Apparatus and method for wireless process control
First Claim
1. An apparatus for wireless process control, comprising:
- a programmable logic controller capable of at least one of;
receiving first input data from at least one device in a process control system and providing output data to the at least one device in the process control system, the programmable logic controller also capable of executing compiled code, the process control system associated with a process;
a wireless radio capable of communicating over a wireless network;
a memory capable of storing source code corresponding to the compiled code; and
a processor capable of receiving second input data associated with the process and providing the second input data to the wireless radio for transmission over the wireless network without placing a processing burden on the programmable logic controller;
wherein the second input data is received by the wireless radio over the wireless network, and the processor is capable of providing the second input data to the wireless radio for transmission to provide a repeater function in the wireless network.
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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
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus for wireless process control, comprising:
a programmable logic controller capable of at least one of;
receiving first input data from at least one device in a process control system and providing output data to the at least one device in the process control system, the programmable logic controller also capable of executing compiled code, the process control system associated with a process;a wireless radio capable of communicating over a wireless network; a memory capable of storing source code corresponding to the compiled code; and a processor capable of receiving second input data associated with the process and providing the second input data to the wireless radio for transmission over the wireless network without placing a processing burden on the programmable logic controller; wherein the second input data is received by the wireless radio over the wireless network, and the processor is capable of providing the second input data to the wireless radio for transmission to provide a repeater function in the wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for wireless process control, comprising:
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executing compiled code at a programmable logic controller, the programmable logic controller forming part of or associated with a first controller in a process control system, the process control system associated with a process being controlled; storing source code corresponding to the compiled code in a memory of the first controller; and receiving input data associated with the process at a processor in the first controller and wirelessly communicating the input data to a second controller over a wireless network without placing a processing burden on the programmable logic controller, the controllers capable of controlling at least one device in the process control system; wherein the input data is received over the wireless network and is wirelessly communicated to the second controller to provide a repeater function in the wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for wireless process control, comprising:
a plurality of devices associated with a process and 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; anda 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 at least one of the devices 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 wireless radio capable of communicating with at least one other of the controllers over a wireless network; and a processor capable of receiving second input data associated with the process and providing the second input data to the wireless radio for transmission to at least one other of the controllers over the wireless network without placing a processing burden on the programmable logic controller; wherein the second input data is received over the wireless network and the processor is capable of providing the second input data to the wireless radio for transmission to provide a repeater function in the wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. An apparatus, comprising:
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a processor capable of communicating with an external programmable logic controller, the programmable logic controller capable of at least one of;
receiving input data from at least one device in a process control system and providing output data to the at least one device in the process control system, the programmable logic controller also capable of executing compiled code, the process control system associated with a process being controlled;a wireless radio capable of communicating over a wireless network; and a memory capable of storing source code corresponding to the compiled code; wherein the processor is further capable of receiving second input data associated with the process and providing the second input data to the wireless radio for transmission over the wireless network without placing a processing burden on the programmable logic controller; and wherein the second input data is received over the wireless network and the processor is capable of providing the second input data to the wireless radio for transmission to provide a repeater function in the wireless network.
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Specification