies so as to output another set of signals that are the same as those of the existing process computer, or (2) a relay amplification circuit device for signal amplification, or a semiconductor circuit with equivalent functions, such as a photodiode. An electric signal amplification method has been adopted in which a new device combining a phototransistor circuit is newly installed and tandem circuit cuts are made in the wiring between the electric / instrumentation equipment and the process computer to generate another set of signals.

If the existing process computer is equipped with the above-mentioned data way, the same process computer control signal is input to both the old and new process computers simply by connecting the data way to the new process computer. it can.

[0009]

In the above-mentioned conventional signal amplification method, normally, there is no margin for outputting all process signal points of the existing electric / instrumentation equipment or software capacity for the existing process signal points. Absent. Therefore, this signal amplification method has a problem that the number of process signals is limited and a sufficient test cannot be performed on a new process computer.

Further, in the above conventional electric signal amplification method, it is necessary to connect in tandem in a form of cutting a wire between the existing process computer on the circuit and the electric / instrumentation equipment.
That is, when changing the process computer, the existing signal line group is removed and connected as an input line group to this signal amplifier circuit, and one output line group from this signal amplifier circuit is used as an output line group to the existing process computer. The other output line group must be connected as a signal line group to the new process computer. However, since the number of input / output signal line groups extends from several hundreds to several thousands, mistakes are likely to occur in the above-mentioned three types of wiring work, and there is a risk of serious operational damage.

Further, since the electric signal amplifying circuit is connected in tandem between the process computer and the electric / instrumentation equipment, the process can be performed via the signal amplifying circuit even after the change of the process computer is completed. The signal is input to the new process computer. However,
Since such a signal amplification circuit is used only when the process computer is changed, it may include relays with a short life, and it is necessary to remove or bypass them after changing the process computer. Therefore, there is a problem that time and labor are increased.

Further, the signal amplification circuit may be removed after the process computer has been updated, or the function may be lost due to the formation of a bypass. Although this signal amplification circuit is expensive, it requires a great deal of labor to change the wiring in order to reuse it, so it is created each time the process computer is updated and is discarded after the update is completed. . As a result, the signal amplification method has a problem of increasing cost.

Further, a process computer having a data way has recently begun to appear, and there are few existing process computers of this type. Therefore, in many existing process computers, a simple method of updating using a dataway cannot be applied. Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a method that allows for economical updating of process computers.

[0014]

The method of updating a process computer according to the present invention is an input / output signal for connecting a group of external equipment such as electric / instrumentation equipment and an existing process computer via an input / output device. A data way is connected in the middle of the line group while interposing an input / output device, and a new process computer and a temporarily installed processor are connected to this data way. The provisionally installed processor receives the data output from the external equipment group such as electric and instrumentation equipment to the new process computer via the data way, copies it and sends it to the existing process computer on the data way. Output to. Further, the provisionally installed processor selects control data output from one of the new process computer and the existing process computer according to a selection command input from the outside, and outputs the control data to the external device group on the dataway. The operation of the present invention will be described in detail with the following examples.

[0015]

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of a process control system to which a method for updating a process computer according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In this process control system, the existing process computer 1
a is connected to the external device group 3 via the input / output device 2a and the signal line group 4a, and the existing process computer 1a is about to be updated by the new process computer 1b.

When updating the process computer, first, the data way 5 is connected in the middle of the existing signal line group 4a with new input / output devices 2b and 2c interposed. The data way 5 is composed of a directional transmission link 5a for transmitting data counterclockwise and four stations 5b-5e connected in a loop by the transmission link 5a. This data way 5
In addition, a new process computer 1b and a temporarily installed processor 6 are provided via stations 5d and 5e, respectively.
And are connected.

The input / output device 2b is provided with a CPU 21, a multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 22, and an input / output port group 23 connected to the signal line group 4b, as illustrated in FIG. 2 as a concrete configuration example. . The input / output device 2b is connected to a station 5b including a CPU 21 and a data memory 52, as illustrated in FIG. I / O device 2c
And the station 5c that connects it to the dataway 5.
2 has the same configuration as each of the input / output device 2b and the station 5b illustrated in FIG.

