Method for a distributed control system

Abstract

In an arrangement, functions and/or structures in a distributed control system ( 24 ) that works with a first protocol ( 28 ) are analysed and/or monitored. A first unit ( 23 ) is connected or can be connected to the control system, which first unit, due to its compatibility with the first protocol, receives and/or sends task instructions concerning the functions and/or structures. The first unit comprises or is connected to a second ( 22 ) and transforms at least those parts in the first protocol that relate to the task instructions concerning the functions and/or structures into a second protocol, by means of which the said tasks can be initiated and/or carried out in a tool arrangement ( 1 ) that is comprised in or can be connected to the second unit. This tool arrangement works with the second protocol, whereby primary readings and/or modifications in the first protocol on the basis of the analysis and/or monitoring can be carried out by means of secondary readings and/or modifications in the second protocol. The analysis and monitoring are simplified and tools and protocol-handling can be separated. In addition, time functions in the system(s) can be made unambiguous.

1 . A method for at least one of analyzing, simulating and monitoring functions and/or structures of a distributed control system, comprising:
 connecting at least one first unit ( 23 ) to the distributed control system;   connecting a second unit ( 22 ) to the distributed control system;   at least one of receiving and sending task instructions at the first unit concerning at least one of the functions and structures of the distributed control system;   transforming at least those parts of the task instructions in a first protocol and concerning the second unit ( 22 ) to task instructions in a second protocol;   wherein primary readings and/or modifications in the first protocol on the basis of the at least one of analyzing, simulating and monitoring can be carried out by means of secondary readings and/or modifications in the second protocol.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first unit ( 23 ,  26 ) is connected to the distributed control system via contacts ( 5 ′,  6 ′,  6 ″), and
 the second unit ( 22 ) is connected to the first unit ( 23 ) and to a tool arrangement for interacting with a user and further comprising:   carrying out calculation, simulation and/or analysis tasks with a first computer ( 21 );   configuring a second computer connected to the first computer, wherein the second computer is adapted to carry out at least some of the tasks of the first computer;   communicating with the tool arrangement, with the second unit, by means of the second protocol ( 28 ) or a third protocol ( 29 ), which by readings and/or modifications in the first protocol and in the first and second protocols, respectively, can carry out the readings and/or modifications in a same way in the second and third protocols, respectively,   wherein the at least one first unit ( 23 ,  26 ) further comprises at least one microprocessor which communicates partly with the distributed control system by means of a connection, a protocol and a bit speed valid for the distributed control system, and communicates with the second unit ( 22 ),   wherein the second unit ( 22 ) is equipped with at least one microprocessor adapted to communicate and exchange information with the at least one first unit and the tool arrangement, and   wherein primary readings and/or modifications in the first protocol on the basis of at least one of analyzing, simulating and monitoring can be carried out by means of secondary readings and/or modifications in the second protocol.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second protocol is developed to serve as a common platform for the analysis tasks of two or more systems with different protocols. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the second unit ( 22 ) provides a common time base for units working in parallel. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one first unit ( 23 ,  26 ) is arranged for independent collection, processing and saving of information from the distributed control system and in that the information generated in this way is arranged to be able to be read and/or interpreted via information generated by the second unit ( 22 ). 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein second parts of task instructions downloaded or transferred from the first computer ( 21 ) can be allocated for use in second computer units in different systems. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein during interaction between the first computer and the user, rules are generated for automatic repetition, and the rules are further modified for a second computer with regard to the collected information and presentation of results of the analyzing task. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the tool arrangement is adapted with a connection arrangement adapted to communicate with one or more of the microprocessors via serial or wireless communication. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the first or second unit is adapted to communicate via a serial communication in one direction and with a microprocessor ( 4 ) via a serial communication towards the other direction and to work with a reduced interface toward users. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the first or second unit communicates with one or more units via a serial communication by means of the at least one microprocessor and works with a reduced interface toward at least one user, carries out processing of signals from an other unit according to rules attained from the other unit, and comprises a number of units having microprocessors which communicate with serial communication. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to of  claim 8 , wherein the communication is by at least one of USB, Bluetooth and Ethernet. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the serial communication is by at least one of CAN and LIN and the reduced interface is at least one of light diodes and summers. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the serial communication is by at least one of CAN and LIN and the reduced interface is at least one of light diodes and summers. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the units further comprise a local clock which respectively is adjusted or related to a clock in the other unit.