Root cause analysis of failure to meet communication requirements in a process control system

US10505786B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ABB Schweiz AG · CH

Inventors

• Dirk Schulz · Meckenheim, DE
• Stefan Bollmeyer · Minden, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 3, 2015
• Grant date: Dec 10, 2019
• Expiry date: Jan 12, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P90/02
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for locating a possible root cause of system discrepancy in a process control system uses a system model including software representations of process control endpoint devices interconnected via a communication network using a number of links, where each link is provided for communication in relation to a process control function between two endpoint devices and includes a set of communication network elements and a reference to a set of communication parameters of the process control function. In the method an indication that at least one communication parameter deviates from a communication requirement is obtained, a link where reference is made to the communication parameter identified, communication network elements contributing to the functioning of the link identified and at least one of the communication network elements indicated as a possible cause of the deviation.