Abstract: A device includes multiple communication interfaces configured to send and receive data over multiple communication paths. The device also includes multiple input/output (I/O) channels configured to communicate with multiple field devices. The device further includes at least one processing device configured to process at least some of the data and control at least one of the field devices based on the processed data. The device may also include an intrinsic safety barrier electrically separating the communication interfaces and the I/O channels. The communication interfaces may include at least one first interface configured to communicate over one or more first communication paths with at least one component of an industrial control system and at least one second interface configured to communicate over one or more second communication paths with at least one other device that is configured to communicate with additional field devices.

Abstract: A device includes multiple communication interfaces configured to send and receive data over multiple communication paths. The device also includes multiple input/output (I/O) channels configured to communicate with multiple field devices. The device further includes at least one processing device configured to process at least some of the data and control at least one of the field devices based on the processed data. The device may also include an intrinsic safety barrier electrically separating the communication interfaces and the I/O channels. The communication interfaces may include at least one first interface configured to communicate over one or more first communication paths with at least one component of an industrial control system and at least one second interface configured to communicate over one or more second communication paths with at least one other device that is configured to communicate with additional field devices.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting a first value to a first slave device via a communication bus, where the first value is within a first range of values associated with the first slave device. The method also includes receiving a second value via the communication bus and detecting a fault when the second value is not within the first range of values associated with the first slave device. Detecting the fault could include detecting a decoder fault when the second value is within a second range of values associated with a second slave device. The method may further include detecting a fault when the second value is within the first range of values associated with the first slave device but does not equal the first value or detecting no fault when the second value equals the first value.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting a first value to a first slave device via a communication bus, where the first value is within a first range of values associated with the first slave device. The method also includes receiving a second value via the communication bus and detecting a fault when the second value is not within the first range of values associated with the first slave device. Detecting the fault could include detecting a decoder fault when the second value is within a second range of values associated with a second slave device. The method may further include detecting a fault when the second value is within the first range of values associated with the first slave device but does not equal the first value or detecting no fault when the second value equals the first value.

Abstract: An intrinsic barrier device, method and computer program product for isolating a communication channel of an input/output (IO) module from a field device. The intrinsic barrier device includes a front end having a programming input adapted to receive an analog input (AI), analog output (AO), digital input (DI) or digital output (DO) IO type configuration signal. The intrinsic barrier device also includes a processor to process the IO type configuration signal and an associated memory device storing an intrinsic barrier IO type configuration (IBTC) program. The processor is programmed to implement the IBTC program. The processor, responsive to the IO type configuration signal configures the intrinsic barrier device to operate as the AI, AO, DI or DO for supporting communications through the intrinsic barrier device over the communication channel between the IO module and the field device in the AI, AO, DI or DO.

Abstract: An intrinsic barrier device, method and computer program product for isolating a communication channel of an input/output (IO) module from a field device. The intrinsic barrier device includes a front end having a programming input adapted to receive an analog input (AI), analog output (AO), digital input (DI) or digital output (DO) IO type configuration signal. The intrinsic barrier device also includes a processor to process the IO type configuration signal and an associated memory device storing an intrinsic barrier IO type configuration (IBTC) program. The processor is programmed to implement the IBTC program. The processor, responsive to the IO type configuration signal configures the intrinsic barrier device to operate as the AI, AO, DI or DO for supporting communications through the intrinsic barrier device over the communication channel between the IO module and the field device in the AI, AO, DI or DO.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one first input/output (I/O) module having multiple first I/O channels. Each first I/O channel is configured to provide a communication path. The apparatus also includes a second I/O module having multiple second I/O channels. Each second I/O channel is configured to provide a redundant communication path for one of the first I/O channels. The apparatus is configured to provide the redundant communication paths for only a subset of the first I/O channels. The first I/O channels may include critical I/O channels and non-critical I/O channels, and the apparatus may be configured to provide the redundant communication paths for only the critical I/O channels. The apparatus can be configured to provide the redundant communication paths for the first I/O channels of a single first I/O module or multiple first I/O modules.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one first input/output (I/O) module having multiple first I/O channels. Each first I/O channel is configured to provide a communication path. The apparatus also includes a second I/O module having multiple second I/O channels. Each second I/O channel is configured to provide a redundant communication path for one of the first I/O channels. The apparatus is configured to provide the redundant communication paths for only a subset of the first I/O channels. The first I/O channels may include critical I/O channels and non-critical I/O channels, and the apparatus may be configured to provide the redundant communication paths for only the critical I/O channels. The apparatus can be configured to provide the redundant communication paths for the first I/O channels of a single first I/O module or multiple first I/O modules.

Abstract: A programmable interface circuit includes channel(s) including a digital logic block having terminals for receiving control signals from a process controller block, for providing logic signals, and terminals for receiving processed signal data. An analog logic block includes a current output digital to analog converter (DAC). An output circuit block includes first and second field terminals (S1,S2) and a sense resistor, wherein current from the DAC is coupled to S1 and the sense resistor is coupled to S2. The analog logic block includes a first and a second multi-channel multiplexer (MUX), an operational amplifier, and an analog to digital converter (ADC). The control signals automatically select from signal modes including an analog output (AO) mode, a digital output (DO) mode, an analog input (AI) mode, a digital input (DI) mode, and at least one additional signal mode provided by adding a sub-mode to the AI mode or DI mode.

Abstract: A gateway is used to segment a network, such as a FAULT TOLERANT ETHERNET (FTE) network, into islands. The gateway receives traffic from a first island, forwards part of the traffic to a second island, and blocks another part of the traffic from being forwarded to the second island. The forwarded traffic could include unicast traffic. The blocked traffic could include broadcast or multicast traffic, including diagnostic messages from one or more nodes in the first island.

Abstract: An array of logic gates is configured to implement a predefined strategy for an emergency response system in a hardware-only runtime environment. The array of logic gates receives a plurality of input signals from a set of sensors and actuators located within an industrial processing system. Based upon the received plurality of input signals, the array of logic gates determines an emergency response using the predefined strategy. The array of logic gates implements the emergency response to control the industrial processing system based upon the predefined strategy. The array of logic gates can be reconfigured based upon a change in the predefined strategy.

Abstract: A gateway is used to segment a network, such as a Fault Tolerant Ethernet (FTE) network, into islands. The gateway receives traffic from a first island, forwards part of the traffic to a second island, and blocks another part of the traffic from being forwarded to the second island. The forwarded traffic could include unicast traffic. The blocked traffic could include broadcast or multicast traffic, including diagnostic messages from one or more nodes in the first island.

Abstract: A system for handling data of a process with a primary controller and a redundant controller. The primary controller includes a primary processor that is operable to perform tracking data tasks by using a low speed bus to cooperate with a tracker controller for storage of tracking data in a tracker memory. The primary processor is further operable to perform other tasks by using a high speed bus in cooperation with a primary memory. The second bus has an operating rate considerably higher (for example, a factor of two or more) than that of the first bus.

Abstract: An impact mechanism having a rotating cage member that supports at least one hammer for imparting impacts upon an anvil. More particularly the present invention relates to a cage member of an impact mechanism wherein each hammer pin is supported in a partial bore hole in the end of the cage member closest to the motor of the impact mechanism.