Abstract: A method for communicating with at least one field device via an interface device, wherein each field device is connected to a channel of the interface device, where the method includes receiving a first command associated with a first field device, from an industrial device, communicating with the first field device over a first communication channel for executing the received first command, receiving at least one command associated with the at least one field device, from the industrial device, the at least one commands including at least one command associated with a second field device from the at least one field device, and caching the at least one command in a memory module prior to the execution of the first command.

Abstract: A data recorder contains a HART multiplexer with channels that are provided with coupling members for capacitive coupling to multiple HART field devices supplied via current loops, wherein a HART modem is arranged downstream of the HART multiplexer, and downstream of the HART modem is a processor with an interface that controls HART communication of the data recorder, where to automatically and quickly identify changes in the connection configuration of field devices capacitively connected to the HART multiplexer, a pulse discriminator is connected at each channel that detects signal pulses induced by the loop current on the channel being interrupted and/or switched on and which differ from HART signals and upon detection generates an interrupt signal for the processor, and in response to the interrupt signal, the processor terminates HART communications on the channel and generates a HART command for requesting identification of a HART field device on the channel.

Abstract: A method for communicating with at least one field device via an interface device, wherein each field device is connected to a channel of the interface device, where the method includes receiving a first command associated with a first field device, from an industrial device, communicating with the first field device over a first communication channel for executing the received first command, receiving at least one command associated with the at least one field device, from the industrial device, the at least one commands including at least one command associated with a second field device from the at least one field device, and caching the at least one command in a memory module prior to the execution of the first command.

Abstract: A data recorder contains a HART multiplexer with channels that are provided with coupling members for capacitive coupling to multiple HART field devices supplied via current loops, wherein a HART modem is arranged downstream of the HART multiplexer, and downstream of the HART modem is a processor with an interface that controls HART communication of the data recorder, where to automatically and quickly identify changes in the connection configuration of field devices capacitively connected to the HART multiplexer, a pulse discriminator is connected at each channel that detects signal pulses induced by the loop current on the channel being interrupted and/or switched on and which differ from HART signals and upon detection generates an interrupt signal for the processor, and in response to the interrupt signal, the processor terminates HART communications on the channel and generates a HART command for requesting identification of a HART field device on the channel.

Abstract: A surge protection circuit protection circuit includes a first series-connected line formed by at least two TVSs connected in series. One end of the line is connected to a positive terminal, and another is connected to a negative terminal. A second series-connected line is formed by at least one TSS. One end is connected between the at least two TVSs in the first series-connected line, and another end is grounded. The first line is connected in parallel to a protected circuit. When a differential-mode surge voltage appears at the ends of the first line, a voltage of a backend connection circuit is clamped to a first value. When a common-mode surge voltage appears at the two ends of the first line to the ground end, respectively, voltages to ground of the positive terminal and the negative terminal are reduced to a second value.

Abstract: Methods and electronic devices are disclosed for supplying a load with an input voltage including determining a level of a supply voltage. The method includes enabling a voltage step-down unit while disabling a voltage step-up unit when the supply voltage exceeds a first threshold voltage. The method includes enabling a voltage step-up unit while disabling a voltage step-down unit when the supply voltage is below a second threshold voltage. The electronic device includes a voltage step-up unit for stepping up the supply voltage below a first threshold, a voltage step-down unit for stepping down the supply voltage above a second threshold, and a switching unit coupled to the voltage step-up unit and the voltage step-down unit. The switching unit is configured to at least one of enable and bypass at least one of the voltage step-down unit and the voltage step-up unit based on the level of the supply voltage.

Abstract: An analog output stage of a field device employed in process automation is provided. The analog output stage regulates an analog output, for example, a loop current flowing in a two wire current loop, based on an input, for example, a process variable such as temperature, pressure, etc., detected by the field device. The analog output stage includes a regulator module and a switching module. The switching module, via a switching pulse width modulated signal, alternately applies to the regulator module, a first analog value associated with the input detected by the field device and a predefined analog output, and a second analog value associated with the analog output. The regulator module includes an integrator and a differential amplifier. The regulator module generates a differential analog output based on the first analog value and the second analog value and regulates the analog output based on the differential analog output.

Abstract: A surge protection circuit protection circuit includes a first series-connected line formed by at least two TVSs connected in series. One end of the line is connected to a positive terminal, and another is connected to a negative terminal. A second series-connected line is formed by at least one TSS. One end is connected between the at least two TVSs in the first series-connected line, and another end is grounded. The first line is connected in parallel to a protected circuit. When a differential-mode surge voltage appears at the ends of the first line, a voltage of a backend connection circuit is clamped to a first value. When a common-mode surge voltage appears at the two ends of the first line to the ground end, respectively, voltages to ground of the positive terminal and the negative terminal are reduced to a second value.

Abstract: Methods and electronic devices are disclosed for supplying a load with an input voltage including determining a level of a supply voltage. The method includes enabling a voltage step-down unit while disabling a voltage step-up unit when the supply voltage exceeds a first threshold voltage. The method includes enabling a voltage step-up unit while disabling a voltage step-down unit when the supply voltage is below a second threshold voltage. The electronic device includes a voltage step-up unit for stepping up the supply voltage below a first threshold, a voltage step-down unit for stepping down the supply voltage above a second threshold, and a switching unit coupled to the voltage step-up unit and the voltage step-down unit. The switching unit is configured to at least one of enable and bypass at least one of the voltage step-down unit and the voltage step-up unit based on the level of the supply voltage.

