Method of selecting data communication provider in a field device
First Claim
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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.
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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.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of transmitting data from a field device, the method including:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification