JPH09330280A - Diagnostic information recording device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: It is possible to obtain sufficient information necessary for failure analysis from the module itself, which is a microprocessor subsystem, and to quickly solve a problem when a trouble occurs. A microprocessor (c1, c)
2), in which the self-diagnosis is performed and the diagnostic record (m1) is stored in a system including a group of devices,
A diagnostic in any one device (115) that communicates with at least one other device (111) in the device group and collects diagnostic records (m2) of the other device stored in the other device. A diagnostic information recording device comprising record collecting means (c1, p12) and a non-volatile storage means (m) for storing its own diagnostic records and diagnostic records of other devices.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a diagnostic information recording apparatus and method for recording diagnostic information in a microprocessor subsystem or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A supervisory control device used in various fields such as general industry and public-related plants and fields such as building management is composed of stations having various roles (hereinafter referred to as stations) connected by a control network. There is.

The various roles referred to herein include, for example, monitoring of plant operating conditions by operators, remote control by operators manually, control of each process, and protocol conversion for coupling with other systems. Further, various stations are usually composed of control cards (modules) that share and handle various functions.

Such an entire system is a collection of many microprocessor subsystems. As shown in FIG. 4, each microprocessor performs self-diagnosis within the range of its own monitoring ability.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a conventional recording operation of diagnostic information. In the figure, for example, a module 215 that manages communication with a lower system via a transmission path ee.
Inside this, there is a microprocessor cc which controls this microprocessor subsystem, and the diagnostic record m of this module 215 by this microprocessor cc.
m is recorded in the internal storage device.

The self-diagnosis function of the entire system functions by utilizing the diagnosis result of such a microprocessor subsystem. The diagnostic result of the microprocessor subsystem is the station 21 to which the subsystem belongs.
0 to the main microprocessor system 211,
Further, it is transmitted to the monitoring station via the control network aa and displayed on the CRT display of the monitoring station as a diagnostic screen that can be understood by the operator.

That is, the diagnostic information is transmitted from the lower layer to the upper layer of the hierarchical microprocessor subsystem. By the way, system failures and operational troubles occur in unpredictable places other than due to the life of parts.

Since it is necessary to restore the system as soon as possible, a module (microprocessor subsystem) diagnosed as abnormal due to an external phenomenon is replaced with a new one. The replaced module is sent back to the factory inspection department.

[0009]

A failure analysis is performed on the returned module. At this time, in addition to the diagnostic information immediately before the abnormal state of the returned module itself, communication with the returned module is performed. If diagnostic information of other modules is available, it is often considered to be effective for failure analysis.

If the two diagnostic results match, the operating status of each module obtained from the diagnostic information can be judged to be correct, and if they do not match, it can be said that one of them is abnormal.

For example, even if an external abnormal phenomenon occurs in a certain module A and the module A is returned to the factory, in actuality, there is an abnormality in the module B having a direct relation with the module A. An abnormal phenomenon may occur in.

However, conventionally, although the upper layer module has the diagnostic information of the lower layer module, the individual modules of the lower layer have the diagnostic information of other modules, especially the upper layer module. There wasn't. In addition, diagnostic information of these lower layer modules is usually stored in a hard disk or the like provided in the system in a normal monitoring station or the like.

Therefore, it is not easy and convenient to use the diagnostic information in the hard disk in the inspection department of the factory where the replacement module is returned. The present invention has been made in consideration of such a situation, and it is possible to obtain sufficient information necessary for failure analysis from the module itself as a microprocessor subsystem, and to enable early resolution of problems when trouble occurs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a diagnostic information recording device and method.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 has a microprocessor, which executes a self-diagnosis and stores the diagnosis record. And a diagnostic record collecting means for communicating with at least one other device in the device group and collecting diagnostic records of the other device stored in the other device, And a non-volatile storage means for storing the diagnostic record of (1) and the diagnostic record of another device.

The invention according to claim 2 is the diagnostic information recording device according to the invention according to claim 1, wherein the other device includes a device that plays a role of controlling the system in the device group. is there.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the device according to claim 1, wherein the other device plays a role of communicating with another system different from the system in the device group. It is a diagnostic information recording device including.

Further, the invention corresponding to claim 4 is:
In the invention corresponding to claims 1 to 3, a volatile storage means is provided in addition to the non-volatile storage means, and a diagnostic record is stored in the volatile storage means during normal operation of a certain apparatus, and at least a certain apparatus operates. It is a diagnostic information recording device that transfers diagnostic records stored in a volatile storage unit to a nonvolatile storage unit before stopping.

