WO2015018429A1

WO2015018429A1 - Generation of a data record for an electrical automation device

Info

Publication number: WO2015018429A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/066378
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreas Jurisch
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2013-08-05
Filing date: 2013-08-05
Publication date: 2015-02-12

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for generating a data record which comprises functional components, wherein the functional components specify device functions of an electrical automation device (10) and prompt a computing unit of the automation device (10) to execute the corresponding device functions, and wherein functional components are selected and combined into a data record by means of a parameterization unit according to a desired scope of device functions of the automation device (10) and the data record is provided for transmission. In order to further develop a method of the type specified above such that the reliable operation of an automation device (10) can be guaranteed after the installation of additional device functions without requiring additional device tests, according to the invention a utilization of the computing unit of the automation device (10) is identified, a utilization parameter specifying the utilization of the computing unit is generated for the data record, the utilization parameter is compared to a utilization threshold value of the computing unit and an error signal is generated if the utilization parameter exceeds the utilization threshold value. The invention also relates to a corresponding parameterization unit.

Description

description

Generating a data record for an electrical automation device

The invention relates to a method for generating a data record which comprises function blocks, the function blocks indicating device functions of an electrical automation device and causing a computing device of the automation device to execute the corresponding device functions, and wherein with a parameterization device corresponding to a desired scope of device functions of Automation device function blocks are selected, the function blocks are combined to form a record and the record is provided for transmission to the automation device.

The invention also relates to a corresponding parameterizing device for generating such a data record.

Electrical automation devices, such as electrical measuring, protection or field control devices of the energy automation technology, usually have computing facilities, with the help of a device installed in a memory of the automation device device software is executed.

The device software defines the respective device functions of such an automation device.

If, for example, an electrical protection device, in particular a distance protection device, is assumed as the electrical automation device, instructions relating to the distance protection functions of the automation device and communication instructions may be included in the device software, for example. An exact definition of the functions of the Automation device is thus already made by the user of the automation device at the time of ordering the automation device at its manufacturer. Many electrical automation devices, especially in the field of protection and bay controllers, are still developed by the manufacturer with a device-related software package holistic and must be fully tested for accuracy and reliability of all functions. Such a procedure comes with a considerable cost and

Time required and must be performed again at any deviation of the device software from a previous state. As a result, manufacturers of automation devices have increasingly switched to providing automation devices with a proportion of fixed device functions, to which additional device functions can be flexibly added. Such additional device functions are usually represented by independent function blocks formulated as software, in the execution of which the computing device is caused to carry out the desired additional device function. The type and number of function blocks can often be selected on the user side from a predefined supply, for example a function library of an editor of a parameterization device for the automation device. The parameterization device then summarizes if necessary several function blocks to form a data record and makes this available for transmission to the computing device of the automation device. A method of the type mentioned is known for example from European Patent EP 1595185 Bl. In addition, international patent application WO 2008/128487 A1 describes an editor with which user-specific function blocks for an electrical measuring or protective device can be generated.

High demands are placed on the reliability and safety of the execution of the device functions on electrical automation devices, in particular those which are used in the field of automation of power engineering plants. Such requirements also relate in particular to the so-called "real-time capability" of the automation devices, ie their ability to respond to any requirements, for example the occurrence of a fault in a power supply network, within a given reaction time.

The user-side provision of additional device functions in the automation device means that its computing device is correspondingly more heavily utilized. Although today's automation devices are delivered with relatively powerful computing devices, it may happen that by selecting too many or too compute-intensive additional device functions, the computing device is utilized beyond its limits, so that the execution of the device functions can be slowed down and in the worst case even individual device functions completely can fail. Therefore, after installation of additional device functions, usually the automation devices must again undergo intensive device tests in order to check whether their reliable operation is still ensured or whether, for example by reducing the selection of additional device functions. or by providing a more powerful computing device - must be remedied. Such device tests are again expensive and time consuming. The invention is therefore based on the object of developing a method and a parameterization device of the type specified in the introduction such that the reliable operation of an automation device after the installation of additional device functions can be ensured without the need for additional device tests.

To solve the problem in terms of the method, a method of the type mentioned is proposed in which a utilization of the computing device of the Automatisierungsge- device is determined, which is generated by the execution of the function blocks contained in the data set by the computing device for the record a the Utilization of the computing device indicating load factor is generated, the load factor is compared with a utilization threshold value of the computing device and an error signal is generated when the load factor exceeds the load threshold.

