Configuring and optimizing a wireless mesh network

• US 9,730,078 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2008
• Issued: 08/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Lucas, John M., Nixon, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PANCHOLI, RINA C
• Application Number:
  US12/201,734
• Publication Number:
  US 20090059814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,266 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/122 by minimising distances, e.g. by selecting a route with minimum of number of hops
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/18 Network planning tools
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/10 based on available power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/16 based on interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

An interactive software-based network design tool that may be used to simulate and view the operation of a wireless mesh device network used in a process plant, such as a wireless HART device network, allows a user to create a model of a wireless network, input several design requirements, and automatically generate and view communication routes and schedules for the wireless network. The network design tool provides an interactive graphic interface for the addition, removal, and positioning of nodes and devices within the wireless network and a menu including several interactive screens for specifying threshold values, network topology selections, routing preferences, and other configuration parameters related to generating and optimizing communication routes and schedules within the wireless mesh network. The network design tool automatically applies a set of optimization rules along with the parameters input by user to the network model in order to generate efficient network configuration data.

Claims

1. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having a set of instructions stored thereon, wherein the set of instructions, when executed on a processor, implement a communication modeling system, the system comprising:

an output module that provides network configuration data as an output, the network configuration data including a communication schedule for a plurality of devices coupled to a wireless communication network;

an interface module (i) to receive input data provided by a user that describes the plurality of devices coupled to the wireless communication network without describing a timing of communications between the plurality of devices, and (ii) to store the input data on a computer-readable medium,

the plurality of devices including one or more field devices configured to perform control or measurement functions for a process controlled within a process control plant, and

the wireless communication network communicatively coupled to a plant automation network of the process control plant; and

an engine module communicatively coupled to the interface module to generate the network configuration data using the input data and a set of rules associated with a wireless communication scheme, wherein the network configuration data is used to configure the wireless communication network;

wherein the generated network configuration data includes the communication schedule, wherein the communication schedule is generated according to the input data provided by the user and defines the timing of communications between the plurality of devices.

2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the input data includes geographic information related to at least some of the plurality of devices, wherein the geographic information is indicative of a physical location of one of the plurality of devices relative to at least another one of the plurality of devices.

3. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the input data includes a device type for at least one of the plurality of devices;

wherein the at least of the one of the plurality of devices is one of;

a one of the one or more field devices;

a router device that routes data between at least two of the plurality of devices without consuming or originating process control data;

a gateway device that connects the wireless communication network to an external host;

or

a wireless access point that communicates with at least another of the plurality of devices in a wireless manner and with a gateway device in a wired manner.

4. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the input data includes at least one of the following for at least one of the plurality of devices:

a burst rate corresponding to a rate of reporting measurements associated with process control to another one of the plurality of devices;

a power supply type corresponding to one of a permanent power source or a non-permanent power source supplying power to the at least one of the plurality of devices;

or

a signal strength corresponding to a strength of a radio signal transmitted from the at least one of the plurality of devices.

5. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication scheme corresponds to a wireless Highway Addressable Remote Transmitter (HART®

) communication protocol that shares a common application layer with a wired HART communication protocol used by the plant automation network.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the network configuration data further includes a routing scheme defining a set of communication routes between the plurality of devices;

wherein the input data includes geographic information for each of the plurality of devices; and

wherein the engine module includes;

a graph generator to define direct wireless connections between pairs of the plurality of devices as a part of the routing scheme using the geographic information.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the network configuration data further includes a routing scheme defining a set of communication routes between the plurality of devices;

wherein each communication route in the set of communication routes includes a directed graph connecting a pair of the plurality of devices via one or several direct wireless connections;

wherein the engine module includes;

a graph generator to generate a set of directed graphs using the input data.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the interface module includes:

a parameter selection routine to specify at least one of;

a maximum number of intermediate devices to be associated with each one of the set of directed graphs;

a maximum number of devices to consider as candidates for establishing a direct wireless connection to any one of the plurality of devices;

or

a signal strength difference value for selecting between a first communication path connecting a pair of the plurality of devices and having a first number of intermediate devices and a second communication path connecting the pair of the plurality of devices having a second number of intermediate devices greater than the first number, wherein the signal strength difference corresponds to an amount by which signal strength associated of the second communication path must exceed signal strength associated with the first communication path to prefer the second communication path to the first communication path.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the engine module includes:

an Extended Mark-up Language (XML) generator to generate an XML description of the communication schedule.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of devices communicates wirelessly with at least another one of the plurality of devices along a corresponding direct wireless connection;

and wherein the engine module comprises;

a schedule generator to allocate a plurality of timeslots associated with a plurality of communication channels to the plurality of direct wireless connections as a part of the communication schedule.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the engine module uses the input data to generate a network model;

wherein the network model includes a plurality of nodes each corresponding to one of the plurality of devices; and

wherein the interface module includes;

a node addition routine to add a node to the plurality of nodes;

