Apparatus and method for wireless process control
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a programmable logic controller capable of at least one of;
receiving input data from and providing output data to at least one device in a process control system, the programmable logic controller also capable of executing compiled code;
a memory capable of storing source code corresponding to the compiled code; and
a processor capable of storing the source code in the memory.
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Abstract
An apparatus includes a programmable logic controller capable of receiving input data from and/or providing output data to at least one device in a process control system. The programmable logic controller is also capable of executing compiled code. The apparatus also includes a memory capable of storing source code corresponding to the compiled code. In addition, the apparatus includes a processor capable of storing the source code in the memory. The apparatus may further include a wireless radio capable of communicating over a wireless network. In particular embodiments, the programmable logic controller and the processor may form a single functional unit. In other embodiments, the processor and memory may operate in place of the programmable logic controller.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a programmable logic controller capable of at least one of;
receiving input data from and providing output data to at least one device in a process control system, the programmable logic controller also capable of executing compiled code;
a memory capable of storing source code corresponding to the compiled code; and
a processor capable of storing the source code in the memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method, comprising:
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executing compiled code at a programmable logic controller, the programmable logic controller forming part of or coupled to a first controller in a process control system;
storing source code corresponding to the compiled code in a memory of the first controller; and
wirelessly communicating with a second controller over a wireless network, the controllers capable of controlling at least one device in the process control system. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system, comprising:
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a plurality of devices capable of one or more of;
measuring one or more characteristics in the system, initiating one or more physical actions in the system, and performing one or more physical actions in the system; and
a plurality of controllers coupled to the plurality of devices, each of at least one of the controllers comprising;
a programmable logic controller capable of at least one of;
receiving input data from and providing output data to at least one of the devices, the programmable logic controller also capable of executing compiled code;
a memory capable of storing source code corresponding to the compiled code;
a processor capable of storing the source code in the memory; and
a wireless radio capable of communicating with at least one other of the controllers over a wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. An apparatus, comprising:
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a processor capable of at least one of;
receiving input data from and providing output data to at least one device in a process control system, the processor also capable of executing compiled code; and
a memory capable of storing source code corresponding to the compiled code;
wherein the processor is further capable of storing the source code in the memory.
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Specification