Data transmission method for a multi-protocol handheld field maintenance tool

• US 7,027,952 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2003
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Vande Vusse, Daniel E., Dewey, Alan R., Opheim, Gregory J., Yang, Kun, DelaCruz, Moises A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sun, Xiuqin
• Application Number:
  US10/440,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20040073402A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 702/183, 702/188, 455/557, 315/224, 700/79, 700/2, 700/26, 700/37, 370/352, 706/25, 709/201, 713/1, 714/34
• US Class Current: 702/183
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4183 characterised by data acquisition, e.g. workpiece identification
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25151 Check appropriate protocol voltage levels
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31129 Universal interface for different fieldbus protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36159 Detachable or portable programming unit, display, pc, pda
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0213 Modular or universal configuration of the monitoring system, e.g. monitoring system having modules that may be combined to build monitoring program; monitoring system that can be applied to legacy systems; adaptable monitoring system; using different communication protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40006 Architecture of a communication node current supply arrangements H04L12/10; intermediate storage or scheduling H04L49/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/4026 Bus for use in automation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/06 Management of faults, events, alarms or notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/18 Protocol analysers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A method for preventing unsafe transmission on an incompatible network with a multi-protocol intrinsically safe handheld field maintenance tool as provided. The method preferably includes checking voltage levels on two sets of network connections when a network connection is detected or indicated on one set. If incompatible voltage levels are detected, the field technician is warned. If voltage levels are appropriate on a selected set of network terminals, the method continues by listening for network traffic of the selected network type. In this manner, a multi-protocol intrinsically safe handheld field maintenance tool is operable with multiple process control communication protocols while minimizing the risk of incompatible data/signal transmission upon process communication loops.

Claims

1. A method of selectably communicating on a process communication loop with a multi-protocol handheld field maintenance tool having first and second sets of loop connection terminals, the method comprising:

receiving a technician selection of a loop type corresponding to a loop type relative to the first set;

measuring a voltage across the second set;

providing a warning to the technician if a non-zero voltage is measured across the second set.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected loop type is HART.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected loop type is FOUNDATION Fieldbus.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is started when the tool is connected to a process communication loop.

4. A method of selectably communicating on a process communication loop with a multi-protocol handheld field maintenance tool having first and second sets of loop connection terminals, the method comprising:

receiving a technician indication of a selected loop type corresponding to a loop type relative to the first set;

measuring a voltage across the first set;

providing a warning to the technician if a substantially zero voltage is measured across the first set.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the selected loop type is HART.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the selected loop type is FOUNDATION Fieldbus.

8. A method of selectably communicating on a process communication loop with a multi-protocol handheld field maintenance tool having first and second sets of loop connection terminals, the method comprising:

receiving a technician indication of a selected loop type corresponding to a loop type relative to the first set;

measuring a first voltage across the second set;

measuring a second voltage across the first set if the first voltage is substantially zero;

listening to loop traffic if the measured second voltage accords with the technician indication; and

communicating on the process control loop if network traffic is detected.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the selected loop type is HART.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the selected loop type is FOUNDATION Fieldbus.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the method is started when the tool is connected to a process communication loop.

12. A method of selectably communicating on a process communication loop with a multi-protocol handheld field maintenance tool having first and second sets of loop connection terminals, the method comprising:

receiving a technician indication of a selected loop type corresponding to a loop type relative to the first set;

measuring a first voltage across the second set;

measuring a second voltage across the first set if the first voltage is substantially zero;

listening to loop traffic if the measured second voltage accords with the technician indication; and

providing an error indication to the technician if no network traffic of the selected loop type is detected.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

allowing the technician to begin network communication notwithstanding the lack of traffic.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the selected loop type is HART.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the selected loop type is FOUNDATION Fieldbus.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the method is started when the tool is connected to a process communication loop.