a node removal routine to remove a node from the plurality of nodes; and

a node positioning routine to associate one of the plurality of nodes with a geographical position relative to at least another one of the plurality of nodes;

wherein each of the node addition routine, the node removal routine, and the node positioning routine is responsive to user input.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the engine module uses the input data to generate a network model;

and wherein the interface module communicates with an input device to receive user commands to edit the network model; and

wherein the output module interacts with a display device to render a representation of the network model thereon.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the engine module defines a set of direct wireless connections between pairs of the plurality of devices using the input data;

and wherein the interface module includes;

a graphical user interface (GUI) routine to display the plurality of devices as a plurality of nodes interconnected by the set of direct connections.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the input data includes information indicative of a physical location of a first one of the plurality of devices and a second one of the plurality of devices;

and wherein the engine module estimates a quality of a wireless signal transmitted from the first one of the plurality of devices and measured at the second one of the plurality of devices using the physical location information of the first one of the plurality of devices and the second one of the plurality of devices.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the interface module is a first interface module, and wherein the system further comprises:

a second interface module to receive live performance data from the wireless communication network;

wherein the engine module generates the network configuration data further using the live performance data.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the live performance data includes a measurement related to at least one of:

a signal strength at one of the plurality of devices;

or

a delay associated with propagating a message from a first one of the plurality of devices to a second one of the plurality of devices.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the generated network configuration data further includes:

a routing scheme, generated according to the input data provided by the user, including a selection of a set of wireless links between pairs of the plurality of devices in view of wireless link quality and a definition of a set of communication routes between the plurality of devices.

18. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having a set of instructions stored thereon, wherein the set of instructions, when executed on a processor, implement a communication modeling system, the system comprising:

an interface module (i) to receive input data provided by a user describing a plurality of devices coupled to a wireless communication network and (ii) to store the input data on a computer-readable medium,

the plurality of devices including one or more field devices configured to perform control or measurement functions for a process controlled within a process control plant, and

the wireless communication network communicatively coupled to a plant automation network of the process control plant; and

an engine module communicatively coupled to the interface module to generate network configuration data using the input data and a set of rules associated with a wireless communication scheme, wherein the network configuration data is used to configure the wireless communication network;

wherein the generated network configuration data includes;

a communication schedule, generated according to the input data provided by the user, that defines a timing of communications between the

plurality of devices; and

the system further comprising;

an output module that provides the network configuration data as an output;

wherein the engine module uses the input data to generate a network model;

wherein the network model includes a plurality of nodes each corresponding to one of the plurality of devices; and

wherein the interface module includes;

a node addition routine to add a node to the plurality of nodes;

a node removal routine to remove a node from the plurality of nodes;

a node positioning routine to associate one of the plurality of nodes with a geographical position relative to at least another one of the plurality of nodes;

wherein each of the node addition routine, the node removal routine, and the node positioning routine is responsive to user input;

a power source type selection routine to associate a specified one of the plurality of nodes with one of a first type of a power source or a second type of a power source; and

a power factor selection routine to associate the first type with a first value of a power factor and the second type with a second value of the power factor; and

wherein the engine module includes;

a graph generator to generate a set of directed graphs using the power factor associated with each of the plurality of devices.

19. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having a set of instructions stored thereon, wherein the set of instructions, when executed on a processor, implement a communication modeling system, the system comprising:

an interface module (i) to receive input data provided by a user describing a plurality of devices coupled to a wireless communication network and (ii) to store the input data on a computer-readable medium,

the plurality of devices including one or more field devices configured to perform control or measurement functions for a process controlled within a process control plant, and

the wireless communication network communicatively coupled to a plant automation network of the process control plant; and

an engine module communicatively coupled to the interface module to generate network configuration data using the input data and a set of rules associated with a wireless communication scheme, wherein the network configuration data is used to configure the wireless communication network;

wherein the generated network configuration data includes;

a communication schedule, generated according to the input data provided by the user, that defines a timing of communications between the plurality of devices; and

the system further comprising;

an output module that provides the network configuration data as an output;

wherein the engine module uses the input data to generate a network model;

wherein the network model includes a plurality of nodes each corresponding to one of the plurality of devices; and

wherein the interface module includes;

a node addition routine to add a node to the plurality of nodes;

a node removal routine to remove a node from the plurality of nodes;

a node positioning routine to associate one of the plurality of nodes with a geographical position relative to at least another one of the plurality of nodes;

wherein each of the node addition routine, the node removal routine, and the node positioning routine is responsive to user input; and

a topology selection routine to select a topology for the plurality of nodes including a mesh configuration, star configuration, or a mesh star configuration;

wherein the engine module defines direct wireless connections between pairs of the plurality of devices to generate a routing scheme of the wireless communication network in accordance with the selected topology.

20. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having a set of instructions stored thereon, wherein the set of instructions, when executed on a processor, implement a communication modeling system, the system comprising:

an interface module (i) to receive input data provided by a user describing a plurality of devices coupled to a wireless communication network and (ii) to store the input data on a computer-readable medium,

the plurality of devices including one or more field devices configured to perform control or measurement functions for a process controlled within a process control plant, and

the wireless communication network communicatively coupled to a plant automation network of the process control plant; and

an engine module communicatively coupled to the interface module to generate network configuration data using the input data and a set of rules associated with a wireless communication scheme, wherein the network configuration data is used to configure the wireless communication network;

wherein the generated network configuration data includes;

a communication schedule, generated according to the input data provided by the user, that defines a timing of communications between the plurality of devices; and

the system further comprising;

an output module that provides the network configuration data as an output;

wherein the engine module uses the input data to generate a network model;

wherein the network model includes a plurality of nodes each corresponding to one of the plurality of devices; and

wherein the interface module includes;

a node addition routine to add a node to the plurality of nodes;

a node removal routine to remove a node from the plurality of nodes;

a node positioning routine to associate one of the plurality of nodes with a geographical position relative to at least another one of the plurality of nodes;

wherein each of the node addition routine, the node removal routine, and the node positioning routine is responsive to user input; and

a threshold input routine to associate a specified one of the plurality of nodes with a threshold signal strength value; and

wherein the engine module includes;

a graph generator that defines a unidirectional wireless connection to the specified one of the plurality of nodes corresponding to a destination from another one of the plurality of nodes corresponding to a source only if a projected strength of a signal from the source to the destination exceeds the threshold signal strength.

21. A computer-implemented method of designing a wireless mesh communication network for a process control environment using network configuration data that includes a communication schedule for a plurality of wireless devices, the method comprising:

obtaining input data provided by a user, the input data descriptive of the plurality of wireless devices associated with the process control environment and coupled to the wireless mesh communication network but not descriptive of a timing of communications for the plurality of wireless devices, the plurality of wireless devices including at least one field device configured to perform a control function within a process or to perform a measurement of the process, the process being controlled within the process control environment, and the wireless mesh communication network communicatively coupled to a plant automation network of the process control environment; and

automatically applying a set of rules associated with a communication scheme to the input data to generate network configuration data used to configure the plurality of wireless devices to wirelessly communicate in the process control environment, including;

defining, according to the input data provided by the user, the communication schedule of the wireless mesh communication network, wherein the communication schedule defines the timing of communications for the plurality of wireless devices; and

the method further comprising;

providing the network configuration data as output.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein obtaining the input data for each of the plurality of wireless devices includes:

receiving a device type indication corresponding to one of a predefined types of a wireless device from the plurality of wireless devices; and

receiving a location indication corresponding to a physical location of the wireless device from the plurality of wireless devices relative to the plurality of devices.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein receiving the device type indication includes receiving the device type indication corresponding to one of:

the at least one field device, a router device that routes process control data originated by a first one of the plurality of devices and addressed to another one of the plurality of devices, a gateway device that connects the wireless mesh communication network to an external host, or a wireless access point that communicates with at least another of the plurality of devices in a wireless manner and with a gateway device in a wired manner.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein obtaining the input data for each of the plurality of wireless devices further includes:

receiving a power level indication corresponding to a power level of a wireless signal transmitted by the wireless device from the plurality of wireless devices.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein obtaining the input data includes:

providing a display interface to the user, comprising;

providing a canvass area on the display; and

providing an interactive menu having a plurality of user selectable functions including at least a first function to add a representation of a device to a selected location within the canvass area and a second function to remove a selected representation of a device from the canvass area.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein providing the interactive menu further includes providing a third function to add a representation of an obstacle to a selected location within the canvass area;

wherein the obstacle positioned between a first one of the plurality of devices and a second one of the plurality of devices attenuates a wireless signal transmitted between the first and second devices.

27. The method of claim 21, further comprising generating a set of graphs, including generating a set of directed graphs connecting pairs of the plurality of devices.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

displaying at least one of a graphical representation or a textual representation of the plurality of devices and of the set of directed graphs on a display interface.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein defining the communication schedule of the wireless mesh communication network includes allocating a plurality of timeslots associated with a set of wireless channels to the plurality of devices to define a communication schedule of the wireless mesh communication network.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein obtaining the input data for at least some of the plurality of devices includes:

obtaining a power level indication corresponding to a power level of a transmitted wireless signal; and

wherein

generating a set of directed graphs connecting pairs of the plurality of devices includes;

defining a plurality of direct wireless connections between pairs of the plurality of devices, comprising;

evaluating a plurality of potential direct wireless connections at each of the plurality of devices by calculating a strength of a signal received at each of the plurality of devices from another one of the plurality of devices using the corresponding power level indication; and

selecting direct wireless connections from the plurality of potential direct wireless connections based on at least the calculated strength of the signal; and

associating a subset of the plurality of direct wireless connections with each directed graph in the set of directed graphs.

31. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

receiving feedback data from the wireless mesh communication network; and

updating the generated network configuration data based on the received feedback data.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein receiving the feedback data includes receiving a set of measurements of data propagation delay in the wireless mesh communication network.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein receiving the feedback data includes receiving a set of signal strength measurements from at least some of the plurality of devices.

34. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

providing a display interface to the user;

receiving a design constraint from the display interface; and

wherein

the defining the communication schedule of the wireless mesh communication network includes defining the communication schedule of the wireless mesh communication network in view of the design constraint.

35. The method of claim 21, wherein automatically applying a set of rules associated with a communication scheme to the input data to generate network configuration data used to configure the plurality of wireless devices to wireles sly communicate in the process control environment further includes:

generating a set of graphs to define a routing scheme of the wireless mesh communication network.

36. A computer-implemented method of designing a wireless mesh communication network for a process control environment, the method comprising:

obtaining input data provided by a user and descriptive of a plurality of wireless devices associated with the process control environment and coupled to the wireless mesh communication network, the plurality of wireless devices including at least one field device configured to perform a control function within a process or to perform a measurement of the process, the process being controlled within the process control environment, and the wireless mesh communication network communicatively coupled to a plant automation network of the process control environment; and

automatically applying a set of rules associated with a communication scheme to the input data to generate network configuration data used to configure the plurality of wireless devices to wirelessly communicate in the process control environment, including;

defining, according to the input data provided by the user, a communication schedule of the wireless mesh communication network; and

the method further comprising;

providing the network configuration data as output;

wherein obtaining the input data for each of the plurality of wireless devices includes;

(i) receiving a device type indication corresponding to one of a predefined types of each of the plurality of wireless devices; and

(ii) receiving a location indication corresponding to a physical location of each of the plurality of wireless devices relative to the plurality of devices;

wherein obtaining the input data for each of the plurality of wireless devices further includes;

receiving a power source selection indicative of type of a power source that supplies power to the device.

37. A computer-implemented method of designing a wireless mesh communication network for a process control environment, the method comprising:

obtaining input data provided by a user and descriptive of a plurality of wireless devices associated with the process control environment and coupled to the wireless mesh communication network, the plurality of wireless devices including at least one field device configured to perform a control function within a process or to perform a measurement of the process, the process being controlled within the process control environment, and the wireless mesh communication network communicatively coupled to a plant automation network of the process control environment; and

automatically applying a set of rules associated with a communication scheme to the input data to generate network configuration data used to configure the plurality of wireless devices to wirelessly communicate in the process control environment, including;

defining, according to the input data provided by the user, a communication schedule of the wireless mesh communication network; and

the method further comprising;

providing the network configuration data as output;

wherein obtaining the input data includes;

(i) providing a display interface to the user,

(ii) providing a canvass area on the display; and

(iii) providing an interactive menu having a plurality of user selectable functions including at least a first function to add a representation of a particular device to a selected location within the canvass area and a second function to remove the representation of the particular device from the canvass area;

wherein providing the interactive menu further includes providing a third function to specify a rate at which the particular device originates process control data.

38. A computer-implemented method of designing a wireless mesh communication network for a process control environment, the method comprising:

obtaining input data provided by a user and descriptive of a plurality of wireless devices associated with the process control environment and coupled to the wireless mesh communication network, the plurality of wireless devices including at least one field device configured to perform a control function within a process or to perform a measurement of the process, the process being controlled within the process control environment, and the wireless mesh communication network communicatively coupled to a plant automation network of the process control environment; and

automatically applying a set of rules associated with a communication scheme to the input data to generate network configuration data used to configure the plurality of wireless devices to wirelessly communicate in the process control environment, including;

defining, according to the input data provided by the user, a communication schedule of the wireless mesh communication network; and

the method further comprising;

(i) providing the network configuration data as output; and

(ii) generating a set of graphs, including generating a set of directed graphs connecting pairs of the plurality of devices;

wherein the plurality of devices includes a gateway device to communicate with a host external to the wireless mesh communication network; and

wherein generating the set of directed graphs connecting pairs of the plurality of devices includes;

(a) generating a first set of upstream directed graphs connecting each of the plurality of devices with the gateway device; and

(b) generating a second set of downstream directed graphs connecting the gateway device to each of the plurality of devices.

39. A computer-implemented method of designing a wireless mesh communication network for a process control environment, the method comprising:

obtaining input data provided by a user and descriptive of a plurality of wireless devices associated with the process control environment and coupled to the wireless mesh communication network, the plurality of wireless devices including at least one field device configured to perform a control function within a process or to perform a measurement of the process, the process being controlled within the process control environment, and the wireless mesh communication network communicatively coupled to a plant automation network of the process control environment; and

automatically applying a set of rules associated with a communication scheme to the input data to generate network configuration data used to configure the plurality of wireless devices to wirelessly communicate in the process control environment, including;

defining, according to the input data provided by the user, a communication schedule of the wireless mesh communication network; and

the method further comprising;

providing the network configuration data as output;

the method further comprising;

(i) providing a display interface to the user; and

(ii) receiving a design constraint from the display interface;

wherein applying the set of rules to the input data includes generating a routing scheme and the communication schedule for the wireless mesh communication network in view of the design constraint;

wherein the design constraint includes one of a maximum number of intermediate devices associated with a directed graph connecting a pair of the plurality of devices;

a maximum number of devices having a direct wireless connection to any one of the plurality of devices;

or a minimum number of devices to consider at one of the plurality of devices when defining a directed graph from the one of the plurality of devices to another one of the plurality of devices.

40. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having a set of instructions stored thereon, wherein the set of instructions, when executed on a processor, implement a communication modeling system for designing a wireless communication network for a process control environment using network configuration data that includes a communication schedule for a plurality of wireless devices, the system comprising:

a user interface module to receive input data provided by a user, the input data descriptive of the plurality of wireless devices associated with the process control environment but not descriptive of a timing of communications of the plurality of wireless devices, the plurality of wireless devices coupled to the wireless communication network and including at least one field device configured to perform a control function within a process or to perform a measurement of the process, the process being controlled within the process control environment, and the wireless communication network coupled to a plant automation network of the process control environment; and

an engine module communicatively coupled to the user interface module to automatically generate network configuration data using the input data for the plurality of wireless devices;

wherein the network configuration data is used to configure the plurality of wireless devices and includes the communication schedule, and wherein the communication schedule is defined according to the input data provided by the user to define the timing of communication of the plurality of devices;

the engine module including;

a graph generator to define a plurality of direct wireless connections between pairs of the plurality of devices and to generate a set of directed graphs using the plurality of direct wireless connections; and

a schedule generator to associate a plurality of timeslots with a plurality of communication channels, and to allocate the plurality of timeslots to the plurality of direct wireless connections defined by the graph generator.

41. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein the wireless communication network applies a set of rules associated a wireless Highway Addressable Remote Transmitter (HART®

)communication protocol to generate the network configuration data, the wireless HART communication protocol sharing a common application layer with a wired HART communication protocol used by the plant automation network.

42. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein the input data descriptive of the plurality of devices includes:

data corresponding to the at least one field device; and

data corresponding to a gateway device communicatively coupled to an external host operating outside the wireless communication network.

43. The computer-readable medium of claim 42, wherein the user interface module includes a burst rate selection routine to associate a specified one of the plurality of devices with a rate of reporting measurements associated with process control to the gateway device.

44. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein the communication schedule includes:

a set of dedicated timeslots corresponding to an exclusive use by a pair of the plurality of devices on the corresponding communication channel; and

a set of shared timeslots corresponding to a shared use by two or more of the plurality of devices on the corresponding communication channel.

45. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein the generated network configuration data further includes:

a routing scheme defined according to the input data provided by the user as a set of communication paths connecting pairs of the plurality of devices.

46. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having a set of instructions stored thereon, wherein the set of instructions, when executed on a processor, implement a communication modeling system for designing a wireless communication network for a process control environment, the system comprising:

a user interface module to receive input data provided by a user and descriptive of a plurality of wireless devices associated with the process control environment and to store the input data on a computer-readable medium, the plurality of wireless devices coupled to the wireless communication network and including at least one field device configured to perform a control function within a process or to perform a measurement of the process, the process being controlled within the process control environment, and the wireless communication network coupled to a plant automation network of the process control environment; and

an engine module communicatively coupled to the user interface module to automatically generate network configuration data using the input data for the plurality of wireless devices;

wherein the network configuration data is used to configure the plurality of wireless devices and includes a communication schedule defined according to the input data provided by the user to define timing of communication of the plurality of devices;

the engine module including;

a graph generator to define a plurality of direct wireless connections between pairs of the plurality of devices and to generate a set of directed graphs using the plurality of direct wireless connections; and

a schedule generator to associate a plurality of timeslots with a plurality of communication channels, and to allocate the plurality of timeslots to the plurality of direct wireless connections defined by the graph generator;

wherein the communication schedule includes;

(i) a set of dedicated timeslots corresponding to an exclusive use by a pair of the plurality of devices on the corresponding communication channel; and

(ii) a set of shared timeslots corresponding to a shared use by two or more of the plurality of devices on the corresponding communication channel;

wherein the user interface module includes;

a graphical user interface (GUI) routine to graphically render the generated communication schedule, wherein the GUI renders a first set of dedicated timeslots using a first graphic and renders a second set of dedicated timeslots using a second graphic;

wherein the first graphic and the second graphic differ in at least one of a color, a shape, or a size.

47. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having a set of instructions stored thereon, wherein the set of instructions, when executed on a processor, implement a software tool for designing a mesh communication network that includes a plurality of devices operating in a process control plant, the tool comprising:

an interface module to facilitate, based on input data provided to the interface module by a user describing the plurality of devices without describing a timing of communications for the plurality of devices, creation or modification of an interactive model of the mesh communication network, wherein;

the interactive model is stored as data on a computer-readable medium,

the mesh communication network is coupled to a plant automation network of the process control plant, and

the plurality of devices is coupled to the mesh communication network and the plurality of devices includes at least one field device configured to perform a control function within a process or to perform a measurement of the process, the process being controlled within the process control plant; and

an engine module communicatively coupled to the interface module to automatically generate a parameter set for operating the mesh communication network based on the interactive model, the parameter set including a communication schedule, the communication schedule generated according to the input data provided by the user and defining the timing of communications for the plurality of devices.

