Field Device Comprising Two Processors

• US 20100256921A1
• Filed: 03/17/2010
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VEGA Grieshaber KG (Grieshaber Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH)
• Original Assignee: VEGA Grieshaber KG (Grieshaber Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH)
• Inventors: Kopp, Manfred, Rauer, Winfried, Schaetzle, Ralf, Gaiser, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 8,321,155 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/23
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/284 Electromagnetic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level

Abstract

A field device for measuring the filling level, the pressure or the density of a medium in a container is described. The field device comprises two processors that are separate from each other. The first processor corresponds to a lower safety standard while the second processor corresponds to a higher safety standard. Functions of the field device that are directed towards safety are carried out in the second processor. Functions that are less critical to safety are carried out in the first processor. Data exchange between the two processors is controlled by way of an operating system.

Claims

1. An electronics unit for at least one of a filling level measuring, a pressure measuring and a density measuring of a medium in a container, comprising:

a first processor; and

a second processor;

wherein the unit is designed to carry out a first function which is critical to safety and a second function which is not critical to safety;

wherein the first processor is designed to carry out only the second function, the second processor being designed to carry out the first function.

2. The electronics unit according to claim 1, wherein the unit is designed for operation also without the second processor.

3. The electronics unit according to claim 1, wherein the first processor and the second processor are designed for mutual data exchange.

4. The electronics unit according to claim 3, further comprising:

a real-time operating system “

(RTOS”

) meeting safety requirements of the electronics unit, the RTOC being designed to control the data exchange between the first and second processors.

5. The electronics unit according to claim 1, wherein the first and second processors are separated from each other in such a way that data in a storage device of the second processor is independent of data in a storage device of the first processor.

6. The electronics unit according to claim 1, wherein the first function is selected from a group comprising (a) measured value determination based on sensor measuring data;

(b) derivation of further measured values based on already determined measured values;

(c) output of measured values; and

(d) diagnosis.

7. The electronics unit according to claim 1, wherein the second function is selected from a group comprising (a) an establishment of a connection to an external communication unit;

(b) a recording of measured values with status information relating to the time;

(c) a measured value display; and

(d) value setting in the field device

8. The electronics unit according to claim 1, wherein the unit forms part of one of a filling level sensor, a pressure measuring device and a density measuring device.

9. The electronics unit according to claim 8 wherein the unit is adapted for communication with an external communication unit using one of a Profibus standard and a Foundation Fieldbus standard, wherein the second processor implements first layers of communication that are critical to safety, and wherein the first processor implements second layers of communication that are not critical to safety.

10. The electronics unit according to claim 1, wherein the unit forms part of one of an evaluation device and a display and operating device.

11. The electronics unit according to claim 1, wherein the second processor comprises a data storage device for storing program modules, wherein the data storage device is divided into at least one first region and at least one second storage region, the first and second regions being separate from each other, wherein the first region store a first program module which is required for a safe operation of the field device and is classified as being critical to safety, and wherein the second region stores the data that is provided for transmission to the first processor.

12. A method for measuring and determining one of a filling level, a pressure and a density of a medium in a container using a field device, comprising:

carrying out only a first function of the field device which is not critical to safety using a first processor; and

carrying out a second function of the field device which is critical to safety using a second processor.

13. A program element for measuring and determining one of a filling level, a pressure and a density of a medium in a container using a field device, the program element when executed on first and second processors of the field device instructs the first and second processors to carry out the following steps:

carrying out only a first function of the field device which is not critical to safety using the first processor; and

carrying out a second function of the field device which is critical to safety using the second processor.

14. A computer-readable medium on which a program element for measuring and determining one of a filling level, a pressure and a density of a medium in a container using a field device is stored, the program element when executed on first and second processors of the field device instructs the first and second processors to carry out the following steps:

carrying out only a first function of the field device which is not critical to safety using the first processor; and

carrying out a second function of the field device which is critical to safety using a the processor.