On the other hand, the invention according to claim 5 is a diagnostic information recording method in a device group for executing a self-diagnosis and storing a diagnostic record thereof, wherein at least one device from among the devices in the device group is selected. It is a diagnostic information recording method of communicating with another device, collecting diagnostic records of the other device stored in the other device, and storing the diagnostic record of itself and the diagnostic record of the other device. (Operation) Therefore, in the diagnostic information recording apparatus and method of the invention according to claims 1 and 5, first, the diagnostic record collecting means communicates from one device to at least one other device in the device group. , Diagnostic records of another device stored in the other device are collected.

Next, the self-diagnosis record and the diagnosis record of the other device are stored in the non-volatile storage means. Therefore,
It is possible to obtain sufficient information necessary for failure analysis from the module itself as a microprocessor subsystem.
When a trouble occurs, it becomes possible to solve the problem early.

In addition, in the diagnostic information recording apparatus of the invention according to claim 2, other devices that operate in the same manner as the invention corresponding to claim 1 and that collect diagnostic records of other devices,
The device includes a device that plays a role of controlling the system.

Further, in the diagnostic information recording apparatus of the invention corresponding to claim 3, in addition to the same operation as the invention corresponding to claim 1, another apparatus for collecting diagnostic records of another apparatus is called the system. It is intended to include a device that serves to communicate with other different systems.

Further, in the diagnostic information recording apparatus of the invention according to claim 4, the same operation as the invention according to claims 1 to 3 is performed, and the diagnostic record is volatile during the normal operation of a certain device. The diagnostic record stored in the storage means and stored in the volatile storage means is transferred to the non-volatile storage means at least before the operation of the certain device is stopped. As a result, during normal operation, high speed operation of the certain device is ensured.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. (First Embodiment of the Invention) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system to which a diagnostic information recording apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

As shown in the figure, the control system has a hierarchical structure when viewed from the individual microprocessor subsystems. First, the control system shown in the figure includes a monitoring station 100 connected to a control network a, a control station 110, and a station 120 for sharing other functions, and a process input / output block coupled to the control station 110 via a field network e. It consists of four blocks 130.

Each of these blocks is further divided into a plurality of microprocessor subsystems according to the purpose of operation, and includes a control network a, an internal system bus b,
c, d, and field networks e, f for connecting lower layer devices. Then, each information is transmitted to the block of the other party via each network.

Explaining each block, first, in the monitoring station 100, the main control module 101, the other modules 102, the communication control module 103 and the other modules 104 are connected to the internal system bus b, and the communication control module 103. Via the control network a.

Next, the control station 110 uses the internal system bus c for the main control module 111, the other modules 112, the communication control module 113, the other modules 114 and the communication control module 1 with the subordinate equipment.
15 are connected to the control network a via the communication control module 113. Further, the control station 110 is connected to the field network e via the communication control module 115 with the lower device and further connected to the process input / output block 130.

Further, in the station 120 which shares other functions, a main control module 121, another module 122, a communication control module 123, and other modules 124 and 125 are connected to the internal system bus d, and the communication control module It is connected to the control network a via 123.

Further, the process input / output block 130 is
In the field network f, the process input / output main control module 131, the process input / output modules 136, 13
7, 138, 139 and a terminator g as a terminating resistor are connected to the field network e via the process input / output main control module 131.

An example of applying the diagnostic information recording apparatus and method according to the embodiment of the present invention to a part of the modules constituting the control station 110 in a control system composed of such a large number of microprocessor subsystems is shown in FIG. Will be explained.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a microprocessor subsystem to which the diagnostic information recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied, and schematically shows the recording operation of diagnostic information by this apparatus. Is.

The diagnostic information recording device shown in the figure is provided in a communication control module 115 for communicating with a subordinate device which is one of the microprocessor subsystems, and comprises a microprocessor c1, a storage device m and a program memory p. It is configured.

The microprocessor c1 controls the microprocessor subsystem according to the program in the program memory p, and realizes the function as the communication control module 115 with the lower system for communicating with the lower system (process input / output block 130). In addition, the diagnostic information is recorded in accordance with the provided program.

In the program memory p of FIG. 2, only the programs related to the recording of diagnostic information are shown. In the memory p, the own module diagnostic section p11, the other module diagnostic storage request communication section p12, Self-diagnosis memory transmitter p
And 13 are provided.

The microprocessor c1 diagnoses the module 115 (communication control module 115 with the subordinate device) according to its own module diagnostic section p11, and records the diagnostic record m1 in the storage device m as the diagnostic result.

Further, the microprocessor c1 requests the other module, for example, the main control module 111 to transmit the diagnostic record m2 of the other module according to the other module diagnostic storage request communication unit p12, and receives the diagnostic record m2. Is recorded in the storage device m.

The main control module 1 of this block
11 is provided with a microprocessor c2 for controlling this microprocessor subsystem, and constitutes a similar diagnostic information recording device. Then, the diagnostic record m2 of the module 111 is recorded in the internal storage device by the microprocessor c2.

