ABB Switzerland Files Patent for Migrating Control Logic Types in Distributed Control Systems
Time:2026-05-09 Browse: 0
ABB Switzerland has recently filed a patent with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) for a method that enables the migration of control logic types in distributed control systems (DCS). The patent, published under the number CN121995815A with an application date of October 2025, reflects ABB’s ongoing commitment to modernizing industrial automation technologies.
The patent outlines a method to migrate control logic types from legacy engineering tools to modern engineering platforms in industrial plants. The approach involves several key steps:
Extraction of legacy control logic: Control logic in traditional formats is retrieved from existing engineering tools.
Reformatting for modern controllers: The legacy logic is converted into a format compatible with contemporary DCS controllers.
Replication of graphical instructions: Graphical programming elements, such as function block diagrams, are duplicated to preserve the original logic visually.
Updating attribute lists and communication addresses: Attributes associated with each logic element are revised, and communication address fields are reformatted to ensure seamless compatibility with modern systems.
Integration with modern engineering tool libraries: The reformatted logic, graphical instructions, and updated attributes are associated with corresponding modules in modern engineering tool libraries.
This innovation addresses a common challenge in industrial automation: maintaining the usability and integrity of legacy control logic while upgrading to advanced engineering tools. By facilitating automated migration of control logic types, ABB’s method enables industrial plants to modernize their DCS infrastructure without extensive manual rewriting or loss of functional integrity.
The patent highlights ABB’s focus on enhancing interoperability and easing digital transformation in industrial control environments, reinforcing the company’s leadership in advanced automation solutions.