The temporarily installed processor 6 includes a CPU 61 and an input / output device 62, as illustrated in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the provisionally installed processor 6 is connected to a station 5e including a CPU 51 and a data memory 52. The configuration of the newly installed process computer 1b and the station 5d for connecting it to the dataway 5 is the same as that of the temporarily installed process computer 6 and station 5e illustrated in FIG. Each of the stations 5b to 5e in the data way 5 includes a data memory 52 having a common address. The common address assigned to the data memory 52 corresponds to the transfer destination and the transfer order of the data written in each address.

First, the process of transferring input data from the external device group 3 to the old and new process computers 1a and 1b will be described. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, data output from various instruments included in the external device group 3 includes the input / output port group 23 of the input / output device 2b via the signal line group 4b.
To enter. The CPU 21 in the input / output device 2b reads the input data appearing in the input port group included in the input / output port group 23 via the multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 22 and transfers it to the CPU 51 in the station 5b. The CPU 51 uses the data memory 5 to store the input data received from the input / output device 2b.
The data will be written to the write address specified at the start-up of this data way on 2.

A data memory 52 in which this data is written
As described above, the upper address is assigned in correspondence with the transfer destination in the data way 5, and the correspondence between the transfer destination and the address is centrally managed by the new process computer 1b. There is. The predetermined transfer destination of the input data is the newly installed process computer 1b. The CPU 51 in the station 5b reads the input data written in the data memory 52 in the order of address arrangement, and sends it to the transmission link 5a connected to the station 5e in the subsequent stage.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the CPU 51 in the station 5e transmits the input data sent by the station 5b in the preceding stage onto the data link 5a to the transmission link 5a.
The data is received from above, and is written in the data memory 52 while updating the write address. C in the temporary processor 6
The PU 61 reads the input data assigned to the new process computer 1b as the transfer destination from the address on the data memory 52 via the CPU 51 in the station 5e, and the read input data is read from the data memory 52 via the CPU 51. The existing process computer 1a above is written (copied) in the address assigned as the transfer destination. The CPU 51 in the station 5b reads the data including the input data copied by the provisionally installed processor 6 from the data memory 52 in the order of address arrangement, and sends the data to the transmission link 5a connected to the station 5d in the subsequent stage.

The station 5d writes the input data transferred from the preceding station 5e while updating the address of the built-in data memory 51, and when this series of writing is completed, the written input data from the data memory 52 is written. Is read out and sent to the data link 5a connected to the station 5c in the subsequent stage. The new process computer 1b receives the input data output from the external device group 3 by reading the data written in the specific address on the data memory 52 via the CPU 51 in the station 5d. To process.

The input / output device 2c reads the input data having the existing process computer 1a copied by the provisionally installed processor 6 as a transfer destination from the predetermined address of the data memory 52 via the CPU 51 in the station 5c. To the input / output signal line group 4c. The input data output on the input / output signal line group 4c is transferred to the existing process computer 1a via the input / output device 2a and processed.

Next, the old and new process computers 1
A process of transferring output data from each of a and 1b to the external device 3 will be described. The input / output device 2c always outputs the output data transferred from the existing process computer 1a to the dataway 5 regardless of whether the provisionally installed processor 6 is connected to the dataway 5 or not. Set to the first fictitious device that is not connected.
The first fictitious device may be the processor 6. In addition, the operator of this control system is
While the provisionally installed processor 6 is connected to the second way, the transfer destination of the output data from the newly installed process computer 1b is not actually connected to the dataway 5.
Change to a fictitious device.

The provisionally installed processor 6 includes the first and second fictitious devices, which are the transfer destinations, and the actual input / output device 2b.
The address on the data memory 52 in the station 5e corresponding to each of the above is managed. Further, the operator of this control system inputs in advance from the input / output device 62 the CPU 61 from the input / output device 62 a transfer selection command as to which output data from the existing process computer 1a or the new process computer 1b is actually transferred to the external device 3. I'll do it.