In the method according to the invention, therefore, it is already checked at the time of configuration of the device functions whether the computing device can perform the desired range of functions without adversely affecting other device functions. On the one hand, the utilization determined by the additional device functions with regard to the computing device is determined and, on the other hand, the "utilization reserve" of the computing device is determined by comparison with a utilization threshold affected total outlet tion of the computing device, the additional device functions can be released for execution by the computing device. In an advantageous manner, therefore, it is possible to determine in advance of the device configuration with additional device functions whether the computing device is even capable of executing the desired new scope of functions.

An advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that a warning message is output to a user of the parameterization device when the error signal is present.

As a result, the user of the parameterization device can be made directly aware of the violation of the utilization threshold value and adapt his selection of additional device functions accordingly.

In addition, according to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, provision can be made for a transmission of the data record from the parameterization device to the automation device to be blocked if the error signal is present. According to this embodiment, it can be ensured that a data set that overburdens the computing device with functional functions indicating device functions can not be transmitted to the computing device at all. According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is additionally provided that each function module comprises an individual utilization information which indicates a utilization of the computing device which is generated when the function module in question is executed. is generated and the utilization factor is determined on the basis of the utilization information of the function modules contained in the data record. According to this embodiment, each function module is thus assigned an individual utilization information that has been determined, for example, by a one-time test of the device function specified by the respective function module on a reference automation device. Such utilization information may, for example, be contained in the metadata of a function module and be readable by the parameterization device. By taking into account all individual utilization information of the respective function blocks contained in the data record, the parameterization device can determine the utilization characteristic value of the entire data record.

A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the utilization characteristic value indicates a utilization of the computing device relative to the total computing power of the computing device, and the utilization threshold value indicates a maximum utilization of the computing device that is provided for executing the function modules.

The utilization of the computing device based on the computing power of the computing device can be specified, for example in the form of a so-called CPU load in percent. In this case, the CPU load can be determined, for example, such that the time is determined that a device function specified by a specific function module would have to be executed in order to generate a 100 percent utilization of the computing device. This time is then related to the usual amount of time during which the device function actually is executed (eg a time that is granted to the special device function during execution of a functional cycle of the device software of the programmable controller). In this case, the utilization threshold value can be a percentage value that indicates the proportion of the computing power of the computing device that is reserved for the execution of additional device functions.

As an alternative to the last-mentioned embodiment, according to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it can also be provided that the utilization characteristic value indicates a period of time which the computing device needs to execute the function modules and the utilization threshold indicates a maximum reaction time in which the computing device executes the function modules must have completed.

In this embodiment, the utilization reserve of the computing device can also be determined by comparing two time-related values, namely the time required to execute the function blocks and the maximum response time of the computing device. If the maximum response time is not yet exhausted, ie, the time duration determined for the execution of the function blocks is below the maximum response time, reliable operation of the computing device can be ensured. The duration of execution of the function blocks can be determined, for example for each function block individually by a single test on a reference -Automatisierungsgerät, the maximum response time results from requirements that are made to the actual programmable controller (eg maximum time to detect a short circuit in a power grid) , A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention also provides in this context that the time duration and the maximum reaction time are determined as quantities dependent on a reference computing device; and to adapt to the computing device of the programmable controller, these quantities are multiplied by a specific adaptation factor for the computing device.

This embodiment has the advantage that the computing power (eg the CPU clock rates) of a computing device of a reference automation device and of an automation device actually provided for executing the function module do not necessarily have to match. The time duration for executing a function module and the maximum reaction time can be used, for example, in the form of a standard time "ticks", wherein, for example, it can be defined that an execution of a function module on a reference computer device (eg a 266 MHz CPU) takes place over one second At 100% utilization, it takes 10 ⁶ ticks Each function block is then assigned a number of ticks with reference to the reference calculation device, which can be converted into a "real" period of time depending on the computing power of the computing device of the automation device actually used.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the function blocks are assigned to different functional groups of the automation device, each function group summarizing such device functions, the same or similar requirements in terms of priority of their execution by the computing device and each function group is a priority level assigned, and the output load characteristic and the utilization threshold for each function group are determined individually.