Abstract: A measurement transducer for process instrumentation includes a sensor for detecting a physical or chemical quantity, where a supply voltage to the sensor is regulated by a cross regulator to a constant value, and the current intensity of the current adjusted by the cross regulator and flowing parallel to the sensor is determined and monitored to maintain a specified criterion in order to detect a sensor error such that error conditions of the sensor can be determined in a particularly simple and effective way.

Abstract: A measurement transducer for process instrumentation includes a sensor for detecting a physical or chemical quantity, where a supply voltage to the sensor is regulated by a cross regulator to a constant value, and the current intensity of the current adjusted by the cross regulator and flowing parallel to the sensor is determined and monitored to maintain a specified criterion in order to detect a sensor error such that error conditions of the sensor can be determined in a particularly simple and effective way.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for detecting and digitizing an analog input signal and to a field device for process instrumentation, wherein the field device comprises such a circuit arrangement which includes a first electronics unit, a second electronics unit, and an interface by which the two electronics units are galvanically separated from each other. A first signal is generated at a first frequency in the second electronics unit. A voltage frequency converter, to which the analog input signal is routed, uses a reference frequency to generate a second signal at a second frequency that corresponds to the level of the analog input signal. After the second signal has been transmitted to the second electronics unit using an optical coupler, a ratiometric measurement of the second frequency is performed in the second electronics unit dependent on the first frequency using a capture timer.

Abstract: A field device for process instrumentation, in particular a measuring transducer, comprising an analogue output to which a two-wire line is connectable for transmitting an analogue output signal. The output circuit contains a controller with an actuator connected downstream for the analogue output signal. A monitoring unit monitors whether an actuating signal remains within a predeterminable value range to monitor the output circuit for correctly setting the loop current. If the actuating signal is outside the value range, an indicator signal is output to a computing unit so that suitable measures can be introduced in response to an error state that has thus been identified.

Abstract: A method for accurately acquiring multiple analog input signals that are converted using a plurality of A/D converters into corresponding digital single measured values. A first measurement averaging cycle having a predetermined total number of measuring intervals is predetermined by a higher-order control unit. First and second input signals are acquired by first and second A/D converters in a first and second number of measuring intervals, the second number being smaller than the first number. The first and second input signals are averaged to form first and second measured values, respectively. The first input signal is acquired by the second A/D converter in a third number of measuring intervals as at least one further single measured value.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for detecting and digitizing an analog input signal and to a field device for process instrumentation, wherein the field device comprises such a circuit arrangement which includes a first electronics unit, a second electronics unit, and an interface by which the two electronics units are galvanically separated from each other. A first signal is generated at a first frequency in the second electronics unit. A voltage frequency converter, to which the analog input signal is routed, uses a reference frequency to generate a second signal at a second frequency that corresponds to the level of the analog input signal. After the second signal has been transmitted to the second electronics unit using an optical coupler, a ratiometric measurement of the second frequency is performed in the second electronics unit dependent on the first frequency using a capture timer.

Abstract: A field device for process instrumentation having an interface for connecting a two-wire cable and for outputting measurement values, wherein the interface comprises a series circuit having a transistor circuit by which the loop current is adjustable as a function of a control signal, a power supply, and a device by which the loop current can be captured as an actual value that is fed by a first feedback coupling to a regulator having integrated behavior. The regulator compares the actual value to a target value, and generates a control signal for the transistor circuit. The actual value is fed by a second feedback coupling to a summation point as a compensation signal for generating an input signal for the transistor circuit as a function of the control signal and the compensation signal to suppress interference coupled into the two-conductor line.

Abstract: A field device for process instrumentation having an interface for connecting a two-wire cable and for outputting measurement values, wherein the interface comprises a series circuit having a transistor circuit by which the loop current is adjustable as a function of a control signal, a power supply, and a device by which the loop current can be captured as an actual value that is fed by a first feedback coupling to a regulator having integrated behavior. The regulator compares the actual value to a target value, and generates a control signal for the transistor circuit. The actual value is fed by a second feedback coupling to a summation point as a compensation signal for generating an input signal for the transistor circuit as a function of the control signal and the compensation signal to suppress interference coupled into the two-conductor line.

Abstract: A method for securely acquiring multiple analog input signals that are converted using a plurality of A/D converters into corresponding digital single measured values. A first measurement averaging cycle having a predetermined total number of measuring intervals is predetermined by a higher-order control unit. First and second input signals are acquired by first and second A/D converters in a first and second number of measuring intervals, the second number being smaller than the first number. The first and second input signals are averaged to form first and second measured values, respectively. The first input signal is acquired by the second A/D converter in a third number of measuring intervals as at least one further single measured value.

Abstract: A measuring transducer for process instrumentation that comprises a sensor for sensing a physical or chemical variable, wherein the sensor includes at least one electrical element embedded in a substrate comprising semiconducting material and is electrically separated therefrom by a blocked PN junction during normal operation. In order to monitor the condition of the sensor, the PN junction is connected in the conducting direction in a test mode, and the electrical property of the PN junction, i.e., the forward voltage, is determined and used to monitor the sensor condition. Additionally, a temperature sensor mounted on the sensor can be monitored by determining, based on the dependence of the forward voltage on the temperature, a comparative value for the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. If major differences occur, a conclusion can be reached that there is a failure of the sensor, and a corresponding error message can be output over a field bus.

Abstract: A field device for process instrumentation, in particular a measuring transducer, comprising an analogue output to which a two-wire line is connectable for transmitting an analogue output signal. The output circuit contains a controller with an actuator connected downstream for the analogue output signal. A monitoring unit monitors whether an actuating signal remains within a predeterminable value range to monitor the output circuit for correctly setting the loop current. If the actuating signal is outside the value range, an indicator signal is output to a computing unit so that suitable measures can be introduced in response to an error state that has thus been identified.