First, the output data from the existing process computer 1a is transferred to the external device 3 by the transfer selection command.
The operation when the transfer is instructed will be described. The input / output device 2c is the existing process computer 1
The output data transferred from a is written in the data memory via the CPU in the station 5c with the first imaginary device not actually connected to the dataway 5 as the transfer destination. In addition, the newly installed process computer 1b
Writes the output data to the data memory via the CPU in the station 5d with the second imaginary device not actually connected to the data way 5 as the transfer destination.

According to the transfer selection command, the provisionally installed processor 6 transfers the first virtual one of the output data transferred counterclockwise on the transmission link 5a and written in the data memory in the station 5e. What is read from the address corresponding to the transfer destination of the device is written (copied) to the address where the input / output device 2b is the transfer destination. The input / output device 2b reads the output data copied by the provisionally installed processor 6 with the own device as a transfer destination from the data memory 52 of the station 5b, and outputs the output port group of the input / output port group 23 via the multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 22. Output to. This output data is output to the actuator or the like of the external device group 3 via the input / output signal line group 4b. The reading and writing from the data memory in the station is performed via the CPU 51 in the station.

Next, the output data from the newly installed process computer 1b is transferred to the external device 3 by the transfer selection command.
The operation when the transfer is instructed will be described. According to the transfer selection command, the provisionally installed processor 6 transfers the second virtual device among the output data transferred in the counterclockwise direction on the transmission link 5a and written in the data memory in the station 5e. What is read from the corresponding address first is written (copied) to the address to which the input / output device 2b is the transfer destination. The input / output device 2b reads the output data copied by the provisionally installed processor 6 with its own device as the transfer destination from the data memory 52 of the station 5b, and inputs / outputs the input / output port group 2 via the multiplexing / separating circuit 22.
3 to the output port group. This output data is output to the actuator or the like of the external device group 3 via the input / output signal line group 4b.

When the updating of the process computer is completed, the input / output device 2c, the input / output signal group line 4c, which are connected to the data way 5 via the station 5c,
The existing process computer 1 together with the input / output device 2a
a is removed from this control system. Regarding the provisionally installed processor 6, it is possible to keep it in the operating state even after the completion of the update of the process computer while giving the selection command for selecting the output data from the newly installed process computer 1b. Further, in the case of removing the provisionally installed processor 6 from the dataway 5 for the purpose of diversion to another purpose, prior to this removal,
The transfer destination of the output data from the newly installed process computer 1b is from the second virtual device to the real input / output device 2b.
Is changed to.

[0030]

As described in detail above, according to the process computer updating method of the present invention, the electric power
It is based on the software processing that one of the input / output data transferred between the external equipment group such as instrumentation equipment and the old and new process computers is generated by copying, so the temporary installation circuit for updating is used for a long time. However, the reliability does not decrease.

Further, the number of times of changing the connection of the signal line group is reduced by one as compared with the conventional hardware processing of inserting a signal amplification circuit to generate one of the input and output data, and the probability of occurrence of connection error is accordingly reduced. Will be reduced.

There is also an advantage that the temporary installation part such as the temporary installation processor removed after the completion of the update can be used for the update of another process control system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a process control system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an input / output device 2b and a station 5b of FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a processor 6 and a station 5e which are temporarily installed in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a Existing process computer 1b New process computer 2a, 2b, 2c I / O device 3 External device group 4a, 4b, 4c Signal line group 5 Dataway 5a Dataway line 5b to 5e Station 6 Temporary processor

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A method for updating an existing process computer connected to an external device group via an input / output device and an input / output signal line group to a new process computer, wherein A dataway is connected through an input / output device, and a new process computer and a temporary processor are connected to this dataway, and the temporary processor is transferred from the external device group to the new process computer. Received input data via the data way, copy it and output it to the data way by using the existing process computer as a transfer destination, and output from one of the new process computer and the existing process computer. The selected control data according to a selection command input from the outside, and the external device group Is output to the data way as a transfer destination.