Programmable controller with RF wireless interface

• US 20030050093A1
• Filed: 09/07/2001
• Published: 03/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Licht, Harold Jay
• Granted Patent: US 6,993,298 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/054 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/15038 Internet, tcp-ip, web server see under S05B219-40
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/15117 Radio link, wireless
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31156 Network structure, internet
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31186 TCP-IP internet protocol
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31205 Remote transmission of measured values from site, local to host
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0266 Marks, test patterns or identification means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10098 Components for radio transmission, e.g. radio frequency identification [RFID] tag, printed or non-printed antennas
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A programmable logic controller has a wireless communication interface. A radio frequency identification chip set is mounted to, and is in communication with, the active elements of an integrated circuit on one or more circuit boards in the programmable controller. The chip set provides for radio frequency communication between the controller and other components either inside the controller or external to the controller. Identification information recorded on the chip may be interfaced over a network, particularly, an on-line network such as the Internet.

Claims

1. A programmable logic controller having a wireless communication interface comprising:

a housing;

at least one circuit board within the controller housing, the board comprising circuitry for performing controller functions; and

a radio frequency identification chip set mounted to at least one of the boards and coupled to the circuitry on the at least one board, the chip set for providing radio frequency communication.

2. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein the radio frequency chip set antenna is etched into the circuit board.

3. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, further comprising a chip set mount for mounting the chip set to the board.

4. The programmable logic controller according to claim 3, wherein the chip set mount comprises a standard surface mount.

5. The programmable logic controller according to claim 3, wherein the chip set mount comprises a through-hole mounting device.

6. The programmable logic controller according to claim 3, wherein the chip set mount comprises a chip-on-board mounting device.

7. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein the chip set comprises part of the schematic of the integrated circuit.

8. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein two or more circuit boards within the controller comprise the chip set and the boards are adapted for radio frequency communication with one another.

9. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a processor that receives RF signals carrying programming instructions for execution by the processor.

10. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein the chip set is shielded to prevent radio frequency communication with the interface from interfering with the operation of the controller.

11. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein the chip set operates in a frequency range outside of frequencies at which the controller operates to prevent radio frequency communication with the interface from interfering with the operation of the controller.

12. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein the interface carries signals representing wireless testing instructions.

13. The programmable controller according to claim 12, wherein the interface carries testing signals during manufacturing process of the controller during a manufacturing process.

14. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, further comprising a network interface for interfacing the programmable logic controller to a network.

15. The programmable logic controller according to claim 14, wherein said network interface communicates information received from said identification chip over said network.

16. The programmable logic controller according to claim 15, wherein said network interface interfaces to the Internet.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the information comprises programming instructions for the controller.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the information comprises error notification signals indicating when there is a problem in the controller.

17. A programmable logic controller having a wireless communication interface comprising:

a housing;

at least one circuit board within the controller including circuitry for performing controller functions; and

interface means for providing wireless communication with said programmable logic controller via radio frequency transmissions, said interface means mounted to and contacting at least one of the circuit boards.

18. A method for providing wireless communication with a programmable logic controller, the method comprising:

providing a radio frequency identification chip set that transmits information via radio frequency signals;

mounting said chip set in contacting arrangement to the active elements of an integrated circuit on at least one circuit board in the programmable logic controller; and

providing an antenna for communicating information to and from the chip set.