Further, in this embodiment, the range for collecting the diagnostic records of the other module by the other module diagnostic storage request communication unit p12 is the microprocessor sub in the control station 110 communicated via the internal system bus c. Intended for systems.

The collection range of the diagnostic memory is determined in consideration of the balance with the capacity of the microprocessor c1 and the capacity of the memory device m. Therefore, if these hardware circumstances permit, a diagnostic record of the process input / output main control module 131 via the field network e, and further process input / output modules 136, 137, 138,
139 diagnostic records may also be collected.

Next, the microprocessor c1 sends the diagnostic record m1 from the storage device m when it is requested by another module to transmit the diagnostic record m1 of its own module in accordance with the other module diagnostic storage request communication unit p12. Read out and send to the other module. Therefore, by providing the same diagnostic information recording device in each module, diagnostic records of other modules can be mutually collected.

Each diagnostic record is stored in the non-volatile storage part of the storage device m. Next, the operation of the diagnostic information recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described by taking the operation of the module 115 as an example.

The microprocessor c1 sequentially reads out the program stored in the program memory p, repeats decoding and execution, and realizes a predetermined function. Among them, there is a function realized by a program provided in the own module diagnosis unit p11, and a function of diagnosing the module and recording the diagnosis record m1 in the internal storage device m.

The diagnostic processing mainly includes initial diagnostics executed after the module power is turned on or system initialization, and online diagnostics executed at each diagnostic timing during operation.

Particularly, in the latter online diagnosis, a diagnosis result is obtained by a periodic diagnosis in which a diagnosis program having a fixed cycle is run for diagnosis or a state diagnosis when a certain operation is completed. The result is recorded in the storage device m built in the module 115 as the diagnostic record m1.
The diagnostic memory stores each diagnostic result in time series.

These operations are executed independently for each microprocessor subsystem. In each microprocessor subsystem, its own diagnostic record is stored in the storage device built into each module.

The respective microprocessor subsystems exchange information with each other via the internal bus c or the like. However, for example, by attaching a self-diagnosis record to the response sequence of a message from each module and returning it, self-diagnosis is possible. The record can be transmitted to the other module.

The transmission of this diagnostic record is realized based on the programs provided in the other module diagnostic storage request communication unit p12 and the self diagnostic storage transmission unit p13. In addition, the diagnostic memory is sent back separately for each diagnostic event so that this response sequence does not affect the system load.

The diagnostic record of the other module thus obtained is stored in the storage device m. In the case shown in FIG. 2, there are five microprocessor subsystems in the control station 110, and diagnostic records are stored for each of these subsystems.
In addition to the diagnostic record m1 of its own module, 15 stores diagnostic records m2, m3, m4 and m5 of other modules.

As described above, in the diagnostic information storage device and method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the self-module diagnostic unit p is used.
Another module that performs self-diagnosis by 11 and communicates with its own module by the other module as a diagnostic memory collection means (not necessarily direct, but may be communication via another module). Collects the diagnostic records of the module and the diagnostic records of its own module and other modules.
Since 1 and m2 are stored and stored in the non-volatile storage device m in time series, sufficient information necessary for failure analysis can be obtained from the module itself as a microprocessor subsystem, and when trouble occurs. The problem can be solved early.

As described above, since the diagnostic information obtained by a plurality of processors can be obtained from a single module, it is possible to determine the cause of a trouble which is difficult to make a decision with only one diagnostic information by obtaining the diagnostic information obtained by a plurality of processors. , Can be more certain.

For example, only by investigating a module returned from the field that is determined to be abnormal, not only the diagnostic record of the module but also the diagnostic record of the other party showing the situation of the other party of the information communication at that time can be obtained. It is possible to make a more advanced diagnosis.

In addition, even if the initial diagnosis when a trouble occurs is mistaken and another module having no abnormality is returned to the factory inspection department, the diagnosis of the module actually causing the abnormality is made from the other module diagnosis record in the module. Records may be obtained.

Further, in the present embodiment, the diagnostic records are collected from the main control module 111, but the main control module 111 is the control station 11
Since it has a role of controlling 0, the diagnostic record m2 is particularly useful for making a diagnosis. (Second Embodiment of the Invention) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a microprocessor subsystem to which a diagnostic information recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied. 3 schematically shows the operation of transferring the diagnostic record from the volatile storage device to the non-volatile storage device.

In FIG. 3, the same parts as those in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Only different parts will be described here. In this diagnostic information recording device, the storage device m includes a volatile storage device Ma that loses recorded contents when the power is turned off, and a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory that holds the recorded contents even when the power is turned off. A device Mb is provided.