This embodiment takes into account the fact that in automation technology there are device functions that have to be processed with different priorities and different reaction time requirements. For example, while protection functions in an electrical equipment protection monitoring device must be performed with high priority and very quickly, general analysis and archiving functions as well as lower priority reporting functions can be performed more slowly or with a time delay. Therefore, those function blocks that specify device functions that must be executed with the same or a similar priority, summarized in so-called function groups and performed the procedure described when comparing a load factor with a utilization threshold per function group. By a suitable selection of utilization threshold values for each function group, it is thus possible to ensure that sufficient computing power of the automation device is always reserved for the execution of high-priority device functions. It is also considered to be particularly advantageous if the

Utilization factor is determined for a respective function group depending on the respective utilization characteristic value of such function groups, which are superior in terms of their priority level of the function group in question.

It can thus be advantageously achieved that reserves which are not required for the execution of function blocks in higher function groups with regard to the priority level are connected to the functional group lower in function. be passed on. On the one hand, this makes it possible, on the one hand, to respond flexibly to the respective utilization situation within the functional groups, while, on the other hand, it is furthermore ensured that functional groups of a higher priority level receive preferably computing power.

The utilization threshold values can be predefined per function group, for example. With regard to the determination of the utilization threshold value, it is also advantageous if the utilization threshold value is determined taking into account device functions permanently predetermined in a device software of the automation device.

In this embodiment, therefore, a load of the computing device of the automation device is first determined, which is already reserved for the execution of fixed predetermined device functions. Such permanently predefined device functions can be, for example, an operating system, basic communication functions, measured value processing of the basic measured values, display and diagnostic functions as well as possibly predefined main functions of the automation device, e.g. a basic protection function for monitoring a power plant include. The remaining computing power can then be made available for additional device functions, with the function blocks corresponding to such additional device functions being operated in accordance with the manner explained above.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, provision is made for function modules to specify prefabricated protective or process control device functions or to be individually composed of a plurality of individual function modules by a user of the parameterization device. Prefabricated protection or process control functions can, for example, be offered by the manufacturer of a protective device or a control technology device for the automation of power supply networks as optionally purchasable function blocks. Thus, the operator of such an automation device has the ability to adapt by additional device functions, the scope of his automation device to his needs. Such function blocks have been appropriately tested by the manufacturer and provide a way to determine a load factor (for example, by including load information in their metadata). Alternatively or additionally, the operator of the programmable controller often also has the option of using an editor of individual basic functions (eg, data input, data processing functions, threshold value comparison, delay function, signal output) to generate an individual composite function module in a user-defined manner. The basic single-function blocks are often provided by the parameterization and need only be selected by the user and connected to each other in the desired manner. In this context, it can be concretely provided, for example, that for composite function modules, each individual function module contains a single utilization information that indicates a utilization of the computing device that is generated during the execution of the individual function module in question, a utilization information of the composite function module, indicating a utilization of the computing device that is generated during the execution of the complex function block in question, on the basis of which single utilization information is determined, and the utilization characteristic value is determined taking into account the utilization information of the composite function block.

In this way, the manufacturer of the individual function blocks can already provide these individual function blocks with information about which utilization will generate their execution in the computing device. From this, then, e.g. By simply adding the information for the individual function blocks, a corresponding information for the respective composite function block can be determined, which in turn forms the basis for determining the utilization characteristic value of a data set comprising the composite function block. The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a parameterization device for generating a data record which comprises functional modules, wherein the function modules specify device functions of an electrical automation device and cause a computing device of the automation device to execute the corresponding device functions. According to the invention, it is provided that the parameterization device is set up to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims 1-12. With regard to the advantages, reference is made to the description of the method according to the invention.

With regard to the parameterization device, it can also be provided that it is formed by a separate data processing device, for example a PC or a laptop, on which a corresponding parameterization software is executed. Alternatively, however, it may also be provided that the parameterization device is part of the automation device. The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment. Show this

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an electrical automation device with a parameterization device connected thereto; and

Figure 2 is a diagram for exemplary explanation of

Defining utilization characteristics for several function groups.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an automation device 10, which is an example of an electrical protection device for monitoring an electrical system, e.g. an energy supply network can act. The automation device 10 is connected via electrical connections 11

