Integrated fieldbus data server architecture
A new and improved control system architecture with a single server interface for application software that eliminates manual intervention by providing online, immediate access to information needed for plant/enterprise optimization, operation, configuration, maintenance and diagnostic application software. The control system architecture provides a method of dynamically creating a server directory to enable automatic access in an integrated control system. The method includes accessing a live list of fieldbus devices, building/updating a browse tree structure, the browse tree structure defining a branch and leaf node organization and naming for and data from the fieldbus devices, copying AP directories and FF objects from active fieldbus devices into a FF directory and mapping the FF Directory into the server directory.
1 . A method of dynamically creating a server directory to enable automatic access in an integrated control system, comprising the steps of:
(a) accessing a live list of fieldbus devices, wherein the live list represents active fieldbus devices in the integrated control system;
(b) building/updating a browse tree structure, wherein the browse tree structure defines a branch and leaf node organization, naming for the fieldbus devices and data from the fieldbus devices;
(c) copying Application Process (“AP”) directories and Foundation Fieldbus (“FF”) objects from active fieldbus devices into a FF directory so that the FF directory has object semantics corresponding to the active fieldbus devices; and
(d) mapping the FF Directory into the server directory, wherein the object semantics in the FF directory are mapped into the server directory in a standardized format that is automatically accessible by client application software running on a server.
2 - 20 . (canceled)