Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for enabling the operation of multiple control devices on the same network. Each control device on a network can be configured to monitor and receive input messages from multiple IO devices on the network. The control devices may also be configured to send output messages to one or more of the IO devices. According to certain embodiments, one control device may send output messages to certain IO devices while another IO device may send output messages to different IO devices. The input and output messages can both be sent via multicast according to certain embodiments.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for enabling the operation of multiple control devices on the same network. Each control device on a network can be configured to monitor and receive input messages from multiple IO devices on the network. The control devices may also be configured send output messages to one or more of the IO devices. According to certain embodiments, one control device may send output messages to certain IO devices while another IO device may send output messages to different IO devices. The input and output messages can both be sent via multicast according to certain embodiments.

Abstract: A method and system for a redundant control system are provided. The control system includes a high speed network bus, a controller set communicatively coupled to the network bus wherein the controller set includes at least three Fieldbus controllers, and a Fieldbus linking device communicatively coupled to each of the at least three Fieldbus controllers in the controller set and to a Fieldbus network. The control system further includes a plurality of Fieldbus devices communicatively coupled to the Fieldbus network, where at least one of the controller set, the Fieldbus linking device, and the plurality of Fieldbus devices are configured to monitor outputs from the plurality of Fieldbus devices and determine an erroneous one of the monitored outputs.

Abstract: Control systems and methods for controlling certain systems, devices, and apparatus are described. A control system may include a memory and at least one processor. The memory may be operable to store both a Foundation Fieldbus protocol that facilitates communication with one or more Foundation Fieldbus devices and a second protocol that facilitates communication with one or more control devices. The at least one processor may be operable to access both the Foundation Fieldbus protocol and the second protocol, and to control the one or more Foundation Fieldbus devices and the one or more control devices. A network may facilitate communications between the at least one processor and both the one or more Foundation Fieldbus devices using the Foundation Fieldbus protocol and the one or more control devices using the second protocol.

Abstract: Control systems and methods for controlling certain systems, devices, and apparatus are described. A control system may include a memory and at least one processor. The memory may be operable to store both a Foundation Fieldbus protocol that facilitates communication with one or more Foundation Fieldbus devices and a second protocol that facilitates communication with one or more control devices. The at least one processor may be operable to access both the Foundation Fieldbus protocol and the second protocol, and to control the one or more Foundation Fieldbus devices and the one or more control devices. A network may facilitate communications between the at least one processor and both the one or more Foundation Fieldbus devices using the Foundation Fieldbus protocol and the one or more control devices using the second protocol.

Abstract: A redundant control system for controlling an electromechanical system is provided. The control system includes a first processor, a second processor, an input-output node, a first communication channel, a second communication channel, and a signal selector. The first and second processors have a control algorithm and state variables resident thereon. The first and second processors each generate an output signal based on the control algorithm, the state variables, and an input signal from the electromechanical system. The first communication channel communicates the input signal and the output signal between the first processor and the input-output node, while the second communication channel communicates the input signal and the output signal between the second processor and the input-output node. The signal selector communicates either the output signal from the first processor or the output signal from the second processor to the electromechanical system.

Abstract: A redundant control system for controlling an electromechanical system is provided. The control system includes a first processor, a second processor, an input-output node, a first communication channel, a second communication channel, and a signal selector. The first and second processors have a control algorithm and state variables resident thereon. The first and second processors each generate an output signal based on the control algorithm, the state variables, and an input signal from the electromechanical system. The first communication channel communicates the input signal and the output signal between the first processor and the input-output node, while the second communication channel communicates the input signal and the output signal between the second processor and the input-output node. The signal selector communicates either the output signal from the first processor or the output signal from the second processor to the electromechanical system.