Architecture and method for enabling use of wireless devices in industrial control
First Claim
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1. A distributed process control system comprising:
- a plurality of first field devices for sensing a first information set corresponding to industrial process control parameters, the first field devices channeling the first information set through a wired first channel;
a plurality of second devices being characterized as wireless nodes to sense a second information set corresponding to the distributed process control parameters, the second devices being coupled to a plurality of first wireless transceivers to channel the second information set through at least one wireless channel to the wired first channel for augmenting the industrial process control pertaining to said distributed control system architecture;
at least one host controller electronically accessing and processing primary information characterizing the distributed control system and secondary information corresponding to the first and second information sets; and
a network abstraction device coupled to a least one second wireless transceiver wirelessly communicating with the first wireless transceivers, said network abstraction device being configured to emulate a communication gateway.
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Abstract
Wireless devices are added to existing hardwired process control systems. In one embodiment, a wireless interface unit or module is used to provide an interface between wireless sensors and an existing hardwired bus or network. The wireless interface unit may be used at multiple different stages of the network, and provides protocol abstractions in one embodiment to provide reliability and quality of service consistent with devices in the existing network.
109 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A distributed process control system comprising:
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a plurality of first field devices for sensing a first information set corresponding to industrial process control parameters, the first field devices channeling the first information set through a wired first channel;
a plurality of second devices being characterized as wireless nodes to sense a second information set corresponding to the distributed process control parameters, the second devices being coupled to a plurality of first wireless transceivers to channel the second information set through at least one wireless channel to the wired first channel for augmenting the industrial process control pertaining to said distributed control system architecture;
at least one host controller electronically accessing and processing primary information characterizing the distributed control system and secondary information corresponding to the first and second information sets; and
a network abstraction device coupled to a least one second wireless transceiver wirelessly communicating with the first wireless transceivers, said network abstraction device being configured to emulate a communication gateway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A network abstraction device comprising:
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a wireless interface device for communicating with wireless devices;
a protocol abstraction unit to translate data between formats for the wireless interface devices and a hardwired bus; and
a communication stack coupled to the protocol abstraction unit and hardwired bus for emulating data communication through said hardwired bus having a plurality of hardwired bus devices. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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17. A system comprising:
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a plurality of first field devices;
a hard wired bus coupled to the plurality of first field devices;
a plurality of second field devices;
wherein said second field devices are configured to form a wireless network;
a wireless bus coupled to the plurality of second field devices;
means for interfacing the wireless bus to the hardwired bus; and
means for abstracting communication through said hardwired bus.
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28. A device implemented method comprising:
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communicating with a plurality of wireless sensors monitoring a process;
emulating a device coupled to a hardwire bus; and
providing a quality of service for communications from the wireless nodes consistent with a quality of service provided on the fieldbus with respect to device coupled hardwired therewith - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification