Wireless architecture and support for process control systems

• US 9,264,973 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2012
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Shepard, John R., Nelson, Joe
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, CONGVAN
• Application Number:
  US13/407,074
• Publication Number:
  US 20120155317A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,449 Days
• Field of Search: 455423-425, 455436-439, 455442-444, 455/115.1, 455/115.3, 4551611-1613, 370331-332, 370/334, 370/252
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21079 Allocate at start up also to each controlled device a code for the master
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25061 Configuration stored in central database
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25101 Detect connected module, load corresponding parameters, variables into module
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31121 Fielddevice, field controller, interface connected to fieldbus
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31123 Multi mode network controller, monitor, control, configuration, maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31151 Lan local area network
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33192 Radio link, wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/24 Connectivity information management, e.g. connectivity discovery or connectivity update
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/80 Management or planning

Abstract

A wireless communication system for use in a process environment uses mesh and possibly a combination of mesh and point-to-point communications to produce a wireless communication network that can be easily set up, configured, changed and monitored, thereby making a wireless communication network that is less expensive, and more robust and reliable. The wireless communication system allows virtual communication paths to be established and used within the process control system in a manner that is independent of the manner in which the wireless signals are sent between different wireless transmitting and receiving devices within the process plant. Still further, communication analysis tools are provided to enable a user or operator to view the operation of the wireless communication network to thereby analyze the ongoing operation of the wireless communications within the wireless communication network.

Claims

1. A wireless communication network disposed in a process control system, the wireless communication network comprising:

a communication node implementing wireless communications within the wireless communication network;

a host including a display, the host communicatively coupled to the communication node; and

a measuring device communicatively coupled to the host device through the communication node, the measuring device measuring one or more environmental parameters of the physical environment in which the wireless communication network operates, which environmental parameters may affect the quality of the wireless communications within the wireless communication network,

wherein the host determines one or more operational characteristics indicative of the quality of the wireless communications within the wireless communication network that may be affected by the one or more measured environmental parameters, and

wherein the host displays the one or more operational characteristics on the display.

2. The wireless communication network of claim 1, wherein the communication node is a first communication node, wherein the wireless communication network further comprises a second communication node, and wherein one of the one or more operational characteristics includes an indication of a direct wireless communication capability between the first communication node and the second communication node.

3. The wireless communication network of claim 2, wherein the indicated wireless communication capability is direct two-way communication capability between the first communication node and the second communication node.

4. The wireless communication network of claim 2, wherein the indicated wireless communication capability is direct one-way communication capability between the first communication node and the second communication node.

5. The wireless communication network of claim 2, wherein the indicated wireless communication capability is indirect communication between the first communication node and the second communication node using at least one additional communication node.

6. The wireless communication network of claim 1, wherein the host includes an operator interface, and wherein the operator interface allows an operator to change one or more operational parameters of the wireless communication network which may affect the one or more operational characteristics.

7. The wireless communication network of claim 6, wherein the communication node is a first communication node, wherein the wireless communication network further comprises a second communication node, and wherein the one or more operational parameters includes a signal strength of a signal communicated between the first communication node and the second communication node.

8. The wireless communication network of claim 6, wherein the communication node is a first communication node, wherein the wireless communication network further comprises a second communication node, and wherein the one or more operational parameters includes a gain applied to a signal communicated between the first communication node and the second communication node.

9. The wireless communication network of claim 6, wherein the communication node is a first communication node, wherein the wireless communication network further comprises a second communication node, and wherein the one or more operational parameters includes a frequency of a signal communicated between the first communication node and the second communication node.

10. The wireless communication network of claim 1, wherein the measuring device is a first measuring device, wherein the wireless communication network further comprises a second measuring device communicatively coupled to the communication node, wherein the second measuring device measures, at a location distinct from the first measuring device, at least one of the one or more environmental parameters which may affect the quality of the wireless communications within the wireless communication network, and wherein the host determines the one or more operational characteristics based on data received from the first and second measuring devices.