48. The computer-readable medium of claim 47, wherein the parameter set is associated with at least one of a routing scheme of the mesh communication network or the communication schedule.

49. The computer-readable medium of claim 48, wherein the engine module includes:

a graph generator to define direct wireless connections between pairs of the plurality of devices using at least a geographic information associated with each of the plurality of devices and stored as a part of the interactive model;

wherein the routing scheme includes the defined direct wireless connections.

50. The computer-readable medium of claim 48, wherein the engine module includes:

a graph generator to generate a set of directed graphs connecting pairs of the plurality of devices via one or several direct wireless connections to define the routing scheme of the mesh communication network.

51. The computer-readable medium of claim 47, wherein the interface module includes:

a node addition routine to add a node to a plurality of nodes of the interactive model corresponding to the plurality of devices coupled to the mesh communication network;

a node removal routine to remove a node from the plurality of nodes; and

a node positioning routine to associate one of the plurality of nodes with a geographical position relative to at least another one of the plurality of nodes;

wherein each of the node addition routine, the node removal routine, and the node positioning routine is responsive to user input.

52. The computer-readable medium of claim 47, wherein the interface module includes:

a graphical user interface (GUI) routine to display the interactive model as a plurality of nodes interconnected by a set of direct connections corresponding to the parameter set generated by the engine module.

53. The computer-readable medium of claim 47, wherein the generated parameter set further includes:

a routing scheme generated according to the input data provided by the user.

54. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having a set of instructions stored thereon, wherein the set of instructions, when executed on a processor, implement a communication modeling system for use in configuring a wireless communication network for a process control plant, the system comprising:

an interface module to receive input data provided by a user describing a plurality of devices associated with the process control plant and to store the input data on a computer-readable medium, the input data including indications of relative distances between devices included in the plurality of devices, the plurality of devices including a field device configured to perform a control function within a process or to perform a measurement of the process, the process being controlled within the process control plant, the plurality of devices coupled to the wireless communication network, and the wireless communication network communicatively coupled to a plant automation network of the process control plant; and

an engine module communicatively coupled to the interface module to generate network configuration data using the input data and a set of rules associated with a wireless communication scheme, wherein the network configuration data is used to configure the wireless communication network;

wherein;

(i) the generated network configuration data includes at least one of;

a routing scheme including a selection of a set of wireless links between pairs of the plurality of devices in view of wireless link quality and a definition of a set of communication routes between the plurality of devices, and

a communication schedule that defines a timing of communications of the plurality of device;

(ii) the engine module uses the input data to generate a network model, wherein the network model includes a plurality of nodes each corresponding to one of the plurality of devices, wherein the interface module includes;

a node addition routine to add a node to the plurality of nodes;

a node removal routine to remove a node from the plurality of nodes; and

a node positioning routine to associate one of the plurality of nodes with a geographical position relative to at least another one of the plurality of nodes;

wherein each of the node addition routine, the node removal routine, and the node positioning routine is responsive to user input; and

(iii) each one in the set of communication routes is a directed graph that includes at least direct wireless connection between a pair of the plurality of devices, wherein the interface module further includes;

a power source type selection routine to associate a specified one of the plurality of nodes with one of a first type of a power source or a second type of a power source; and

a power factor selection routine to associate the first type of with a first value of a power factor and the second type with a second value of the power factor; and

wherein the engine module includes;

a graph generator to generate a set of directed graphs using the power factor associated with each of the plurality of devices;

the system further comprising;

an output module that provides the network configuration data as an output.

55. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having a set of instructions stored thereon, wherein the set of instructions, when executed on a processor, implement a communication modeling system for use in configuring a wireless communication network for a process control plant, the system comprising:

an interface module to receive input data provided by a user describing a plurality of devices associated with the process control plant and to store the input data on a computer-readable medium, the input data including indications of relative distances between devices included in the plurality of devices, the plurality of devices including a field device configured to perform a control function within a process or to perform a measurement of the process, the process being controlled within the process control plant, the plurality of devices coupled to the wireless communication network, and the wireless communication network communicatively coupled to a plant automation network of the process control plant; and

an engine module communicatively coupled to the interface module to generate network configuration data using the input data and a set of rules associated with a wireless communication scheme, wherein the network configuration data is used to configure the wireless communication network;

wherein;

(i) the generated network configuration data includes at least one of;

a routing scheme including a selection of a set of wireless links between pairs of the plurality of devices in view of wireless link quality and a definition of a set of communication routes between the plurality of devices, and

a communication schedule that defines a timing of communications of the plurality of device;

(ii) the engine module uses the input data to generate a network model, wherein the network model includes a plurality of nodes each corresponding to one of the plurality of devices, wherein the interface module includes;

a node addition routine to add a node to the plurality of nodes;

a node removal routine to remove a node from the plurality of nodes; and

a node positioning routine to associate one of the plurality of nodes with a geographical position relative to at least another one of the plurality of nodes;

wherein each of the node addition routine, the node removal routine, and the node positioning routine is responsive to user input; and

(iii) the interface module further includes;

a topology selection routine to select a topology for the plurality of nodes including a mesh configuration, star configuration, or a mesh star configuration;

wherein the engine module defines direct wireless connections between pairs of the plurality of devices to generate a routing scheme of the wireless communication network in accordance with the selected topology;

the system further comprising;

an output module that provides the network configuration data as an output.

56. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having a set of instructions stored thereon, wherein the set of instructions, when executed on a processor, implement a communication modeling system for use in configuring a wireless communication network for a process control plant, the system comprising:

an interface module to receive input data provided by a user describing a plurality of devices associated with the process control plant and to store the input data on a computer-readable medium, the input data including indications of relative distances between devices included in the plurality of devices, the plurality of devices including a field device configured to perform a control function within a process or to perform a measurement of the process, the process being controlled within the process control plant, the plurality of devices coupled to the wireless communication network, and the wireless communication network communicatively coupled to a plant automation network of the process control plant; and

an engine module communicatively coupled to the interface module to generate network configuration data using the input data and a set of rules associated with a wireless communication scheme, wherein the network configuration data is used to configure the wireless communication network;

wherein;

(i) the generated network configuration data includes at least one of;

a routing scheme including a selection of a set of wireless links between pairs of the plurality of devices in view of wireless link quality and a definition of a set of communication routes between the plurality of devices, and

a communication schedule that defines a timing of communications of the plurality of device;

(ii) the engine module uses the input data to generate a network model, wherein the network model includes a plurality of nodes each corresponding to one of the plurality of devices, wherein the interface module includes;

a node addition routine to add a node to the plurality of nodes;

a node removal routine to remove a node from the plurality of nodes; and

a node positioning routine to associate one of the plurality of nodes with a geographical position relative to at least another one of the plurality of nodes;

wherein each of the node addition routine, the node removal routine, and the node positioning routine is responsive to user input; and

(iii) the engine module uses the input data to generate a network model, wherein;

the interface module further includes a threshold input routine to associate a specified one of the plurality of nodes with a threshold signal strength value; and

the engine module includes a graph generator that defines a unidirectional wireless connection to the specified one of the plurality of nodes corresponding a destination from another one of the plurality of devices corresponding to a source only if a projected strength of a signal from the source to the destination exceeds the threshold signal strength;

the system further comprising;

an output module that provides the network configuration data as an output.

57. A computer-implemented method of designing a wireless mesh communication network for a process control environment, the method comprising:

obtaining input data provided by a user and descriptive of a plurality of wireless devices associated with the process control environment and coupled to the wireless mesh communication network, the input data including an indication of a relative distance between a pair of wireless devices included in the plurality of wireless devices, the plurality of wireless devices including at least one field device configured to perform a control function within a process or to perform a measurement of the process, the process being controlled within the process control environment, and the wireless mesh communication network communicatively coupled to a plant automation network of the process control environment; and

automatically applying a set of rules associated with a communication scheme to the input data to generate network configuration data used to configure the plurality of wireless devices to wirelessly communicate in the process control environment, including at least one of;

generating a set of graphs to define a routing scheme of the wireless mesh communication network, and

defining a communication schedule of the wireless mesh communication network; and

the method further comprising;

providing the network configuration data as output;

wherein;

(i) obtaining the input data for each of the plurality of wireless devices includes;

receiving a device type indication corresponding to one of a predefined types of a particular device; and

receiving a location indication corresponding to a physical location of the particular device relative to the plurality of devices; and

(ii) obtaining the input data for each of the plurality of wireless devices further includes receiving a power source selection indicative of type of a power source that supplies power to the particular device.

58. A computer-implemented method of designing a wireless mesh communication network for a process control environment, the method comprising:

obtaining input data provided by a user and descriptive of a plurality of wireless devices associated with the process control environment and coupled to the wireless mesh communication network, the input data including an indication of a relative distance between a pair of wireless devices included in the plurality of wireless devices, the plurality of wireless devices including at least one field device configured to perform a control function within a process or to perform a measurement of the process, the process being controlled within the process control environment, and the wireless mesh communication network communicatively coupled to a plant automation network of the process control environment; and

automatically applying a set of rules associated with a communication scheme to the input data to generate network configuration data used to configure the plurality of wireless devices to wirelessly communicate in the process control environment, including at least one of;

generating a set of graphs to define a routing scheme of the wireless mesh communication network, and

defining a communication schedule of the wireless mesh communication network; and

the method further comprising;

providing the network configuration data as output

wherein;

(i) obtaining the input data includes providing a display interface to the user, comprising;

providing a canvass area on the display; and

providing an interactive menu having a plurality of user selectable functions including at least a first function to add a representation of a particular device to a selected location within the canvass area and a second function to remove the representation of the particular device from the canvass area; and

(ii) providing the interactive menu further includes providing a third function to specify a rate at which the particular device originates process control data.

