Self-configuring communication networks for use with process control systems
First Claim
1. A method of establishing a communication network for use in a process control system having a controller and a plurality of wireless enabled field devices, the method comprising:
- identifying a plurality of wireless communication links available for routing communications between the wireless enabled field devices and the controller, wherein each of the wireless enabled field devices is at least one of a sensor or an actuator; and
automatically assigning at least first and second ones of the plurality of wireless communication links to a first one of the wireless enabled field devices based on at least one predetermined signal criterion, wherein the first wireless communication link wirelessly communicatively couples the first wireless enabled field device to a second wireless device, and wherein the second wireless communication link wirelessly communicatively couples the second wireless device to the controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein are methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for configuring a communication network associated with a plurality of wireless enabled field devices. A disclosed example method of establishing a communication network for use in a process control system having a controller and a plurality of wireless enabled field devices involves identifying a plurality of wireless communication links available for routing communications between the wirless enabled field devices and the controller. Each of the wireless enabled field devices is at least one of a sensor or an actuator. The example method also involves automatically assigning at least first and second ones of the plurality of wireless communication links to a first one of the wireless enabled field devices based on at least one predetermined signal criterion. The first wireless communication link wirelessly communicatively couples the first wireless enabled field device to a second wireless device. In addition, the second wireless communication link wirelessly communicatively couples the second wireless device to the controller.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of establishing a communication network for use in a process control system having a controller and a plurality of wireless enabled field devices, the method comprising:
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identifying a plurality of wireless communication links available for routing communications between the wireless enabled field devices and the controller, wherein each of the wireless enabled field devices is at least one of a sensor or an actuator; and automatically assigning at least first and second ones of the plurality of wireless communication links to a first one of the wireless enabled field devices based on at least one predetermined signal criterion, wherein the first wireless communication link wirelessly communicatively couples the first wireless enabled field device to a second wireless device, and wherein the second wireless communication link wirelessly communicatively couples the second wireless device to the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for establishing a communication network for use in a process control system having a controller and a plurality of wireless enabled field devices, the system comprising:
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a memory; a processor coupled to the memory and programmed to; identify a plurality of wireless communication links available for routing communications between the wireless enabled field devices and the controller, wherein each of the wireless enabled field devices is at least one of a sensor or an actuator; and assign at least first and second ones of the plurality of wireless communication links to a first one of the wireless enabled field devices based on at least one predetermined signal criterion, wherein the first wireless communication link wirelessly communicatively couples the first wireless enabled field device to a second wireless device, and wherein the second wireless communication link wirelessly communicatively couples the second wireless device to the controller. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer readable medium having computer executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause a computer to:
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identify a plurality of wireless communication links available for routing communications between a plurality of wireless enabled field devices and a controller, wherein each of the wireless enabled field devices is at least one of a sensor or an actuator; and assign at least first and second ones of a plurality of the wireless communication links to at least a first one of the wireless enabled field devices based on at least one predetermined signal criterion, wherein the first wireless communication link wirelessly communicatively couples the first wireless enabled field device to a second wireless device, and wherein the second wireless communication link wirelessly communicatively couples the second wireless device to the controller. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A wireless interface for use with a field device, comprising:
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a wireless transceiver; a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and programmed to; identify wireless communication links available to the field device; select at least first and second ones of the available wireless communication links based on at least one predetermined signal characteristic; wirelessly exchange at least one of sensor measurement information or actuator control information with the field device via the first wireless communication link; and wirelessly exchange the at least one of the sensor measurement information or the actuator information with a controller via the second wireless communication link. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification