Abstract: A device menu controls connector for a process automation field device include a field device part and a removable knob assembly. The field device part includes one or more Hall effect sensors, and the knob assembly includes one or more magnets. When the knob assembly is attached to the field device part, the knob may be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise, or may be pushed or pulled. The interaction of the magnets and Hall effect sensors allow the field device to sense the rotation and the pushing and pulling of the knob. The programming of the field device allows the device menu controls connector to simulate <Up>, <Down>, <Right>, <Left>, <Enter>, and <Esc> key presses of a user interface. A field device having such a device menu controls connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device menu controls connector for a process automation field device include a field device part and a removable knob assembly. The field device part includes one or more Hall effect sensors, and the knob assembly includes one or more magnets. When the knob assembly is attached to the field device part, the knob may be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise, or may be pushed or pulled. The interaction of the magnets and Hall effect sensors allow the field device to sense the rotation and the pushing and pulling of the knob. The programming of the field device allows the device menu controls connector to simulate <Up>, <Down>, <Right>, <Left>, <Enter>, and <Esc> key presses of a user interface. A field device having such a device menu controls connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a state of charge of a battery of a field device wherein the field device includes the battery, a voltage converter and a battery-powered component connected to the voltage converter, is disclosed. The method includes enabling the voltage converter and subsequently operating the voltage converter in duty cycles based on a current flowing from the battery to the voltage converter by repeatedly: disabling the voltage converter when the current exceeds an upper limit and enabling the voltage converter again when the current drops below a lower limit; and at least once determining and providing a state of charge of the battery determined based on a duration of at least one first time interval during which the voltage converter was enabled during one of the duty cycles and a previously determined dependency of the durations on the state of charge of the battery.

Abstract: A field device comprising: a device electronic; a bus interface embodied to connect the field device to a field bus and a surface acoustic wave connecting the device electronic to the bus interface is disclosed. The bus interface includes a bus driver transmitting communication signals corresponding to digital transmission signal provided by the device electronic onto the field bus and a bus receiver receiving communication signals from the bus and providing corresponding digital reception signals to the device electronic. The surface acoustic wave transceiver transmits the digital transmission signals provided by the device electronic to the bus driver and transmits the digital reception signals provided by the bus receiver to the device electronic. Thereby, the surface acoustic wave transceiver galvanically isolates the device electronic from the bus driver and the bus receiver.

Abstract: A field device comprising: a device electronic; a bus interface embodied to connect the field device to a field bus and a surface acoustic wave connecting the device electronic to the bus interface is disclosed. The bus interface includes a bus driver transmitting communication signals corresponding to digital transmission signal provided by the device electronic onto the field bus and a bus receiver receiving communication signals from the bus and providing corresponding digital reception signals to the device electronic. The surface acoustic wave transceiver transmits the digital transmission signals provided by the device electronic to the bus driver and transmits the digital reception signals provided by the bus receiver to the device electronic. Thereby, the surface acoustic wave transceiver galvanically isolates the device electronic from the bus driver and the bus receiver.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a state of charge of a battery of a field device wherein the field device includes the battery, a voltage converter and a battery-powered component connected to the voltage converter, is disclosed. The method includes enabling the voltage converter and subsequently operating the voltage converter in duty cycles based on a current flowing from the battery to the voltage converter by repeatedly: disabling the voltage converter when the current exceeds an upper limit and enabling the voltage converter again when the current drops below a lower limit; and at least once determining and providing a state of charge of the battery determined based on a duration of at least one first time interval during which the voltage converter was enabled during one of the duty cycles and a previously determined dependency of the durations on the state of charge of the battery.

Abstract: A bidirectional serial communication interface comprising a slave powered by a master connected to the slave via a signal line and a return line is disclosed. The master includes a master switch inserted in a line connecting a supply voltage to the signal line and a transceiver transmitting binary signals by opening and closing the master switch and receiving binary signals whilst the master switch is open. The slave includes an energy storage charged via the signal line and providing an internal power supply; a pull-up switch inserted in a line connecting the signal line to the internal power supply; a pull-down switch inserted in a line connecting the signal line to the return line; and a transceiver transmitting binary signals by opening and closing the pull-up and the pull-down switch whilst the master switch is open and receiving binary signals whilst the pull-up and the pull-down switch are open.

