Abstract: A process control system includes a process controller level including at least one process controller, and an input/output (I/O) module level including at least one I/O module. The process controller level and the I/O module level are communicatively coupled. and each include control logic comprising control hardware or algorithm blocks. The control logic in the process controller level and the I/O module level are configured to execute and exchange data to perform process control for a process run by the process control system in a distributed fashion across the process controller level and the I/O module level.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an apparatus and method for use in industrial control systems and other systems. A method includes detecting, by a primary node, that a backup node is available and unconfigured. The method includes automatically replicating, by the primary node, the primary node to the backup node, including replicating a personality of the primary node to the backup node.

Abstract: A process control system includes a process controller level including at least one process controller, and an input/output (I/O) module level including at least one I/O module. The process controller level and the I/O module level are communicatively coupled. and each include control logic comprising control hardware or algorithm blocks. The control logic in the process controller level and the I/O module level are configured to execute and exchange data to perform process control for a process run by the process control system in a distributed fashion across the process controller level and the I/O module level.

Abstract: A method of dynamically establishing a communication connection for mobile equipment (ME) to a process controller of an industrial processing facility (IPF) configured to run an industrial process. The process controller has a computing device includes a processor with a memory storing a different ME classes including a first ME class that the ME is in. The computing device is configured to implement dynamic establishment of a communication connection for ME to the process controller, including reading a representation of a first industrial protocol for the ME while docked at the process controller, translating the representation into a first industrial protocol address, and setting the first industrial protocol address as a first configuration instance in its industrial protocol infrastructure block to render the ME an attached ME. After undocking the ME, the process controller communicates with the ME while controlling the industrial process.

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 of dynamically establishing a communication connection for mobile equipment (ME) to a process controller of an industrial processing facility (IPF) configured to run an industrial process. The process controller has a computing device includes a processor with a memory storing a different ME classes including a first ME class that the ME is in. The computing device is configured to implement dynamic establishment of a communication connection for ME to the process controller, including reading a representation of a first industrial protocol for the ME while docked at the process controller, translating the representation into a first industrial protocol address, and setting the first industrial protocol address as a first configuration instance in its industrial protocol infrastructure block to render the ME an attached ME. After undocking the ME, the process controller communicates with the ME while controlling the industrial process.

Abstract: A system and method for converting data sets. The method includes providing a data provider device (DPD) and a controller communicably coupled to one another. The controller or an interface device between the controller and the DPD includes a processor that is connected to a memory device which stores a data converter program. The memory device stores an earlier in time descriptive data set having an earlier data set format and a different later in time descriptive data set having a later data set format. The data converter program determines if a format associated with a received DPD data set is the later data set format. In response to determining that a data set format associated with the received DPD data set is the later data set format, the received DPD data set is converted into a converted data set that has the earlier data set format.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an apparatus and method for use in industrial control systems and other systems. A method includes detecting, by a primary node, that a backup node is available and unconfigured. The method includes automatically replicating, by the primary node, the primary node to the backup node, including replicating a personality of the primary node to the backup node.

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 system and method for converting data sets. The method includes providing a data provider device (DPD) and a controller communicably coupled to one another. The controller or an interface device between the controller and the DPD includes a processor that is connected to a memory device which stores a data converter program. The memory device stores an earlier in time descriptive data set having an earlier data set format and a different later in time descriptive data set having a later data set format. The data converter program determines if a format associated with a received DPD data set is the later data set format. In response to determining that a data set format associated with the received DPD data set is the later data set format, the received DPD data set is converted into a converted data set that has the earlier data set format.