Abstract: A first plant part includes a multitude of field devices and an edge device, which is part of a communication network. The edge device monitors data transmitted by the field devices and a higher-level unit or requests further data. The edge device generates a live list, which contains an identifier of each field device or the higher-level unit and the requested or monitored data. The edge device simulates a multitude of virtual field devices, generates data, and enters identifiers of the virtual field devices and the generated data into the live list. The live list is made available via a first interface. The edge device transmits the live list containing the current requested or monitored data to a cloud-based service platform at regular intervals, and the cloud-based service platform is designed to prepare or present the live list, with the data of the virtual field devices being disregarded.

Abstract: A system for managing data of an automation field device in a secure manner includes a decentralized distributed ledger-type database, or blockchain, comprising a plurality of subscriber nodes, comprising validation-capable subscriber nodes and an automation field device with an electronic unit. The electronic unit is designed to run a distributed ledger software stack. The field device generates data, comprising measurement values and/or calibration certificates requiring verification, and the field device operates as a light node of the decentralized database after running the distributed ledger software stack and is designed to transmit the data to the decentralized database via the communication network and write said data in encrypted form into the decentralized database.

Abstract: A self-testing automation system includes a decentralized distributed ledger-type database comprising a plurality of subscriber nodes, wherein the subscriber nodes exchange data with one another per transaction, and the database stores the transactions in data blocks which are linked together; a regulating mechanism which is implemented into each of the subscriber nodes, said regulating mechanism comprising information on the number and identity of all of the subscriber nodes as well as rules relating to actions, properties, and states of each of the subscriber nodes; and a plurality of automation components which are subscriber nodes of the decentralized database. Each of the subscriber nodes is designed to test or validate transactions between the subscriber nodes at all times using the regulating mechanism, and each of the subscriber nodes is designed to carry out at least one measure if a violation of the regulating mechanism is detected.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system for resource administration in automation engineering. A field device is designed to record and/or influence process variables and is communicatively connected to an edge device and supplies raw data of the current measured value of the process or control variables. The edge device is communicatively connected to a service platform via a second communication network. In a container portion, a plurality of logic/application components are held which allow specific measurement and diagnosis capabilities to be executed. Based on the computing resources or storage resources provided in the field devices, in the edge device and in the service platform, the logic/application components can be loaded onto the respective devices and executed by the corresponding execution units of the devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for starting-up using a service unit a field device of automation technology mounted on a container at a measuring location, wherein the service unit has a display unit and a camera, comprising: identifying the field device using the service unit; showing on the display unit at least one parameter to be set, wherein the at least one parameter to be set is ascertained based on the identifying of the field device, showing on the display unit the field of view of the operator, and showing at least one virtual symbol superimposed on the field of view shown on the display unit; selecting at least one predetermined parameter value, or inputting at least one parameter value; confirming the selected, or input, parameter value, and transferring the confirmed parameter value into the field device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for starting-up by means of a service unit a field device of automation technology mounted on a component, especially a container, at a measuring location, wherein the service unit has a display unit and a camera, comprising: identifying the field device by means of the service unit; based on the identifying of the field device, ascertaining parameters of the field device to be set; registering geometry data of at least a part of the component by means of the camera; analyzing the registered geometry and, by means of the analyzing of the registered geometry, deriving at least one parameter value for at least one of the parameters to be set; confirming the calculated parameter value; and transferring the confirmed parameter value into the field device and storing the parameter value in the field device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring a fill level of a fill substance in a container. The method includes: transmitting a first signal toward the fill substance; receiving a first received signal after reflection of the first signal in the container; transmitting a second signal toward the fill substance, wherein the second signal has at least one defined property deviating from the first signal; receiving a second received signal after reflection of the second signal in the container; ascertaining a first fill level value based on the first received signal and a second fill level value based on the second received signal; and determining the first fill level value or the second fill level value as fill level when the first fill level value and the second fill level value agree. In this way, the fill level is determined in redundant manner.

