Method of selecting data communication provider in a field device

• US 20060267792A1
• Filed: 05/26/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Ostby, Philip G., Schnaare, Theodore H., Sierra, Gabriel L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,869,805 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.100
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/30 using a wired architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/86 Performing a diagnostic of the sensing device
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for allowing a field device to select a data communication provider among a plurality of available data communication providers. Preferably, the method includes periodically, or selectively, assessing the strengths and efficacy of data communication on one or more alternate data communication providers. The data communication provider with the strongest signal and/or most effective data communication is selected for use by the field device. Preferably, the field device logs events where it switches among data communication providers.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting data from a field device, the method including:

obtaining process variable information;

selectively determining data communication signal strength of a plurality of data communication providers available to the field device; and

transmitting the process variable information over a selected one of the plurality of data communication providers based at least in part upon the signal strength of the selected data communication provider.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively determining data communication signal strength of the plurality of data communication providers includes only determining data communication signal strength of the plurality of providers if a signal strength of an initial data communication provider is below a certain threshold.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs cellular telephone communications.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs communications in accordance with IEEE 802.11b.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs communications in accordance with IEEE 802.11g.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs communications in accordance with IEEE 802.16.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs communications in accordance with Bluetooth.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs satellite communications.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the data communications providers employs communication in accordance with IEEE 802.15.4.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs communications over a wired communication medium.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the wired communication medium includes a process control loop.

12. The method of claim 1, and further comprising storing event information related to connecting to the selected data communication provider.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein event information is accumulated to provide a history of communication using any of the data communication providers.

14. The method of claim 13, and further comprising performing at least one statistical operation upon the history, and wherein selection of the selected data communication provider is based, in part, upon the statistical operation.

15. A field device comprising:

a sensor for sensing a process variable;

a controller operably coupled to the sensor to generate process variable information;

at least one communications module coupled to the controller; and

wherein the controller is adapted to query a plurality of available data communication providers and select the data communication provider with the best signal, and wherein the controller causes the at least one communications module to transmit the process variable information over the selected data communication provider.

16. The field device of claim 15, wherein the field device is intrinsically safe.

17. The field device of claim 15, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs cellular telephone communications.

18. The field device of claim 15, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs communications in accordance with IEEE 802.11b.

19. The field device of claim 15, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs communications in accordance with IEEE 802.11g.

20. The field device of claim 15, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs communications in accordance with IEEE 802.16.

21. The field device of claim 16, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs communications in accordance with Bluetooth.

22. The field device of claim 16, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs satellite communications.

23. The field device of claim 16, wherein at least one of the data communications providers employs communication in accordance with IEEE 802.15.4.

24. The field device of claim 16, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs communications over a wired communication medium.

25. The field device of claim 16, wherein the wired communication medium includes a process control loop.