Abstract: The data communication system and method is disclosed comprising at least a first network and a second network, wherein a first node interface is connected to a second node interface over the first network and to a second node interface over the second network. The first network and second network being operated in parallel. The data communication system sends data from the first node interface to the second node interface via the first network using a first network address and sends data from the first node interface to the second node interface via the second network using a second network address, wherein the second network address is not equivalent to the first network address.

Abstract: A system for providing cybersecurity for an industrial wireless sensor network (IWSN) including a plurality of devices in an industrial processing facility (IPF) that includes a computing device having a processor having an associated memory at one of the plurality of devices configured to implement an adaptive security ring. The adaptive security ring includes considering a plurality of current security considerations selected from a number of wireless hops for a first device of the plurality of devices to a root node in the IWSN, whether the first device is line powered or is battery powered, user? inputs for user defined criticality of the first device, and whether packet replay attacks are present for the first device by checking security headers and security statistics of packets received from other of the devices. Responsive to the current security considerations, a current cybersecurity level is automatically increased or decreased for the first device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tablet computing device and a radio module physically fastened to the tablet computing device. The tablet computing device has a display and is configured to establish WiFi and BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BLE) communication links with other devices. The radio module is configured to establish ISA100 and WirelessHART communication links with field devices of a process control and automation system. The tablet computing device and the radio module are configured to communicate with each other using a BLE communication link. The apparatus is configured to selectably operate in multiple modes comprising a gateway mode, a router mode, a sniffer mode, and a discovery mode.

Abstract: A method includes, responsive to identifying a user entering a terminal, identifying a role for the user. The method also includes providing a routing map to a mobile device associated with the user. The routing map identifies an allowable route for the user within the terminal, and the routing map is based on the role. The method further includes granting the user access to one or more restricted areas in the terminal, where the one or more restricted areas are located along the allowable route in the routing map. The method may also include monitoring a location of the user to identify a deviation of the user from the allowable route and, responsive to identifying the deviation, generating an alarm.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for virtual reality and augmented reality training comprises a headset for displaying at least one virtual object, at least one processor, and a storage device communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, the storage device storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations comprising: providing a virtual environment, providing one or more demonstration steps, providing one or more practice steps, collecting the user's real world physical movements, collecting the user's virtual decisions, evaluating the user's virtual decisions and physical movements to determine if the virtual decisions and the physical movements constitute safe behavior and correcting an incorrect physical movement and an incorrect virtual decision.

Abstract: A system for providing cybersecurity for an industrial wireless sensor network (IWSN) including a plurality of devices in an industrial processing facility (IPF) that includes a computing device having a processor having an associated memory at one of the plurality of devices configured to implement an adaptive security ring. The adaptive security ring includes considering a plurality of current security considerations selected from a number of wireless hops for a first device of the plurality of devices to a root node in the IWSN, whether the first device is line powered or is battery powered, user? inputs for user defined criticality of the first device, and whether packet replay attacks are present for the first device by checking security headers and security statistics of packets received from other of the devices. Responsive to the current security considerations, a current cybersecurity level is automatically increased or decreased for the first device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tablet computing device and a radio module physically fastened to the tablet computing device. The tablet computing device has a display and is configured to establish WiFi and BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BLE) communication links with other devices. The radio module is configured to establish ISA100 and WirelessHART communication links with field devices of a process control and automation system. The tablet computing device and the radio module are configured to communicate with each other using a BLE communication link. The apparatus is configured to selectably operate in multiple modes comprising a gateway mode, a router mode, a sniffer mode, and a discovery mode.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an apparatus and method for virtual wireless devices for industrial wireless sensor networks, including but not limited to, in industrial control systems and other systems. A method includes initializing, by a physical wireless device, a plurality of virtual wireless devices executing on the physical wireless device. The method includes registering with a control network by the physical wireless device. The method includes emulating a plurality of wireless sensors, by the physical wireless device and in the control network, by using the virtual wireless devices.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory element and processing device. The processing device is configured to receive an identification of a first field device supporting a first protocol and a second field device supporting a second protocol. The first field device uses a first publish period that is different from a second publish period of the second field device. The processing device is also configured to configure a superframe for each of the first and second field devices based on the identification of the field devices and supported protocols. Each of the configured superframes includes a plurality of time slots supporting each of the first and second publish periods. The processing device is also configured to assign a first set of time slots of the plurality of time slots to the first field device and a second set of time slots of the plurality of time to the second field device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring process equipment such as field devices. A QR code can be associated with a field device, wherein the QR code contains data that identifies the field device, and also includes process data regarding the field device, the location of the field device, and maintenance information, installation information and fault information associated with the field device. The QR code can then be scanned and decoded in order to retrieve the data for use in in monitoring and maintaining field devices in the context of a connected plant.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for virtual reality and augmented reality training comprises a headset for displaying at least one virtual object, at least one processor, and a storage device communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, the storage device storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations comprising: providing a virtual environment, providing one or more demonstration steps, providing one or more practice steps, collecting the user's real world physical movements, collecting the user's virtual decisions, evaluating the user's virtual decisions and physical movements to determine if the virtual decisions and the physical movements constitute safe behavior and correcting an incorrect physical movement and an incorrect virtual decision.

Abstract: A method includes, responsive to identifying a user entering a terminal, identifying a role for the user. The method also includes providing a routing map to a mobile device associated with the user. The routing map identifies an allowable route for the user within the terminal, and the routing map is based on the role. The method further includes granting the user access to one or more restricted areas in the terminal, where the one or more restricted areas are located along the allowable route in the routing map. The method may also include monitoring a location of the user to identify a deviation of the user from the allowable route and, responsive to identifying the deviation, generating an alarm.

Abstract: This disclosure provides various ways to enable a BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BLE) communication capability for a field instrument. An apparatus is configured to perform a method for providing BLE communication capability to a legacy field instrument in an industrial control system. The method includes receiving, by a BLE adapter coupled to the field instrument, information from the field instrument according to a protocol that is native to the field instrument. The method includes converting, by the BLE adapter, the information into a BLE communication protocol. The method includes transmitting, by the BLE adapter, the converted information to an external device over a BLE communication link.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring process equipment such as field devices. A QR code can be associated with a field device, wherein the QR code contains data that identifies the field device, and also includes process data regarding the field device, the location of the field device, and maintenance information, installation information and fault information associated with the field device. The QR code can then be scanned and decoded in order to retrieve the data for use in in monitoring and maintaining field devices in the context of a connected plant.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an apparatus and method for virtual wireless devices for industrial wireless sensor networks, including but not limited to, in industrial control systems and other systems. A method includes initializing, by a physical wireless device, a plurality of virtual wireless devices executing on the physical wireless device. The method includes registering with a control network by the physical wireless device. The method includes emulating a plurality of wireless sensors, by the physical wireless device and in the control network, by using the virtual wireless devices.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory element and processing device. The processing device is configured to receive an identification of a first field device supporting a first protocol and a second field device supporting a second protocol. The first field device uses a first publish period that is different from a second publish period of the second field device. The processing device is also configured to configure a superframe for each of the first and second field devices based on the identification of the field devices and supported protocols. Each of the configured superframes includes a plurality of time slots supporting each of the first and second publish periods. The processing device is also configured to assign a first set of time slots of the plurality of time slots to the first field device and a second set of time slots of the plurality of time to the second field device.

Abstract: A multi-protocol wireless sensor network is provided. The multi-protocol wireless sensor network includes a first field device, a second field device, an access point, and a programmable logic controller (PLC). The first field device is configured to operate using a first protocol. The second field device is configured to operate using a second protocol. The access point is configured to communicate with the first field device using the first protocol and the second field device using the second protocol. The PLC is configured to control the first field device and the second field device through the access point.

Abstract: A method includes allocating a cloud-based information repository to a customer. The information repository is hosted by a vendor and includes a plurality of compartments. The compartments include first, second, and third compartments, and each compartment has a different level of access. The information repository is accessible to the customer over a network connection. The method also includes receiving one or more first documents from the customer and saving the one or more first documents in the information repository. The method further includes receiving a request from the customer for a report associated with the information repository. In addition, the method includes generating the report and sending the report to the customer. The method could also include storing at least one second document in the information repository, where the at least one second document is associated with a life-cycle of a customer product.

Abstract: A method includes communicating using a BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BLE) communication link with a plurality of field instruments in an industrial process and control system. The method also includes receiving operating parameters from each of the field instruments. The method further includes displaying an identifier of each field instrument and at least one operating parameter from each field instrument on a single screen or window of a wireless mobile device. The method also includes receiving a user input associated one or more operating parameters. In addition, the method includes transmitting data to or receiving information from a first field instrument based on the user input. In some embodiments, the method can also include receiving one or more voice or gesture commands related to operation of the field instruments, translating the voice or gesture commands to command data, and sending the command data to the field instruments.

Abstract: A method for bandwidth management in a wireless network having wireless field devices (FDs) wirelessly coupled to a wireless access point associated to a wireless gateway. A first bandwidth usage percentage (BUP) consumed by the wireless access point and wireless router(s) is calculated from summed connected device weights. In response to a new FD or wireless router requesting to be connected to the network, a second BUP is calculated that would be consumed by the wireless access point and the wireless router(s) if the new FD or wireless router were connected to the wireless network. If the second BUP is not less than respective BUP thresholds, the new FD or router is prevented from being connected to the network. Disclosed bandwidth management can also be applied if an already connected FD in the network changes its path from one router or access point to another connected router or access point.