The present invention relates to a method for automatic translation of ladder logic to a SMT-based model checker in a network comprising defining (10) the topology of the network as an enriched network topology based on packets exchanged in the network, extracting (20) a program from the packets relating to a PLC in the network and identifying inputs, outputs, variables and a ladder diagram of the PLC, translating (30) the inputs, outputs, variables and ladder diagram into a predefined formal model, wherein the predefined formal model is a circuit-like SMT-based model checker, and wherein the translating (30) comprises translating the set of data types of the program according to a predefined model set of data types of the circuit-like SMT-based model checker, translating the inputs of the PLC as model inputs of the circuit-like SMT-based model checker of the same type, translating the outputs of the PLC as model output latches of the circuit-like SMT-based model checker of the same type, translating the variables of the PLC as model variable latches of the circuit-like SMT-based model checker of the same type, translating comparators and arithmetic operators of the ladder diagram into a plurality of predefined model functions of the circuit-like SMT-based model checker, translating contacts and coils of the ladder diagram according to predefined model recursive procedures relating to the predefined model set of data types, the model inputs, the model output latches, the model variable latches and the plurality of predefined model functions, wherein the contacts are switches that can block or allow the flow of the current in a connection and each of the contacts is controlled by a Boolean input or variable, and wherein the coils are assignments to Boolean variables.

Disclosed is a field device adapter for wireless data transfer for connection to a field-device-internal interface provided for a display, comprising: an interface for connection to the field-device-internal interface; a radio module configured to wirelessly transmit a data packet on a low-power wide-area network, wherein the radio module is further configured to only transmit the data packet and not to receive any data packets; adapter electronics configured to limit an energy provided via the field-device-internal interface to a predefined value and to charge a stored energy source with the limited energy. The adapter electronics are further configured to monitor a state of charge of the stored energy source and, based on the state of charge, to provide the radio module with an energy originating from the stored energy source for transmitting the data packet.

A node for wirelessly controlling devices of a collaborative device group in an industrial infrastructure. The node includes: an inspection unit configured to identify a packet data flow of packet data to be transmitted by the node to one of the devices of the collaborative device group to control the corresponding, respective device; and a scheduling unit coupled to the inspection unit. The scheduling unit is configured to schedule transmission of the packet data to the corresponding, respective device based on the identification, by the inspection unit, of the packet data flow.

Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to validate position parameters of a valve are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a field device, the field device further including a sensor interface to receive an unprocessed valve position parameter from a sensor and a position comparator to determine a deviation between the unprocessed valve position parameter and an interpreted valve position parameter and a valve position validator apparatus, the valve position validator apparatus further including a parameter comparator to determine if the deviation exceeds a threshold and an alert generator to generate an alert when the parameter comparator determines the deviation exceeds the threshold.

The present invention is applied to a distributed control system in which a plurality of control devices (a central control device, an individual control device, and the like) are connected via a network. For example, the central control device executes a start-up deadline determination processing for setting a start-up deadline in consideration of the performance of a device to be controlled, and communication processing for transmitting a packet including identification information of a command and information of the start-up deadline to the individual control device. For example, when receiving the packet transmitted from the central control device, the individual control device controls execution of the command on the device to be controlled on the basis of the start-up deadline included in the packet.

A data reproduction device (1) is a data reproduction device for plant-monitoring control system to be newly connected to an existing network 6 in which a packet is transmitted/received between a PLC (2) that is operating and an input/output device (3, 4). A setting information storing portion (10) stores setting information. A process data definition information storing portion (11) stores process data definition information. A process data acquiring portion (13) acquires a binary data array stored in the packet. A process data analyzing portion (15) decomposes the binary data array into a plurality of pieces of process data based on the setting information and, for each of the plurality of pieces of process data, associates one piece of the process data among the plurality of pieces of process data, packet receiving time, and the process data definition information to obtain one piece of process data analysis information.

The present invention relates to a method for automatic translation of ladder logic to a SMT-based model checker in a network comprising defining (10) the topology of the network as an enriched network topology based on packets exchanged in the network, extracting (20) a program from the packets relating to a PLC in the network and identifying inputs, outputs, variables and a ladder diagram of the PLC, translating (30) the inputs, outputs, variables and ladder diagram into a predefined formal model, wherein the predefined formal model is a circuit-like SMT-based model checker, and wherein the translating (30) comprises translating the set of data types of the program according to a predefined model set of data types of the circuit-like SMT-based model checker, translating the inputs of the PLC as model inputs of the circuit-like SMT-based model checker of the same type, translating the outputs of the PLC as model output latches of the circuit-like SMT-based model checker of the same type, translating the variables of the PLC as model variable latches of the circuit-like SMT-based model checker of the same type, translating comparators and arithmetic operators of the ladder diagram into a plurality of predefined model functions of the circuit-like SMT-based model checker, translating contacts and coils of the ladder diagram according to predefined model recursive procedures relating to the predefined model set of data types, the model inputs, the model output latches, the model variable latches and the plurality of predefined model functions, wherein the contacts are switches that can block or allow the flow of the current in a connection and each of the contacts is controlled by a Boolean input or variable, and wherein the coils are assignments to Boolean variables.

The present invention is applied to a distributed control system in which a plurality of control devices (a central control device, an individual control device, and the like) are connected via a network. For example, the central control device executes a start-up deadline determination processing for setting a start-up deadline in consideration of the performance of a device to be controlled, and communication processing for transmitting a packet including identification information of a command and information of the start-up deadline to the individual control device. For example, when receiving the packet transmitted from the central control device, the individual control device controls execution of the command on the device to be controlled on the basis of the start-up deadline included in the packet.

Disclosed is a field device adapter for wireless data transfer for connection to a field-device-internal interface provided for a display, comprising: an interface for connection to the field-device-internal interface; a radio module configured to wirelessly transmit a data packet on a low-power wide-area network, wherein the radio module is further configured to only transmit the data packet and not to receive any data packets; adapter electronics configured to limit an energy provided via the field-device-internal interface to a predefined value and to charge a stored energy source with the limited energy. The adapter electronics are further configured to monitor a state of charge of the stored energy source and, based on the state of charge, to provide the radio module with an energy originating from the stored energy source for transmitting the data packet.

Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to validate position parameters of a valve are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a field device, the field device further including a sensor interface to receive an unprocessed valve position parameter from a sensor and a position comparator to determine a deviation between the unprocessed valve position parameter and an interpreted valve position parameter and a valve position validator apparatus, the valve position validator apparatus further including a parameter comparator to determine if the deviation exceeds a threshold and an alert generator to generate an alert when the parameter comparator determines the deviation exceeds the threshold.