Plug and play reconfigurable USB interface for industrial fieldbus network access

• US 20030236937A1
• Filed: 06/21/2002
• Published: 12/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smar Research Corp.
• Original Assignee: Smar Research Corp.
• Inventors: Prizon, Delcio, Ribeiro, Rogerio Santiago, Barros De Almeida, Marcelo
• Granted Patent: US 6,839,790 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/305
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40039 Details regarding the setting of the power status of a node according to activity on the bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/40221 Profibus

Abstract

A reconfigurable interface device for providing access to a plurality of fieldbus networks. The interface device includes a reconfigurable circuit which provides access to a selected fieldbus network from among several optional fieldbus networks. According to an embodiment, the reconfigurable circuit includes a plurality of media units, each media unit providing access to one of the several optional fieldbus networks, and a switch unit coupled to each of the plurality of media units, the switch unit activating a media unit corresponding to the selected fieldbus network, and deactivating remaining media units. A reconfigurable control device is provided for controlling and monitoring a plurality of fieldbus networks. The control device includes a host, having a server and non-volatile memory, and a reconfigurable interface device having a reconfigurable circuit. The non-volatile memory stores firmwares for reconfiguring the reconfigurable circuit in accordance with each of the several optional fieldbus networks.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable interface device for providing access to a plurality of fieldbus networks, comprising:

a reconfigurable circuit, the circuit being reconfigurable to provide access to a selected fieldbus network from among a plurality of optional fieldbus networks.

2. The reconfigurable interface device of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable circuit includes:

a plurality of media units, each media unit providing access to one of the plurality of optional fieldbus networks; and

a switch unit coupled to each of the plurality of media units, the switch unit activating a media unit corresponding to the selected fieldbus network, and deactivating remaining media units.

3. The reconfigurable interface device of claim 2, wherein the switch unit includes a multiplexer.

4. The reconfigurable interface device of claim 2, wherein the reconfigurable circuit further includes:

a microprocessor switchably coupled to each of the plurality of media units, the microprocessor adapted to receive and execute firmware having instructions for reconfiguring the microprocessor to enable communication over the selected fieldbus network.

5. The reconfigurable interface device of claim 4, further comprising:

a USB controller coupled to the microprocessor and connectable via a USB bus to a host server, the USB controller receiving the firmware from the host server over the USB bus and delivering the received firmware to the microprocessor.

6. The reconfigurable interface device of claim 5, further comprising:

a power unit coupled to the plurality of media units, the power unit providing power to the activated media unit, and shutting off power to the deactivated media units, the power unit being switchably connected to the selected fieldbus network for optionally providing power to the fieldbus network.

7. The reconfigurable interface device of claim 6, wherein the power unit is coupled to and receives power from the USB bus.

8. The reconfigurable interface device of claim 4, further comprising:

a memory unit coupled to the microprocessor, the memory unit storing downloaded firmware; and

a timer unit coupled to the microprocessor.

9. The reconfigurable interface device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of media units each include a physical layer of a fieldbus network protocol stack corresponding to the fieldbus network for which each provides access.

10. The reconfigurable interface device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of media units include:

a Hart media unit for providing access to a Hart network;

a Profibus media unit for providing access to a Profibus network; and

a Foundation media unit for providing access to a Foundation fieldbus network.

11. A plug-and-play reconfigurable interface device for providing an interface between a host control device and a plurality of fieldbus networks, comprising:

a reconfigurable circuit, the circuit being reconfigurable to provide access to a selected fieldbus network from among several optional fieldbus networks, the circuit including a plurality of media units, each media unit providing access to one of the several optional fieldbus networks, the circuit further including a switch unit coupled to each of the plurality of media units for activating a media unit corresponding to the selected fieldbus network and deactivating remaining media units, and a microprocessor switchably coupled to the plurality of media units, the microprocessor adapted to receive from the host control device firmware having instructions for reconfiguring the microprocessor to enable communication over the selected fieldbus network.

12. The plug-and-play reconfigurable interface device of claim 11, further comprising:

a USB port, the USB port providing connectivity to the host control device via a USB bus.

13. The plug-and-play reconfigurable interface device of claim 12, further comprising:

a power unit coupled to the plurality of media units, the power unit providing power to the activated media unit, and shutting off power to the deactivated media units, the power unit being switchably connected to the selected fieldbus network for optionally providing power to the fieldbus network;

wherein the power unit is coupled to and receives power from the USB bus.

14. The plug-and-play reconfigurable interface device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of media units include:

a Hart media unit for providing access to a Hart network,

a Profibus media unit for providing access to a Profibus network; and

a Foundation media unit for providing access to a Foundation fieldbus network.

15. A reconfigurable USB interface for providing access to a plurality of fieldbus networks, comprising:

a reconfigurable circuit, the circuit being reconfigurable to provide access to a selected fieldbus network from among several optional fieldbus networks; and

a USB port coupled to the reconfigurable circuit and to a USB bus, the USB port receiving selection and control information over the USB bus, and providing the selection and control information to the reconfigurable circuit.

16. The reconfigurable USB interface of claim 15, further comprising:

a USB controller coupled to the USB port, the USB controller receiving the selection and control information via the USB port as USB frames, and converting the USB frames into machine-readable information.

17. The reconfigurable USB interface of claim 16, wherein the reconfigurable circuit includes:

a plurality of media units, each media unit providing access to one of the several optional fieldbus networks; and

a switch unit coupled to each of the plurality of media units, the switch unit activating a media unit corresponding to the selected fieldbus network, and deactivating remaining media units.

18. The reconfigurable USB interface of claim 17, wherein the reconfigurable circuit further includes:

a microprocessor switchably coupled to each of the plurality of media units and coupled to the USB controller;

wherein the USB controller receives firmware instructions for reconfiguring the microprocessor to enable communication over the selected fieldbus network via the USB port, and delivers the firmware instructions to the microprocessor.

19. The reconfigurable USB interface of claim 17, wherein the plurality of media units include:

a Hart media unit for providing access to a Hart network,

a Profibus media unit for providing access to a Profibus network; and

a Foundation media unit for providing access to a Foundation fieldbus network.

20. The reconfigurable USB interface of claim 17, further comprising:

a power unit coupled to the plurality of media units, the power unit providing power to the activated media unit, and shutting off power to the deactivated media units, the power unit being switchably connected to the selected fieldbus network for optionally providing power to the fieldbus network;

wherein the power unit is coupled to and receives power from the USB bus.

21. A reconfigurable control device for controlling and monitoring a plurality of fieldbus networks, comprising:

a host, the host including a server and non-volatile memory; and

a reconfigurable interface device coupled to the host for providing access to a plurality of fieldbus networks, the reconfigurable interface including a reconfigurable circuit, the circuit being reconfigurable to provide access to a fieldbus network selected by the host from among several optional fieldbus networks;

wherein the non-volatile memory stores firmwares for reconfiguring the reconfigurable circuit in accordance with each of the several optional fieldbus networks.

22. The reconfigurable control device of claim 21, wherein the host includes a USB network hub, and the interface device includes a USB controller, the USB network hub being coupled to the USB controller via a USB bus.

23. The reconfigurable control device of claim 22, wherein the reconfigurable circuit of the interface device includes:

a plurality of media units, each media unit providing access to one of the several optional fieldbus networks; and

a switch unit coupled to each of the plurality of media units, the switch unit activating a media unit corresponding to the selected fieldbus network, and deactivating remaining media units.

24. The reconfigurable control device of claim 23, wherein the reconfigurable circuit of the interface device includes a microprocessor switchably coupled to each of the plurality of media units and coupled to the USB controller;

and

wherein the microprocessor receives firmware instructions downloaded from the host memory for reconfiguring the microprocessor to enable communication over the selected fieldbus network, and delivers the firmware instructions to the microprocessor.

25. The reconfigurable control device of claim 23, wherein the interface device further includes:

a power unit coupled to the plurality of media units, the power unit providing power to the activated media unit, and shutting off power to the deactivated media units, the power unit being switchably connected to the selected fieldbus network for optionally providing power to the fieldbus network;

wherein the power unit is coupled to and receives power from the USB bus.

26. A reconfigurable system for controlling and monitoring a fieldbus network, comprising:

a client device including a microprocessor, the client device executing application software for selecting a fieldbus network for control and monitoring operations;

a host including a server and non-volatile memory, the host server providing an application program interface to the client device and communicating instructions and data to the client through the application program interface; and

a reconfigurable interface device providing access to a plurality of fieldbus networks and coupled to the host, the interface device being reconfigurable to provide access to the selected fieldbus network from among several optional fieldbus networks.

27. The reconfigurable system of claim 26, wherein the non-volatile memory at the host stores firmwares for reconfiguring the interface device to operate using a protocol corresponding to the optional fieldbus networks, and upon receiving an instruction from the client indicating a selected fieldbus network, the host server downloads a firmware corresponding to the selected fieldbus network and delivers the downloaded firmware to the interface device for reconfiguration.

28. The reconfigurable system of claim 27, wherein the reconfigurable interface device includes:

a plurality of media units, each media unit providing access to one of the several optional fieldbus networks; and

a switch unit coupled to each of the plurality of media units, the switch unit activating a media unit corresponding to the selected fieldbus network, and deactivating remaining media units.

29. The reconfigurable system of claim 27, wherein the host includes a USB network hub, and the interface device includes a USB controller, the USB network hub being coupled to the USB controller via a USB bus.

30. The reconfigurable system of claim 29, further comprising:

a power unit coupled to the plurality of media units, the power unit providing power to the activated media unit, and shutting off power to the deactivated media units, the power unit being switchably connected to the selected fieldbus network for optionally providing power to the fieldbus network;

wherein the power unit is coupled to and receives power from the USB bus.

31. A method for enabling communication with field devices on a selected fieldbus network using a reconfigurable interface device, the method comprising:

selecting a fieldbus network, among a plurality of optional fieldbus networks for communication; and

reconfiguring the interface device to provide access to the selected fieldbus network.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

downloading firmware including instructions for communicating over the selected network to the interface device.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

providing selection instructions and firmware to the interface device over a USB network bus.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

depending on the selected fieldbus network, providing power to field devices from the interface device.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

obtaining the power provided to the field devices from the USB network bus.

36. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

reconfiguring the interface device to provide access to one of a Hart network, a Profibus network, and a Foundation fieldbus network.

37. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

providing a plurality of media units in the interface device, each media unit providing access to one of the optional fieldbus networks; and

activating the media unit corresponding to the selected fieldbus network; and

deactivating remaining media units.

38. A computer-readable medium for storing instructions for causing an interface device to a plurality of fieldbus networks to:

reconfigure to provide access to a selected fieldbus network among the plurality of fieldbus networks; and

communicate with field devices on the selected fieldbus network.