Method of selecting data communication provider in a field device

• US 7,869,805 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2006
• Issued: 01/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Ostby, Philip G., Schnaare, Theodore H., Sierra, Gabriel L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr.; Timothy
• Application Number:
  US11/441,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20060267792A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,691 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02, 340/870.07, 709/223, 455/414.1, 455/414.3, 455/226.2, 379/106.3, 379/114.02
• US Class Current: 455/434
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/30 using a wired architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/86 Performing a diagnostic of the sensing device
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for allowing a field device to select a data communication provider among a plurality of available data communication providers. Preferably, the method includes periodically, or selectively, assessing the strengths and efficacy of data communication on one or more alternate data communication providers. The data communication provider with the strongest signal and/or most effective data communication is selected for use by the field device. Preferably, the field device logs events where it switches among data communication providers.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting data from a field device, the method including:

obtaining process variable information;

selectively determining data communication signal strength of a plurality of data communication providers available to the field device by only determining data communication signal strength of the plurality of providers if a signal strength of an initial data communication provider is below a certain threshold;

transmitting the process variable information over a selected one of the plurality of data communication providers based at least in part upon the signal strength of the selected data communication provider;

storing event information related to connecting to the selected data communication provider wherein event information is accumulated to provide a statistical history of communication using any of the data communication providers;

analyzing the statistical history by performing at least one statistical operation on the history; and

wherein selection of the selected data communication provider is based, in part, upon the statistical operation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs cellular telephone communications.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs communications in accordance with IEEE 802.11b.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs communications in accordance with IEEE 802.11g.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs communications in accordance with IEEE 802.16.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs communications in accordance with Bluetooth.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs satellite communications.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the data communications providers employs communication in accordance with IEEE 802.15.4.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the data communication providers employs communications over a wired communication medium.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the wired communication medium includes a process control loop.