Method for transmitting a software code from a control unit to a field device of process automation technology

• US 8,060,872 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2004
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Endress+Hauser Process Solutions AG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Original Assignee: Endress+Hauser Process Solutions AG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Inventors: Da Silva Neto, Eugenio Ferreira
• Primary Examiner(s): DENG, ANNA CHEN
• Application Number:
  US10/549,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20070067767A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,792 Days
• Field of Search: 717/168, 717/172, 717/174, 717/177, 710/15
• US Class Current: 717/177
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23299 Remote load of program, through fieldbus
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25014 Fieldbus general name of bus connected to machines, detectors, actuators
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25428 Field device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

A method for transmitting a software code from a control unit to a field device of process automation technology. The inventive method is characterized in that the software code is integrated into a software module which encapsulates data and functions of the field device and which requires an operator control program for field devices as the runtime environment and which establishes the communication link with the field device.

Claims

1. A method for transferring software code from a control unit to a field device of process automation technology, comprising the steps of:

integrating the software code in a software module, which represents the software driver of the field device and which encapsulates data and functions of the field device and requires, as runtime environment, an operating program for field devices, wherein the software module is provided in the form of a DTM (device type manager) according to FDT (Field Device Tool)-Specifications, and the operating program serves as a FDT-frame application;

establishing a communication connection with the operating program and the field device via the FDT-frame application;

checking an authenticity of said DTM by a function-block shell installed in the field device, wherein if said DTM is a DTM certified by a manufacturer;

transferring the software code via the communication connection to the field device; and

executing the software code with the field device by using the function-block shell, wherein the function-block shell represents an application program interface between a fieldbus stack and function-block applications, and parameters of the function-block, which is composed of a function-block user interface and function-block software code, are changed via the function-block user interface.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the software code corresponds to a function block.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said function block is provided in the form of a function block according to Foundation Fieldbus Specifications.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said function block includes algorithms, parameters or methods of the field device.