Connected to transducers, the measuring signals, such as current and / or voltage signals, from a not shown in the figure 1 system, eg a power supply network, to the automation device 10 transmit. The automation device 10 is also connected via a (wired or wireless) communication link 12 to a communication network of an automation system, not shown, and is about, for example, with appropriately constructed other automation devices or hierarchical parent devices (eg, a station or network control center) in connection. In addition, the automation device may have a display device 13 (eg, a display) and / or input means 14 (eg, a keypad). The automation device 10 is configured to perform one or more device functions for automation of the system. In this case, the automation device 10 initially has fixed device functions which are implemented, for example, in a device software and are executed by means of a computing device, eg a CPU, of the automation device 10. Such fixed predetermined device functions have already been stored by the manufacturer of the automation device 10 in the form of the device software in a memory of the automation device 10 and subjected to extensive testing to check a reliable operation of the automation device 10 in a variety of load situations. The automation device 10 is thus tested in a basic scope and reliably operable. The fixed device functions include, for example, an operating system of the automation device with all the necessary modules for controlling the device periphery, for example for controlling the display device 13 and the input means 14, basic measured value acquisition and processing functions, a basic communication function and one or more main automation functions , in the case of an electrical protection device eg a main protection function (eg a distance protection function).

In order to be able to provide the operator of the automation device 10 with a range of functions that can be adapted as flexibly as possible to his needs, the automation device 10 is set up with its computing device to execute further device functions that can be selected by the operator of the automation device 10 in addition to the fixed device functions. For this purpose, a parameterization device 15 is provided, which is set up to change the configuration of the automation device 10. in the Example of Figure 1, the parameterization 15 is shown as a separate data processing device (eg, PC, laptop), which is on a corresponding parameterization software, such as the software DIGSI Siemens AG, upgraded to make configuration changes to the automation device 10. Alternatively, the parameterizing device 15 can also be a device integrated in the automation device 10, which device can be operated via the display device 13 and the input device 14.

By means of the parameterization device 15, a data record can be generated which comprises function blocks which in each case indicate a desired further device function for the automation device 10 in the form of a software code. For this purpose, the selected function blocks are combined by the parameterization device 15 in the data record, which is then provided for transmission to the automation device 10. For this purpose, parameterization device 15 and automation device 10 can be connected to each other via a data connection 16, which can be wired or wireless. After the transmission of the data set to the automation device 10, the function blocks contained in the data set are taken over as additional components in the device software of the automation device 10 and executed by the computing device, whereby the functionality of the automation device 10 is changed according to the specifications of the user of the parameterization 15. When creating the data set, however, it must be checked that the computing device of the automation device 10, which provides a specific computing capacity, is not overloaded by the additional execution of the further function blocks. An overload situation would do so cause some or all device functions to be slowed down, or even device functions to fail. Particularly in the case of time-critical device functions, ie device functions which have to be executed under strict real-time conditions and which must react within a given reaction time to a change in a system state of the automated system, an overload situation of the computing device can not be tolerated. However, in order not to have to carry out again time-consuming and costly device test after each change of the device configuration in order to determine whether the computing device can perform the new scope of device functions without negative impact, a check is already made in the parameterization 15, whether the required computing power , which is needed to execute the function blocks contained in the data set, will lead to an overload of the computing device of the programmable controller 10. Concretely, the parameterizing device 15 on the one hand determines a utilization characteristic value which indicates the utilization of the computing device by the execution of the function blocks contained in the data record. On the other hand, the parameterization device 15 determines a utilization threshold value that indicates which computing capacity reserve the computing device can actually make available for executing the function modules in the data record. If the utilization parameter exceeds the utilization threshold value, an error signal is generated by the parameterizing device 15, which can be displayed, for example, to the user of the parameterization device 15 in the form of a warning message (optical and / or acoustic) and / or to block the transmission of the data record to the automation device 10 can be used. In this way it can be ensured that only such data records with additional function modules generated and transmitted to the automation device 10, in which a reliable operation of the computing device can be ensured. For example, a load factor can be expressed as a percentage of a CPU load. For this purpose, for example, for each individual function block, an individual utilization information can be stored, which indicates which utilization of the computing device is generated by the execution of the respective function block. The respective utilization information can be determined, for example, by a single test on a reference automation device and stored in the metadata of the respective function module. The individual utilization information of the function modules can then be summarized to the utilization characteristic value. At different computing power of the reference -Automatisierungsgerätes and the computing device of the actually used automation device 10, the utilization threshold value in a suitable manner - for example, by a taking into account the respective clock rates of the two computing devices formed correction factor - to be converted. If the load factor is specified in this way, the load threshold value must also be specified in the form of a CPU load. If, for example, it is known which CPU load is already required by the device functions permanently predefined in the device software of the automation device, then the remaining part-possibly less a safety margin-can be determined as the CPU load reserved for the execution of additional function blocks and used as the utilization threshold value become. Alternatively, the utilization characteristic value can also be specified in the form of a time duration which the computing device requires to execute the respective function module. This time period can also be determined by means of a reference automation device and stored as individual load information in the metadata of the respective function block. The utilization characteristic of the data record can then be determined from the utilization information of the respective function modules. Also in this case, with a different computing power of the computing device of the reference automation device and the actually used automation devices 10 (eg at different clock rates), a corresponding conversion of the utilization characteristic value is to be carried out.

Accordingly, in this case, the utilization threshold value is also to be indicated in the form of a time, namely as the maximum reaction time, which may elapse until the execution of the function modules must be completed.

The time unit for the utilization factor and the utilization threshold value can be selected in this case in the form of seconds or milliseconds. However, it is also advisable to select a reference time unit "ticks", which can be easily adapted to other computing devices, based on a reference computer device (eg a 266 MHz CPU), as will be explained in more detail below by means of an example The function blocks can be selected by the user of the parameterization device from, for example, a number of predefined function blocks, such function blocks being often offered by the manufacturer of the automation device as expansion blocks It is also possible to use the parameterization device to generate function blocks based on single-function modules using an editor, eg with a so-called CFC editor (CFC - "Continuous Function Chart") An example of an editor for generating such composite function blocks is the already mentioned at the beginning

WO 2008/128487 AI known. In the case of a composite function block, each of the individual function modules is assigned an individual single load information. The utilization information of the composite function block in question is then determined from the individual utilization information of all single function modules forming a composite function module. Usually, not all device functions apply to one

Automation device equally strict real-time requirements. In one embodiment of an automation device 10, therefore, the device functions may advantageously be assigned to different function groups, such device functions always being grouped together in one function group, which set the same or similar requirements with regard to the priority of their execution and / or their reaction time to be maintained by the computing device. Each of these functional groups is assigned a different priority level, so that an order of the functional groups with respect to their respective priority level can be formed. In any case, those device functions that are grouped together in the highest-priority function group must be executed within the shortest possible time and without interruption by other device functions. Such device functions relate, for example, the main protection function of an electrical protection device. For device functions that are grouped into function groups that are lower in priority, slower processing is allowed. If necessary, interruptions of the execution can also be tolerated if device functions must first be executed in higher-priority function groups. In this embodiment, the additional function blocks are also assigned to the respective function groups, and the utilization characteristic value and the utilization threshold value are determined for each of the function groups. In this way, it can be achieved that important device functions, with regard to which a delay or suspension can not be tolerated, are always executed with the required computing power, while less basic device functions with a lower priority are executed. In order to always be able to distribute the available reserve of computing power flexibly to the different function groups, it can be provided that the respective utilization characteristic value of a function group depends on the utilization characteristics of the function modules in the superordinate function groups. In this way unused power reserves in the respective function group can advantageously be forwarded to the function group subordinate in each case with respect to their priority level. FIG. 2 shows an example of the testing of a utilization of a computing device of an automation device for individual functional groups.

2 shows a diagram in which the execution of functional modules is listed by way of example in three functional groups. The time axis is scaled in the unit "ticks", which refers to a reference calculator. For this purpose, it is assumed by way of example that the execution of a function block on a reference computer device with a clock rate of 266 MHz at 100% CPU load during a period of 1 second should correspond to a number of 10 ⁶ ticks. In other words, the execution of a function block on this reference computing device takes one tick per microsecond. Of course, it is possible to select any arbitrary computing device (even with clock rates other than 266 MHz) as a reference. If the computing device of the automation device actually used uses a clock rate deviating from the reference computing device, the number of ticks can be adapted to the computing device in question by means of a conversion factor taking into account the two clock rates. The advantage of such a reference time unit lies in the fact that all the functional components can be assigned comparable utilization information, which is related to a common reference calculation unit and can easily be converted into one another via the conversion factor. The diagram in FIG. 2 is already adapted to the specific computing device of the automation device actually used.

FIG. 2 shows the time sequence of the execution of function blocks in three function groups 20a-c, wherein each function group is assigned a different priority level. As indicated by an arrow 21, the priority level in the diagram increases from bottom to top. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 2, at the highest priority level (in function group 20a), a function block 22 (eg, an important main protection function of a protection device) is executed in cyclic execution mode. At the lowest priority level (in function group 20c), another function block 23 (eg, a comparatively less basic reporting function) is also executed in cyclic execution mode. In the intervening function group 20b of medium priority level, an event-controlled device function (eg, a message function controlled by a short circuit) is executed by processing a function block 24 in an acyclic manner.

As can be seen from the diagram, the function blocks 22 and 23 are executed undisturbed in the first two calculation cycles of the computing device. The one in the top one

Function block 20a executed function block 22 each requires a computing cycle, the full power of the computing device and leaves between two execution cycles a complete cycle reserve, which can be passed on to other function groups. This allows a processing of the function module 23 in each unused computing cycles. As can be easily seen from FIG. 2, after execution of the function module 23 in the lowermost function group, there still remains a computing power reserve which could possibly be passed on to subordinate function groups (not shown in FIG. 2).

At the time ti, the execution of the acyclic function module 24 in the function group 20b is triggered by an event. Since the function group 20b is subordinate to the function group 20a with regard to its priority level, the execution of the function module 24 is delayed until the processing cycle of the function module 22 has been completed. Thereafter, the execution of the acyclic function module 24 begins immediately. Since the function group 20b is superior to the function group 20c with regard to its priority level, the function module 24 is preferably executed in comparison to the function module 23, thereby delaying the execution of the function module 23 Point 25a is indicated by a dashed representation of the function block 23.

The duration of execution of the acyclic function module 24 exceeds a computing cycle, so that its processing is interrupted after the expiry of a computing cycle by the higher-priority function module 22, as indicated by a dashed frame at location 25b. After execution of the function block 22, the execution of the function block 24 can be continued instead of 25c. The shift of the execution of the function module 24 to a later time is symbolized in Figure 2 by an arrow 26a. The continued execution of the function block 24 displaces again the execution of a function block 23 at point 25d, so that now two suspended execution cycles of the function block 23 (namely from the points 25a and 25d) are pending for execution. After final Abarbei- the acyclic processing function block 24 at the time t ₂ can be started in place of 25e with the execution of the first of the exposed cycles of the function block 23; the displacement of its execution is indicated by an arrow 26b. However, this execution cycle can not be completed completely because again the execution of the

Function block 22 interrupts the execution of all other function blocks. The execution of the first suspended cycle of the functional module 23 can thus be completed only at location 25f; the displacement of the embodiment is indicated by an arrow 26c.

Now the one cycle of the execution of the functional module 23 is ready for execution, which had been suspended at location 25d. This is shown as indicated by arrow 26d. immediately after execution of the first suspended cycle. Since instead of 25g actually a renewed execution of the function block 23 would have stood, but which was displaced by the execution of the previously suspended cycles, this cycle is finally as through

Arrow 26e indicated immediately after the execution of the second deferred cycle of the function block 23 performed and terminated at time t ₃ . After a renewed execution of the function block 22, the next cycle of the function block 23 can subsequently be carried out in an instantaneous manner.

In order to check whether the computing device is overloaded with the execution of the function blocks 22, 23 and 24, the parameterization device calculates a utilization characteristic value for each function group. In the example of FIG. 2, this utilization characteristic value is specified in the number of ticks required for the execution of the respective function blocks. This utilization characteristic value is compared with a utilization threshold value specified for each function group. For example, the utilization factor of function module 22 (the duration of its execution in ticks) is compared with a utilization threshold value defined for function group 20a. This utilization threshold specifies a reaction time within which the execution of the function module must be completed. If this utilization threshold value were already lower than the utilization characteristic value of the function module 22 for the function group 20a, then the parameterization device would have to issue a warning at this point that the computing device of the automation device is not suitable for executing the function module 22. In the present example, however, it should be assumed that the utilization threshold value for the function group 20a is above the utilization characteristic value. Thus, reserves of the computing capacity can be passed on to the priority level lower function groups.

For the execution of the function block 24 to be executed acyclically, the time duration t ₂ -ti which elapses from the request of the execution of the function block 24 until its final execution at the time t ₂ is determined as the load factor as a function of the utilization of the superordinate function group. Depending on where the time of the request of the execution is in relation to the execution of the higher-level function block 22, longer or shorter times than shown in Figure 2 can result as a load factor. It makes sense to use here, for example, a mean time duration or a "worst-case" time duration (ie the longest possible duration) as the utilization parameter. which is to be assumed in this example - so the possibility of reliable operation of the computing device can also be determined for this function group.

