Method for reprogramming a field device

• US 20030097521A1
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Published: 05/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Original Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Inventors: Schrock, Arthur, Pfandler, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 7,320,067 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/103
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23299 Remote load of program, through fieldbus
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23323 Select between entry and execution of program
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23411 Voltage supply or allow, not inhibit signal to memory on connection of programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25265 Flash memory
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25428 Field device

Abstract

According to a method for reprogramming a field device, the current supply of the field device is increased in the programming mode. This enables electrically deletable and reprogrammable memories to be used in field devices.

Claims

1. A method for reprogramming a field device, which has a microprocessor μ

p and an electrically erasable and reprogrammable memory EE, having the following method steps;

a) interruption of an ongoing first control program of the microprocessor μ

p and switchover from a normal operating mode to a programming mode;

b) increasing the power supply to the field device;

c) erasing the first control program in the memory EE by application of a voltage;

d) storing a second control program in the memory EE;

e) cancelling the programming mode and starting the second control program.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein during the programming mode, a voltage pulse is generated at a control output A1 of the microprocessor μ

p.

3. The method of one of the foregoing claims, wherein the second control program is read in via an interface S provided in the field device.

4. A field device for detecting or controlling a process variable, which has a microprocessor and a memory in which a control program is stored that determines the function of the field device and which has a power supply unit, characterized in that the memory EE is electrically erasable and reprogrammable, and the power supply unit is regulatable.

5. The field device of claim 4, characterized in that serving as the power supply unit is a field bus interface FBS, which is connected to a digital data bus DBS.

6. The field device of claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the field bus interface FBS has a control input E1, whose resistance at the voltage zero point regulates the power supply of the field device.

7. The field device of claim 6, characterized in that the control input E1 is connected to ground via two series-connected resistors R1, R2, and the second resistor R2 can be bridged by means of a transistor T.