A method for managing an automation system involving a plurality of synchronous elements, the method including: designating a master signal for controlling the plurality of synchronous elements; determining a communication protocol for communicating the master signal to the plurality of synchronous elements; determining a compensation profile for each of the plurality of synchronous elements based on the communication protocol and characteristics of each of the plurality of synchronous elements; and utilizing the compensation profile in the control of the automation system. A system for managing an automation system involving at least two synchronous elements, the system including: a first controller for controlling a first synchronous element; a second controller for controlling at least a second synchronous element; a configuration module for configuring at least the second synchronous element; a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the second controller, cause the second controller to perform the method above.

A system for performing industrial automation control may include a first device that generates a first set of data formatted according to a first protocol and a second device that generates an automation command. The automation command may control the first device based on the first set of data. The second device may interpret data formatted according to a second protocol. The system may include a broker system coupled between the first device and the second device to transform data communicated between the devices, such as the first set of data, the automation command, or both. For example, the broker system may transmit a set of data generated to communicate the first set of data to the second device formatted according to the second protocol as opposed to being formatting according to the first protocol.

A system for performing industrial automation control may include a first device that generates a first set of data formatted according to a first protocol and a second device that generates an automation command. The automation command may control the first device based on the first set of data. The second device may interpret data formatted according to a second protocol. The system may include a broker system coupled between the first device and the second device to transform data communicated between the devices, such as the first set of data, the automation command, or both. For example, the broker system may transmit a set of data generated to communicate the first set of data to the second device formatted according to the second protocol as opposed to being formatting according to the first protocol.

A method for managing an automation system involving asynchronous and synchronous zones, the method including: determining when a moving element enters a merge zone between an asynchronous zone and a synchronous zone; calculating additive jerk to be applied to the moving element, In some cases, the additive jerk is based on predetermined compensation profiles; determining if the master position change is different than a base logged; if so, interpolating additive jerk based on movement characteristics of the moving element; in either event, applying the additive jerk to the moving element; and determining if the merge is completed and, if yes, ending the merge and continue with synchronous operation but, if no, returning to calculating the additive jerk and repeat. A system including a processor/controller and a memory including instructions, which when executed by the processor/controller, perform the method.

A highly versatile process control or factory automation field device is configured with an interface and communication connection structure that enables the field device to operate as a data server that communicates with and supports multiple different applications or clients, either directly or indirectly, while simultaneously performing standard process and factory automation control functions. Moreover, various different process control and factory automation network architectures and, in particular, communication architectures, support the versatile field device to enable the versatile field device to simultaneously communicate with multiple different client devices or applications (each associated with a different system) via a common communication network infrastructure, using the same or different communication protocols.

An equipment management system includes an adaptive system control unit which is assigned to at least one piece of equipment installed in a plant and which monitors and controls the equipment via wireless communication. The adaptive system control unit includes an information detection unit for detecting information from the equipment, a detected information control unit for guaranteeing that only acquisition intended information previously intended to be acquired in the information detected by the information detection unit is acquired by the adaptive system control unit, a first data propagation adjustment unit for adjusting a propagation path when transmitting data including information controlled by the detected information control unit to the outside, and an equipment control unit for controlling the equipment on the basis of the information detected by the information detection unit or a control policy from the outside.

Provided is a relay device and manufacturing system that relays communication based on SECS/GEM protocol to a manufacturing system using a different communication protocol, and enables integrated management via a SECS/GEM host. Relay device performs protocol conversion between a SECS/GEM protocol and an original protocol that is a non-SECS/GEM protocol, and transfers data transmitted between user host and manufacturer host. Also, relay device performs transfer processing based on a port correspondence database that specifies local IP addresses of manufacturer host and the like and TCP protocol port numbers corresponding to these IP addresses.

An equipment management system includes an adaptive system control unit which is assigned to at least one piece of equipment installed in a plant and which monitors and controls the equipment via wireless communication. The adaptive system control unit includes an information detection unit for detecting information from the equipment, a detected information control unit for guaranteeing that only acquisition intended information previously intended to be acquired in the information detected by the information detection unit is acquired by the adaptive system control unit, a first data propagation adjustment unit for adjusting a propagation path when transmitting data including information controlled by the detected information control unit to the outside, and an equipment control unit for controlling the equipment on the basis of the information detected by the information detection unit or a control policy from the outside.

Provided is a relay device and manufacturing system that relays communication based on SECS/GEM protocol to a manufacturing system using a different communication protocol, and enables integrated management via a SECS/GEM host. Relay device performs protocol conversion between a SECS/GEM protocol and an original protocol that is a non-SECS/GEM protocol, and transfers data transmitted between user host and manufacturer host. Also, relay device performs transfer processing based on a port correspondence database that specifies local IP addresses of manufacturer host and the like and TCP protocol port numbers corresponding to these IP addresses.

A highly versatile process control or factory automation field device is configured with an interface and communication connection structure that enables the field device to operate as a data server that communicates with and supports multiple different applications or clients, either directly or indirectly, while simultaneously performing standard process and factory automation control functions. Moreover, various different process control and factory automation network architectures and, in particular, communication architectures, support the versatile field device to enable the versatile field device to simultaneously communicate with multiple different client devices or applications (each associated with a different system) via a common communication network infrastructure, using the same or different communication protocols.