Process Control System Using Wireless Communication Links

• US 20100074156A1
• Filed: 11/24/2009
• Published: 03/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Tapperson, Gary, Boyd, Thomas Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 8,184,562 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/310
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31122 Bridge between networks
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31162 Wireless lan
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31251 Redundant access, wireless and hardware access to fielddevices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

Field devices or other devices within a process control system are provided with both hardwired and wireless communication ports to enable communications to be performed within the process control system using one or both of hardwired and wireless communications. In particular, a field device for use in a process control system within a process control environment includes a microprocessor-based communication unit adapted to generate or receive communication signals, a first communication port adapted to be connected to a hardwired communication link for providing communications to or from the communication unit via the hardwired communication link and a second communication port adapted to be connected to a wireless transceiver to provide wireless communications to or from the communication unit via the wireless transceiver.

Claims

1. A field device for use in a process control system within a process control environment, comprising:

a microprocessor-based communication unit adapted to generate or receive communication signals;

a first communication port adapted to be connected to a hardwired communication link for providing communications to or from the communication unit via the hardwired communication link; and

a second communication port adapted to be connected to a wireless transceiver to provide wireless communications to or from the communication unit via the wireless transceiver.

2. The field device of claim 1, wherein the first communication port and the second communication port are adapted to communicate signals using the same communication protocol.

3. The field device of claim 2, wherein the same communication protocol comprises a fieldbus communication protocol.

4. The field device of claim 2, wherein the same communication protocol comprises a HART communication protocol.

5. The field device of claim 2, wherein the same communication protocol comprises a digital communication protocol.

6. The field device of claim 1, further including a sensing unit that measures a physical parameter within the process control environment and wherein the communication unit sends a sense signal indicating the measured physical parameter.

7. The field device of claim 1, further including a control unit that performs a physical control function within the process control environment and wherein the communication unit receives a control signal from one of the first communication port or the second communication port indicating the physical control function to be performed within the process control environment.

8. The field device of claim 1, wherein the communication unit is adapted to create a status signal indicative of a condition associated with the field device.

9. The field device of claim 8, wherein the status signal includes at least one of a diagnostic signal, an identity signal, and a calibration signal.

10. The field device of claim 1, further including an input/output device for transferring signals between a control unit and one or more field devices within the process control environment.

11. A field device for use in a process control system within a process control environment, comprising:

a communication unit adapted to generate or receive communication signals;

a first communication port adapted to be connected to a hardwired communication link for providing communications to or from the communication unit via the hardwired communication link;

a second communication port; and

a wireless transceiver connected to the second communication port to provide communications to or from the communication unit via a wireless communication link.

12. The field device of claim 11, wherein the communication unit comprises a microprocessor.

13. The field device of claim 11, wherein the first communication port and the second communication port are adapted to communicate signals using the same communication protocol.

14. The field device of claim 11, wherein the first communication port and the second communication port are adapted to communicate the same signal in a redundant manner.

15. The field device of claim 11, wherein the first communication port and the second communication port are adapted to communicate different signals in a non-redundant manner.

16. The field device of claim 15, wherein the first communication port is adapted to communicate a sense signal indicative of a measured parameter or a control signal indicative of a control action, and the second communication port is adapted to communicate a status signal indicative of a secondary function within the field device.

17. The field device of claim 15, wherein the second communication port is adapted to communicate a sense signal indicative of a measured parameter or a control signal indicative of a control action, and the first communication port is adapted to communicate a status signal indicative of a secondary function within the field device.

18. The field device of claim 11, wherein the second communication port transmits a power signal received via the first communication port to the wireless transceiver.

19. An input/output communication device for use in a process control system within a process control environment, comprising:

a first communication port adapted to be connected via a first hardwired communication link to a controller for providing communications to or from the controller via the first hardwired communication link;

a second communication port adapted to be connected via a second hardwired communication link to one or more field devices disposed within the process control environment for providing communications to or from the one or more field devices via the second hardwired communication link;

a third communication port; and

a wireless transceiver connected to the third communication port to provide communications to and from the input/output communication device via a wireless communication link.

20. The input/output communication device of claim 19, wherein the first and second communication ports are adapted to transmit signals via the first and second hardwired communication links using different communication protocols.