Abstract: A method for compensating for an error function is disclosed, wherein a field device has a sensor unit. The method includes transferring properties of the sensor unit to the field device. The properties contain information regarding process variables collected by the sensor unit. The method includes transferring the device status of the field device or the sensor unit to a plurality of field devices, and establishing a substitution system, wherein the properties of the sensor unit and the device status are known to the plurality of field devices, and the field devices independently determine which process variable of a sensor unit can substitute a process variable of another sensor unit with a predetermined degree of accuracy. The method also includes transferring the substitute variable to the higher-level unit in the event that at least one predetermined device status of a field device or a sensor unit arises.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for starting-up using a service unit a field device of automation technology mounted on a container at a measuring location, wherein the service unit has a display unit and a camera, comprising: identifying the field device using the service unit; showing on the display unit at least one parameter to be set, wherein the at least one parameter to be set is ascertained based on the identifying of the field device, showing on the display unit the field of view of the operator, and showing at least one virtual symbol superimposed on the field of view shown on the display unit; selecting at least one predetermined parameter value, or inputting at least one parameter value; confirming the selected, or input, parameter value, and transferring the confirmed parameter value into the field device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for starting-up by means of a service unit (SU) a field device (FD) of automation technology mounted on a component (KO), especially a container, at a measuring location (ML), wherein the service unit (SU) has a display unit (DU) and a camera (KA), comprising: identifying the field device (FD) by means of the service unit (SU); based on the identifying of the field device (FD), ascertaining parameters of the field device (FD) to be set; registering geometry data (H, L) of at least a part of the component (KO) by means of the camera (KA); analyzing the registered geometry (H, L) and, by means of the analyzing of the registered geometry (H, L), deriving at least one parameter value for at least one of the parameters to be set; confirming the calculated parameter value; and transferring the confirmed parameter value into the field device (FD) and storing the parameter value in the field device (FD).

Abstract: A system for triangulating a location of a wireless process automation transmitter for use by a smart glass device is provided. A wireless process automation transmitter transmits a join request signal, and a plurality of network receivers receive the join request signal and transmit time of arrival information to a network manager. The network manager uses the information, including network receiver information and corresponding location information, to triangulate a location of the wireless process automation transmitter. A smart glass device location is triangulated in a similar manner but may also use the wireless process automation transmitter to receive a join request signal and transmit time of arrival information to the network manager. With the location information of both devices, along with an orientation angle of the smart glass device, the network manager determines if the wireless process automation transmitter is in a field of view of the smart glass device.

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.

Abstract: A method for locating at least one field device in an automated plant, wherein the field device is connected via a network composed of a plurality of distributed field devices, and wherein a mobile terminal is applied for locating the field device.

Abstract: A method for wireless data transmission between first and second transmission participants, wherein for wireless data transmission between the first and second participants alternately a first protocol and a second protocol are used, wherein the first protocol serves for unidirectional data transmission and the second protocol for bidirectional data transmission.

Abstract: A method for servicing a field device of process automation technology. The data exchanged between the field device and a servicing program is by means of at least one protocol, which has basic commands, via which basic functions of the field device can be invoked. Each field device which is compatible with the protocol has these basic functions available to it, and wherein only basic commands of the protocol are used to transfer data between the servicing program and the field device.

Abstract: A system for use in automation technology, especially in process and/or manufacturing automation technology, comprising: at least one field device equipped with a basic firmware, wherein the field device is configurable for a specific application by means of a specific application firmware; a superordinated unit, via which the at least one field device can be serviced, wherein, for servicing, a first operating program is provided and the first operating program has a service program part corresponding to the specific application firmware; and a bus, via which the superordinated unit communicates with the at least one field device by means of the operating program.

Abstract: A coupling system for use in automation technology, comprising at least a first device as well as a second device arranged outside of the first device, wherein the first device and the second device utilize a corresponding interface for wireless data and/or energy transmission, and wherein there is arranged on the first device at least a first coupling apparatus, which interacts with a second coupling apparatus of the second device. The second device with the assistance of the first coupling apparatus and the second coupling apparatus is securable releasably to the first device.

Abstract: A method for servicing a field device having a first wireless transmission module, preferably a transponder. An adapter is provided, which has a corresponding second wireless transmission module, preferably a reading device, for querying the transponder. The field device has, furthermore, a first communication interface for communication via a fieldbus, preferably a wired fieldbus, wherein the adapter has a second communication interface likewise for communication via the fieldbus, preferably a wired fieldbus. Data stored in a memory unit of the field device are wirelessly retrieved and transmitted to the adapter by means of the first transmission module and by means of the second transmission module, wherein the adapter is connected with a service device, and wherein by means of the retrieved data a connection is established between the field device and the service device via the field bus.

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.

Abstract: A method for wireless data transmission between first and second transmission participants, wherein for wireless data transmission between the first and second participants alternately a first protocol and a second protocol are used, wherein the first protocol serves for unidirectional data transmission and the second protocol for bidirectional data transmission.