Patent ID: 8515562
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
1. A method for handling simulations related to at least one field device to be provided in a field network of a computer based control system in relation to a simulation handling device, wherein the field device is controlled by a control device that performs addressing control in relation to logical addresses for field devices equipped with at least one of hardware addresses or logical names, wherein the simulation handling device has an own logical address and an own hardware address, the method being performed in the simulation handling device and comprising: receiving by the simulation handling device an address resolution request sent by the control device, sending from the simulation handling device a logical address and a hardware address of the simulation handling device to the control device, setting the simulation handling device to use a logical address and a hardware address of the at least one field device, receiving by the simulation handling device an availability request sent by the control device to investigate availability of the at least one field device, sending by the simulation handling device the logical address and the hardware address of the at least one field device to the control device such that the logical address and the hardware address of the at least one field device appear to originate from the at least one field device, thereby notifying the control device that the at least one field device is connected to the field network without the at least one field device involved in a simulation being connected to the field network, detecting by the simulation handling device a control signal directed by the control device towards the at least one field device and addressed using the logical address and the hardware address of the at least one field device, and responding by the simulation handling device to the control signal with simulation results related to a process using the logical address and the hardware address of the at least one field device as the source of the response.