59. A computer-implemented method of designing a wireless mesh communication network for a process control environment, the method comprising:

obtaining input data provided by a user and descriptive of a plurality of wireless devices associated with the process control environment and coupled to the wireless mesh communication network, the input data including an indication of a relative distance between a pair of wireless devices included in the plurality of wireless devices, the plurality of wireless devices including at least one field device configured to perform a control function within a process or to perform a measurement of the process, the process being controlled within the process control environment, and the wireless mesh communication network communicatively coupled to a plant automation network of the process control environment; and

automatically applying a set of rules associated with a communication scheme to the input data to generate network configuration data used to configure the plurality of wireless devices to wirelessly communicate in the process control environment, including at least one of;

generating a set of graphs to define a routing scheme of the wireless mesh communication network, and

defining a communication schedule of the wireless mesh communication network; and

the method further comprising;

providing the network configuration data as output;

wherein;

(i) generating a set of graphs includes generating a set of directed graphs connecting pairs of the plurality of devices; and

(ii) the plurality of devices includes a gateway device to communicate with a host external to the wireless mesh communication network; and

wherein generating the set of directed graphs connecting pairs of the plurality of devices includes;

generating a first set of upstream directed graphs connecting each of the plurality of devices with the gateway device; and

generating a second set of downstream directed graphs connecting the gateway device to each of the plurality of devices.

60. A computer-implemented method of designing a wireless mesh communication network for a process control environment, the method comprising:

obtaining input data provided by a user and descriptive of a plurality of wireless devices associated with the process control environment and coupled to the wireless mesh communication network, the input data including an indication of a relative distance between a pair of wireless devices included in the plurality of wireless devices, the plurality of wireless devices including at least one field device configured to perform a control function within a process or to perform a measurement of the process, the process being controlled within the process control environment, and the wireless mesh communication network communicatively coupled to a plant automation network of the process control environment; and

automatically applying a set of rules associated with a communication scheme to the input data to generate network configuration data used to configure the plurality of wireless devices to wireles sly communicate in the process control environment, including at least one of;

generating a set of graphs to define a routing scheme of the wireless mesh communication network, and

defining a communication schedule of the wireless mesh communication network; and

the method further comprising;

providing the network configuration data as output;

providing a display interface to the user; and

receiving a design constraint from the display interface;

wherein applying the set of rules to the input data includes generating the routing scheme and the communication schedule for the communication network in view of the design constraint;

wherein the design constraint includes one of a maximum number of intermediate devices associated with a directed graph connecting a pair of the plurality of devices;

a maximum number of devices having a direct wireless connection to any one of the plurality of devices;

or a minimum number of devices to consider at one of the plurality of devices when defining a directed graph from the one of the plurality of devices to another one of the plurality of devices.

61. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having a set of instructions stored thereon, wherein the set of instructions, when executed on a processor, implement a communication modeling system for designing a wireless communication network for a process control environment, the system comprising:

a user interface module to receive input data provided by a user and descriptive of a plurality of wireless devices associated with the process control environment and to store the input data on a computer-readable medium, the input data including respective indications of one or more relative distances between wireless devices included in the plurality of wireless devices, the plurality of wireless devices coupled to the wireless communication network and including at least one field device configured to perform a control function within a process or to perform a measurement of the process, the process being controlled within the process control environment, and the wireless communication network coupled to a plant automation network of the process control environment; and

an engine module communicatively coupled to the user interface module to automatically generate network configuration data using the input data for the plurality of wireless devices;

wherein the network configuration data is used to configure the plurality of wireless devices and includes a routing scheme defined as a set of communication paths connecting pairs of the plurality of devices and a communication schedule to define timing of communication of the plurality of devices;

the engine module including;

a graph generator to define a plurality of direct wireless connections between pairs of the plurality of devices and to generate a set of directed graphs using the plurality of direct wireless connections; and

a schedule generator to associate a plurality of timeslots with a plurality of communication channels, and to allocate the plurality of timeslots to the plurality of direct wireless connections defined by the graph generator;

wherein;

(i) the communication schedule includes;

(a) a set of dedicated timeslots corresponding to an exclusive use by a pair of the plurality of devices on the corresponding communication channel, and

(b) a set of shared timeslots corresponding to a shared use by two or more of the plurality of devices on the corresponding communication channel; and

(ii) the user interface module includes;

a graphical user interface (GUI) routine to graphically render the generated communication schedule, wherein the GUI renders a first set of dedicated timeslots using a first graphic and renders a second set of dedicated timeslots using a second graphic;

wherein the first graphic and the second graphic differ in at least one of a color, a shape, or a size.