Combined Wired and Wireless Communications with Field Devices in a Process Control Environment
First Claim
1. A method of providing a wireless extension to a plant automation network connected to a plurality of wired devices, each wired device performing a process control function, the method comprising:
- connecting a plurality of wireless devices to the plant automation network, each of the plurality of wireless devices adapted to communicate with at least another one of the plurality of wireless devices via at least one respective wireless connection; and
providing access to each of the plurality of wireless devices from a host disposed in the plant automation network, wherein the host accesses the plurality of wired devices and the plurality of wireless devices using a common communication scheme.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of providing a wireless extension to a plant automation network connected to a plurality of wired devices, each wired device performing a process control function, includes connecting a plurality of wireless devices to the plant automation network, each of the plurality of wireless devices adapted to communicate with at least another one of the plurality of wireless devices via at least one respective wireless connection; and providing access to each of the plurality of wireless devices from a host disposed in the plant automation network, such that the host accesses the plurality of wired devices and the plurality of wireless devices using a common communication scheme.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of providing a wireless extension to a plant automation network connected to a plurality of wired devices, each wired device performing a process control function, the method comprising:
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connecting a plurality of wireless devices to the plant automation network, each of the plurality of wireless devices adapted to communicate with at least another one of the plurality of wireless devices via at least one respective wireless connection; and providing access to each of the plurality of wireless devices from a host disposed in the plant automation network, wherein the host accesses the plurality of wired devices and the plurality of wireless devices using a common communication scheme. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of forming a combined wired and wireless network operating in a process control environment by extending a wired network having a plurality of wired field devices, the method comprising:
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connecting a wireless gateway to the wired network via a first wired connection; adding a first wireless device to the combined wired and wireless network, including; wirelessly connecting the first wireless device to a wireless gateway; and forming an independently operable wireless network having the first wireless device and the wireless gateway; adding a first one of the plurality of wired field devices to the wireless network, including; connecting the first one of the plurality of wired field devices to a wireless adapter via a second wired connection; and connecting the wireless adapter to the wireless network via a wireless connection. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of forming a combined wired and wireless network operating in a process control environment by extending a wired network having a plurality of wired field devices, the method comprising:
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connecting a plurality of wireless network access points to the wired network via a respective wired connection; adding a plurality of wireless devices to the combined wired and wireless network, including; wirelessly connecting each of the plurality of wireless devices to at least one of the wireless plurality of wireless network access points; forming an independently operable wireless network including the plurality of wireless devices and the plurality of wireless network access points; and connecting each of the plurality of wireless network access points to a virtual gateway operating outside the wireless network and outside the wired network;
wherein the virtual gateway is a software module running on a processor. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification