DETECTION AND LOCATION OF WIRELESS FIELD DEVICES

• US 20100290359A1
• Filed: 05/14/2010
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Rotvold, Eric D., Citrano, Joseph III, Russell, Alden Chester III, Toepke, Todd Mitchell, Dewey, Alan Roger
• Granted Patent: US 9,532,232 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23406 Programmer device, portable, handheld detachable programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24167 Encryption, password, user access privileges
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25062 Detect physical location of field device
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25428 Field device
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31131 Field device with gateway functions for communication with pc and other field devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/18 Network planning tools
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A method of evaluating a potential location to add a wireless field device to an existing network of a plurality of existing wireless field devices is provided. The method includes placing a handheld field maintenance tool in the potential location and causing the handheld field maintenance tool to identify wireless field devices within communicative range of the potential location. Information related to wireless communication at the potential location is viewed. Methods are also provided for identifying a selected field device in a process installation using a handheld field maintenance tool.

Claims

1. A method of evaluating a potential location to add a wireless field device to an existing network of a plurality of existing wireless field devices, the method comprising:

placing a handheld field maintenance tool in the potential location;

causing the handheld field maintenance tool to identify wireless field devices within communicative range of the potential location; and

viewing information related to wireless communication at the potential location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the handheld field maintenance tool communicates with each wireless field device in accordance with a process industry standard protocol.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the process industry standard protocol is a WirelessHART protocol.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the handheld field maintenance tool is intrinsically safe.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the information related to wireless communication at the potential location includes a device identifier and signal strength for each wireless field device with which the handheld field maintenance tool communicates.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the information related to wireless communication at the potential location includes an indication of electromagnetic interference.

7. A method of studying a wireless sensor network including a plurality of wireless field devices, the method comprising:

monitoring signal strength of each network field device over a selected duration; and

providing the monitored signal strength correlated with physical position of each network field device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the correlation of monitored signal strength and physical position is done in the form of a network heat map.

9. A method of locating a selected field device in a process installation with a handheld field maintenance tool, the method comprising:

obtaining an indication of a physical location of the selected field device;

obtaining an indication of a current position of the handheld field maintenance tool; and

generating an indication to a user of the handheld field maintenance tool that directs the user from the current position to the physical location of the selected field device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein obtaining an indication of the physical location of the selected field device is obtained via a wireless communication module of the handheld field maintenance tool.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the indication of the physical location of the selected field device is provided by the selected field device.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein generating an indication to the user includes presenting the user with a map indicating the current position and the physical location of the selected field device.

13. The method of claim 9, and further comprising automatically generating a local annunciation at the selected field device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the local annunciation is automatically generated when the current position is within a threshold proximity of the physical location of the selected field device.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the handheld field maintenance tool complies with at least one intrinsic safety specification.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the indication includes a heading.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the indication includes an elevation angle.

18. A method of locating a selected field device in a process installation with a handheld field maintenance tool, the method comprising:

communicating with the selected field device using a handheld field maintenance tool to cause the wireless field device to generate a local annunciation.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein wireless communication between the handheld field maintenance tool and the selected field device is in accordance with a process industry standard communication protocol.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the annunciation is an audible annunciation.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the annunciation is a visual annunciation.