The microprocessor c1 records the diagnostic records m1, m2, etc. in the volatile storage device Ma during normal operation. This is because the write operation to the nonvolatile memory device Mb such as the flash memory takes longer than the write operation to the normal semiconductor memory device, that is, the volatile memory device Ma.

Further, the program memory p is provided with a diagnostic record storage section p14. Microprocessor c
1 transfers the diagnostic records m1 and m2 from the volatile storage device Ma to the nonvolatile storage device Mb according to the program of the diagnostic record storage unit p14.

The microprocessor c1 performs this transfer operation by utilizing the idle time of the apparatus or the time until it is stopped after detecting an abnormality. The other parts of this diagnostic information recording apparatus are configured in the same manner as in the case of the first embodiment.

Next, the transfer operation of the diagnostic record in the diagnostic information recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described. First, during normal operation, the diagnostic records m1, m2, m3 ,. . m5 is a volatile storage device Ma
It is recorded in.

Then, by the microprocessor c1,
The volatile storage device Ma to the non-volatile storage device Mb is used by utilizing the free time or the time until the abnormality is detected and the operation is stopped.
The transfer operation of the diagnostic memory to is performed.

Therefore, after the power of the module 115 is cut off, the diagnostic record m is stored in the nonvolatile memory device Mb.
1, m2, m3 ,. . m5 is stored. As described above, the diagnostic information storage device and method according to the embodiment of the present invention are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment,
A volatile storage device Ma and a non-volatile storage device Mb are provided in the storage device m, and the diagnostic records m1 and m2 are stored in the volatile storage device Ma that can be accessed at high speed during normal operation until the power supply of the module is stopped. In addition, since the diagnostic recording contents are transferred to the non-volatile storage device Mb,
Diagnostic records can be collected quickly, the load on each module can be reduced and the effect on its original function can be minimized, and further, the collected results should be retained even when the power supply is lost. Therefore, the same effects as those of the diagnostic information storage device and method according to the first embodiment can be obtained.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the communication control module 115 with a lower device is described as an example to which the present invention is applied, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the main control module. , And can be similarly applied to other modules.

Further, for example, when the present invention is applied to another module and, for example, the diagnostic record m1 of the communication control module 115 with the subordinate device is collected, the communication control module 115 concerned does not operate in another system, that is, a process. Since the diagnostic record m1 has a role of communicating with the input / output block 130, the diagnostic record m1 is particularly useful for making a diagnosis. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

[0063]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the diagnostic information of other modules is also recorded.
It is possible to obtain sufficient information necessary for failure analysis from the module itself as a microprocessor subsystem.
It is possible to provide a diagnostic information recording device and method capable of early resolution of a problem when a trouble occurs.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a control system to which a diagnostic information recording device and method according to an embodiment of the present invention are applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a microprocessor subsystem to which the diagnostic information recording device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a microprocessor subsystem to which a diagnostic information recording device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a conventional recording operation of diagnostic information.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 ... Monitoring station 101 ... Main control module 102, 104 ... Other module 103 ... Communication control module 110 ... Control station 111 ... Main control module 112, 114 ... Other module 113 ... Communication control module 115 ... Communication control with subordinate device Module 120 ... Station sharing other functions 121 ... Main control module 122,124,125 ... Other module 123 ... Communication control module 130 ... Process input / output block 131 ... Process input / output main control module 136,137,138,139 ... process input / output module a ... control network b, c, d ... internal system bus c1 ... built-in microprocessor c2 ... other module microprocessor e, f ... field net Over click g ... Terminators m ... memory m1 ... module self recording m @ 2 ... diagnosis record Ma ... volatile storage Mb ... nonvolatile memory device of another module

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A certain device in a system comprising a group of devices each of which has a microprocessor and performs a self-diagnosis and stores the diagnostic record, wherein at least one of the group of devices is provided. Communicate with other devices,
A diagnostic record collecting unit that collects a diagnostic record of another device stored in the other device; and a non-volatile storage unit that stores the diagnostic record of itself and the diagnostic record of the other device. Diagnostic information recording device. 2. The diagnostic information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other apparatus includes an apparatus that plays a role of controlling the system in the apparatus group. 3. The other device, in the device group,
The diagnostic information recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a device that plays a role of communicating with another system different from the system. 4. A volatile storage means is provided separately from the non-volatile storage means, and a diagnostic record is stored in the volatile storage means during normal operation of the certain device, and at least the certain device stops operating. 4. The diagnostic information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diagnostic record stored in the volatile storage means is transferred to the non-volatile storage means. 5. A diagnostic information recording method in a device group for performing a self-diagnosis and storing the diagnostic record, wherein a device in the device group communicates with at least one other device, A diagnostic information recording method, comprising collecting diagnostic records of another device stored in another device, and storing the diagnostic record of itself and the diagnostic record of the other device.