Method for operating a field device of process automation technology

• US 9,811,696 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2012
• Issued: 11/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Original Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Inventors: Birgel, Eric, Hahniche, Jorg, Poschmann, Axel
• Primary Examiner(s): Negron, Daniell L
• Application Number:
  US14/366,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20140327522A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,796 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0716 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10297 arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

Method for operating a field device of process automation technology, wherein the field device includes a main circuit, which serves in a first operating mode for evaluation and for output of process data, which preferably come from a measuring transducer, wherein the field device includes a first interface, which serves in the first operating mode to supply the field device, especially the main circuit, with electrical energy, wherein the field device includes a second, preferably wireless, interface, which serves for transmission of data and/or electrical energy to the field device, wherein the field device, preferably the main circuit, is supplied in a second operating mode with electrical energy, preferably exclusively with electrical energy, obtained via the second interface.

Claims

1. A method for operating a field device of process automation technology, which includes a main circuit, including a microprocessor and a memory unit, a first interface and a wireless second interface which serves for transmission of data and electrical energy to the field device, comprising the steps of:

evaluating and outputting of process data by the main circuit in a first operating mode and supplying the field device with electrical energy via the first interface in the first operating mode;

supplying the field device in a second operating mode exclusively with electrical energy obtained via said wireless second interface;

supplying the microprocessor and the memory unit with electrical energy via the wireless second interface in the second operating mode

in the second operating mode, data are written into the memory unit via the second interface;

in the second operating mode, data written into the memory unit of the microprocessor are read-out and stored in an internal memory of the microprocessor; and

the second interface includes an auxiliary circuit, which serves for preprocessing the data received via the second interface, and the auxiliary circuit is connected respectively with the microprocessor of the main circuit and with the memory unit of the main circuit.

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

the first interface is a fieldbus interface.

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

the second interface is a transponder according to the NFC- and/or the RFID standard.

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

the field device includes a measuring transducer; and

in the first operating mode both the measuring transducer as well as also the main circuit are supplied exclusively with electrical energy obtained via the first interface.

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

data are written into the memory unit by means of the microprocessor.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

in the first and/or in the second operating mode, data are written into the memory unit, and/or data are read-out from the memory unit, via the second interface.

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

in the second operating mode, electrical energy is transmitted via the connection to the main circuit from the auxiliary circuit to the main circuit.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

in the second operating mode, data are transmitted via the connection to the memory unit from the auxiliary circuit to the memory unit;

the data are field device parameters.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

in the second operating mode, only the main circuit is supplied with electrical energy.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

the main circuit is galvanically isolated from the second interface.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

a change of the parameters of the field device in the first operating mode is secured in the memory unit.

12. A field device of process automation technology comprising:

a main circuit, which serves in a first operating mode for evaluation and for output of process data, said main circuit including a microprocessor and a memory unit;

a first interface for supplying the field device with electrical energy in the first operating mode; and

a wireless second interface for transmitting data and/or electrical energy to the field device, wherein the field device is supplied in a second operating mode exclusively with electrical energy obtained via the second interface, wherein;

in the second operating mode, said microprocessor and said memory unit are supplied with electrical energy obtained via said wireless second interfaces;

in the second operating mode, data are written into the memory unit via the second interface;

in the second operating mode, data written into the memory unit of the microprocessor are read-out and stored in an internal memory of the microprocessor; and

the second interface includes an auxiliary circuit, which serves for preprocessing the data received via the second interface, and the auxiliary circuit is connected respectively with the microprocessor of the main circuit and with the memory unit of the main circuit.