For the next function group 20c, the period of time required for the cyclical execution of the function module 23 can, in principle, be used as the utilization parameter. However, this would not do justice to the reality, since the load factor depends on the load characteristics of the higher-level function groups with regard to the priority level. It therefore makes sense to choose a "recovery time" as the load factor, which is the time duration t ₃ -ti, which is required after a "disturbance" of the execution of the function module 23 at the time ti until the process can be carried out again undisturbed.Also this utilization characteristic value in the form of the recovery time is compared with the utilization threshold value defined for the function group 20c If it is lower than this, then the computing mode can be assumed to operate reliably, and the described mode of operation can be carried out in a corresponding manner, taking account of cyclic and acyclic executions of the function blocks for all existing function groups In order to determine the utilization characteristics of the higher-level function groups, load reserves or bottlenecks can be flexibly passed on to the respective function groups A real-time operating system such as uCOS, Psos or VxWorks can be used. Here, the function groups are each assigned to a task of the operating system.

Claims

claims

1. A method for generating a data set comprising functional modules, wherein the function blocks indicate device functions of an electrical automation device (10) and cause a computing device of the automation device (10) to execute the corresponding device functions, and wherein

- With a parameter setting (15) corresponding to a desired scope of device functions of the programmable controller (10) function blocks are selected;

- the function blocks are combined into a data record; and

- The record is provided for transmission to the automation device (10);

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

- A utilization of the computing device of the automation device (10) is determined, which is generated by the execution of the function blocks contained in the data by the computational device;

for the dataset, a utilization characteristic indicating the utilization of the computing device is generated;

the load factor is compared with a load threshold of the calculator; and

- An error signal is generated when the utilization factor exceeds the utilization threshold.

2. The method according to claim 1,

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

- If a warning signal is issued to a user of the parameterization device (15) when the error signal is present.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that - When the error signal is present, a transmission of the data set from the parameterization device to the automation device (10) is blocked.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

- Each function module includes an individual load information indicating a capacity utilization of the computing device that is generated in the execution of the functional block in question; and

- The utilization characteristic value is determined on the basis of the utilization information of the function modules contained in the data record.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

the utilization characteristic value indicates a utilization of the computing device relative to the total computing power of the computing device; and

- The utilization threshold indicates a maximum utilization of the computing device, which is provided for the execution of the function blocks.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

the utilization characteristic value indicates a period of time which the computing device requires to execute the function modules; and

- The utilization threshold indicates a maximum response time in which the computing device must have completed the execution of the function blocks.

7. The method according to claim 6,

characterized in that the time duration and the maximum reaction time are determined as quantities dependent on a reference computing device; and

- To adapt to the computing device of the automation device (10) these variables are multiplied by a specific for the computing device adjustment factor.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

- The function blocks are assigned to different functional groups of the programmable controller (10), each function group summarizes such device functions, the same or similar requirements in terms of priority of their execution and / or their response time to be met by the computing device and each function group is assigned a priority level ; and

- The utilization factor and the utilization threshold are determined individually for each function group.

9. The method according to claim 8,

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

- The load factor is determined for a respective function group depending on the respective utilization characteristic value of such function groups, which are superior in terms of their priority level of the function group in question.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

- The utilization threshold is determined taking into account in a device software of the programmable controller (10) fixed device functions.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that - Specify function blocks prefabricated protective or I & C device functions or individually composed of several individual - function modules by a user of Parametriereinrich- device (15).

12. The method according to claim 11,

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

for composite function blocks, each single function module contains a single load information indicating a load of the computing device generated during the execution of the single function module in question;

a utilization information of the composite function module, which indicates a utilization of the computing device which is generated during the execution of the complex function block in question, is determined on the basis of the individual utilization information; and

- The utilization characteristic value is determined taking into account the utilization information of the composite function module.

13. Parametriereinrichtung (15) for generating a data set comprising functional modules, the function blocks indicate device functions of an electrical automation device (10) and cause a computing device of the programmable controller (10) to perform the corresponding device functions,

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

- The parameterizing device for implementing a method according to one of the preceding claims 1-12 is set up.

14. Parameterization device (15) according to claim 13,

characterized in that - The parameterization device (15) is formed by a separate data processing device.

15. Parameterization device (15) according to claim 13,

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

- The parameterization (15) is part of the automation device (10).