Abstract: A module for asynchronous differential serial communication on a bus is disclosed. The module is connectable to the bus in a first connecting mode, wherein a non-inverting terminal of the module is connected to a non-inverted bus signal line and an inverting terminal is connected to an inverted bus signal line, and a second connecting mode given by an inverse of the first connecting mode. The module includes a detector determining the connecting mode based on the binary state of a start bit of a reception signal provided by a transceiver of the module based on a received communication signal and a binary state of a first bit of a reference signal corresponding to a voltage difference between the voltages of the signals received via the non-inverted and the inverted terminal during reception of this communication signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data cable connector for a field device of process automation, wherein the data cable connector has a field device part and a data cable part. The field device part includes one or more magnetically activated switches. The data cable part includes a magnet. The field device is configured to determine from the states of the magnetically activated switches whether the data cable part is connected with the field device part, and if so, in what orientation. Based on the states of the magnetically activated switches, the field device may enable and disable communication circuits within the field device including any PHY circuits and modems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of enabling and disabling Bluetooth communication in a WirelessHART field device of process automation technology Also disclosed is a process automation system implementing the inventive method of enabling and disabling Bluetooth communication in a WirelessHART field device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of enabling and disabling Bluetooth communication in a WirelessHART field device of process automation technology Also disclosed is a process automation system implementing the inventive method of enabling and disabling Bluetooth communication in a WirelessHART field device.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a voltage output circuit for use in a process automation field device, the voltage output circuit including an op-amp configured to supply the output voltage. The output circuit's op-amp is connected to the process automation system though a normally open switch. The normally open switch is closed only when the voltage output circuit is properly powered and operating. An improper connection of a power supply to the voltage output circuit will not power the voltage output circuit, and thus the switch remains open and protects the voltage output circuit from power being drawn in from the improper connection. The disclosure includes also a transceiver circuit having similar power draw protection.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a hybrid Power over Ethernet/Device Level Ring network in which power is delivered to connected devices on the same cable in which data are delivered, and the devices are configured to connect to the network in a daisy-chain fashion. The network of the disclosure may be configured to operate as a token ring. According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a hybrid PoE/DLR network switch and a hybrid PoE/DLR network device for such a PoE/DLR hybrid network are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining a level of a medium in a container includes steps of generating a first transmitting signal having a first predetermined frequency and transmitting the first transmitting signal toward the medium. The method also includes steps of receiving a first reflected signal from the medium that corresponds to the first transmitting signal, and determining a phase difference between a phase of the first transmitting signal and a phase of the first reflected signal. The method further includes a step of determining the level of the medium based on the first predetermined frequency and the phase difference.

Abstract: A system to visually select a wireless process automation transmitter using a smart glass device is provided. The wireless process automation transmitter is preconfigured with transmitter identification data and transmitter location data relative to a reference location. The wireless process automation transmitter is configured to wirelessly broadcast the transmitter identification data and the transmitter location data. The smart glass device is preconfigured with smart glass device location data relative to the reference location. The smart glass device is configured to: update the smart glass device location data based on movement of the smart glass device; determine an orientation angle of the smart glass device; select the wireless process automation transmitter based on the transmitter location data, the smart glass device location data, and the orientation angle; wirelessly receive a status from the wireless process automation transmitter; and display the status on the smart glass device.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a voltage output circuit for use in a process automation field device, the voltage output circuit including an op-amp configured to supply the output voltage. The output circuit's op-amp is connected to the process automation system though a normally open switch. The normally open switch is closed only when the voltage output circuit is properly powered and operating. An improper connection of a power supply to the voltage output circuit will not power the voltage output circuit, and thus the switch remains open and protects the voltage output circuit from power being drawn in from the improper connection. The disclosure includes also a transceiver circuit having similar power draw protection.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a hybrid Power over Ethernet/Device Level Ring network in which power is delivered to connected devices on the same cable in which data are delivered, and the devices are configured to connect to the network in a daisy-chain fashion. The network of the disclosure may be configured to operate as a token ring. According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a hybrid PoE/DLR network switch and a hybrid PoE/DLR network device for such a PoE/DLR hybrid network are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a voltage output circuit for use in a process automation field device, the voltage output circuit including an op-amp configured to supply the output voltage. The output circuit's op-amp is connected to the process automation system though a normally open switch. The normally open switch is closed only when the voltage output circuit is properly powered and operating. An improper connection of a power supply to the voltage output circuit will not power the voltage output circuit, and thus the switch remains open and protects the voltage output circuit from power being drawn in from the improper connection. The disclosure includes also a transceiver circuit having similar power draw protection.

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: The disclosure includes a voltage output circuit for use in a process automation field device, the voltage output circuit including an op-amp configured to supply the output voltage. The output circuit's op-amp is connected to the process automation system though a normally open switch. The normally open switch is closed only when the voltage output circuit is properly powered and operating. An improper connection of a power supply to the voltage output circuit will not power the voltage output circuit, and thus the switch remains open and protects the voltage output circuit from power being drawn in from the improper connection. The disclosure includes also a transceiver circuit having similar power draw protection.