Abstract: During manufacturing a unique encrypted authentication code is created for each product based upon device specific information relating to that product. The unique encrypted authentication code together with the device specific information is stored in a database, and a representation of the unique encrypted authentication code is stored on the product. To determine whether a product in question is authentic, the readable representation of the unique encrypted authentication code is read and sent to a server along with a request for product authentication. The server provides an indication of authenticity of the product in question based upon the unique encrypted authentication code received and the device specific information associated with that unique encrypted authentication code in the database.

Abstract: A field device for use in an industrial process, includes a process interface element configured to measure or control a process variable. Communication circuitry is configured to communicate with another location. A communication system is configured to provide communications between at least two components in the field device. A signal inverter couples an inverted signal from the communication system to other circuitry to thereby reduce interference received by the other circuitry.

Abstract: A process transmitter includes at least one sensor which monitors a process variable, and analog-to-digital (A/D) converter circuitry coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to provide process variable data indicative of process variable values. A digital signal processor (DSP) is coupled to the A/D converter circuitry to receive the process variable data. The DSP comprises a co-processor configured to receive and perform calculations on the process variable data from the A/D converter circuitry to generate output data. Communications circuitry of the process transmitter is configured either to control communication over loop wiring which can be coupled to the process transmitter, or to control wireless communications with the process transmitter. A microprocessor, separate from the co-processor of the DSP, is coupled between the co-processor and the communications circuitry to control movement of the output data from the DSP to the communications circuitry.

Abstract: In a process variable transmitter, a sensor signal is sampled, using a clock signal, at a sensor sampling frequency. Interference is also sampled at the sensor sampling frequency. A comparison is made to determine whether the interference at the sensor sampling frequency or harmonics of the sensor sampling frequency exceed a threshold level. If so, the clock signal is changed to adjust the sensor sampling frequency away from the frequency of the interference.

Abstract: In a process variable transmitter, a sensor signal is sampled, using a clock signal, at a sensor sampling frequency. Interference is also sampled at the sensor sampling frequency. A comparison is made to determine whether the interference at the sensor sampling frequency or harmonics of the sensor sampling frequency exceed a threshold level. If so, the clock signal is changed to adjust the sensor sampling frequency away from the frequency of the interference.

Abstract: During manufacturing a unique encrypted authentication code is created for each product based upon device specific information relating to that product. The unique encrypted authentication code together with the device specific information is stored in a database, and a representation of the unique encrypted authentication code is stored on the product. To determine whether a product in question is authentic, the readable representation of the unique encrypted authentication code is read and sent to a server along with a request for product authentication. The server provides an indication of authenticity of the product in question based upon the unique encrypted authentication code received and the device specific information associated with that unique encrypted authentication code in the database.

Abstract: A process field device for use in monitoring or controlling an industrial process includes first and second loop terminals configured to couple to a two-wire industrial process control loop. Field device circuitry is configured to monitor or control a process variable of the industrial process. The field device circuitry is powered by power connections from the two-wire industrial process control loop. A current regulator is connected in series with the two-wire industrial process control loop, the first and second loop terminals and the field device circuitry. The current regulator is configured to control a loop current flowing through the two-wire process control loop. A voltage regulator is connected in parallel with the current regulator and in series with the two-wire industrial process control loop, first and second loop terminals and field device circuitry. The voltage regulator is configured to control a voltage across the field device circuitry.

Abstract: An industrial process device for monitoring or controlling an industrial process includes a first input configured to receive a first plurality of samples related to a first process variable and a second input configured to receive a second plurality of samples related to a second process variable. Compensation circuitry is configured to compensate for a time difference between the first plurality of samples and the second plurality of samples and provide a compensated output related to at least one of the first and second process variables. The compensated output can comprise, or can be used to calculate a third process variable. The third process variable can be used to monitor or control the industrial process.

Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly for sensing a pressure of a process fluid includes a sensor body having a cavity formed therein and first and second openings to the cavity configured to apply first and second pressures. A diaphragm in the cavity separates the first opening from the second opening and is configured to deflect in response to a differential pressure between the first pressure and the second pressure. A capacitance based deformation sensor is provided and configured to sense deformation of the sensor body in response to a line pressure applied to the sensor body.

Abstract: A field device for use in an industrial process, includes a process interface element configured to measure or control a process variable. Communication circuitry is configured to communicate with another location. A communication system is configured to provide communications between at least two components in the field device. A signal inverter couples an inverted signal from the communication system to other circuitry to thereby reduce interference received by the other circuitry.

Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly for sensing a pressure of a process fluid includes a sensor body having a cavity formed therein and first and second openings to the cavity configured to apply first and second pressures. A diaphragm in the cavity separates the first opening from the second opening and is configured to deflect in response to a differential pressure between the first pressure and the second pressure. A capacitance based deformation sensor is provided and configured to sense deformation of the sensor body in response to a line pressure applied to the sensor body.

Abstract: A process field device for use in monitoring or controlling an industrial process includes first and second loop terminals configured to couple to a two-wire industrial process control loop. Field device circuitry is configured to monitor or control a process variable of the industrial process. The field device circuitry is powered by power connections from the two-wire industrial process control loop. A current regulator is connected in series with the two-wire industrial process control loop, the first and second loop terminals and the field device circuitry. The current regulator is configured to control a loop current flowing through the two-wire process control loop. A voltage regulator is connected in parallel with the current regulator and in series with the two-wire industrial process control loop, first and second loop terminals and field device circuitry. The voltage regulator is configured to control a voltage across the field device circuitry.

Abstract: A field transmitter includes field device circuitry configured to measure or control a process variable. A first process control loop terminal is configured to couple to a two-wire process control loop which carries a loop current. A second process control loop terminal configured to couple to the two-wire process control loop. A switching regulator has an input and an output. The output is coupled to the transmitter circuitry and arranged to provide power to the transmitter circuitry. A variable voltage source having an input electrically coupled to the first process control loop terminal, and a voltage output coupled to the input of the switching regulator and a control input. The voltage output is a function of the control input.

Abstract: An industrial process device for monitoring or controlling an industrial process includes a first input configured to receive a first plurality of samples related to a first process variable and a second input configured to receive a second plurality of samples related to a second process variable. Compensation circuitry is configured to compensate for a time difference between the first plurality of samples and the second plurality of samples and provide a compensated output related to at least one of the first and second process variables. The compensated output can comprise, or can be used to calculate a third process variable. The third process variable can be used to monitor or control the industrial process.

Abstract: A process transmitter for measuring a process variable in an industrial process comprises a sensor module, a heating device and transmitter circuitry. The sensor module has a sensor for sensing a process variable of an industrial process and generating a sensor signal. The heating device is connected to the sensor module for generating a heat pulse to influence generation of the sensor signal. The transmitter circuitry is connected to the sensor and the heating device. The transmitter circuitry verifies operation of the sensor by measuring a change in the sensor signal due to the heat pulse. In one embodiment of the invention, the heat pulse thermally expands a volume of a fill fluid within the process transmitter. In another embodiment, the heat pulse changes a physical property, such as dielectric, of a fill fluid within the process transmitter.

Abstract: A process transmitter for measuring a process variable in an industrial process comprises a sensor module, a heating device and transmitter circuitry. The sensor module has a sensor for sensing a process variable of an industrial process and generating a sensor signal. The heating device is connected to the sensor module for generating a heat pulse to influence generation of the sensor signal. The transmitter circuitry is connected to the sensor and the heating device. The transmitter circuitry verifies operation of the sensor by measuring a change in the sensor signal due to the heat pulse. In one embodiment of the invention, the heat pulse thermally expands a volume of a fill fluid within the process transmitter. In another embodiment, the heat pulse changes a physical property, such as dielectric, of a fill fluid within the process transmitter.

Abstract: A field transmitter includes field device circuitry configured to measure or control a process variable. A first process control loop terminal is configured to couple to a two-wire process control loop which carries a loop current. A second process control loop terminal configured to couple to the two-wire process control loop. A switching regulator has an input and an output. The output is coupled to the transmitter circuitry and arranged to provide power to the transmitter circuitry. A variable voltage source having an input electrically coupled to the first process control loop terminal, and a voltage output coupled to the input of the switching regulator and a control input. The voltage output is a function of the control input.

Abstract: A process transmitter includes at least one sensor which monitors a process variable, and analog-to-digital (A/D) converter circuitry coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to provide process variable data indicative of process variable values. A digital signal processor (DSP) is coupled to the A/D converter circuitry to receive the process variable data. The DSP comprises a co-processor configured to receive and perform calculations on the process variable data from the A/D converter circuitry to generate output data. Communications circuitry of the process transmitter is configured either to control communication over loop wiring which can be coupled to the process transmitter, or to control wireless communications with the process transmitter. A microprocessor, separate from the co-processor of the DSP, is coupled between the co-processor and the communications circuitry to control movement of the output data from the DSP to the communications circuitry.

Abstract: A transmitter for use in an industrial process control system, includes a process coupling configured to couple to a process fluid. A sensor housing has a cavity formed therein which is in fluidic communication with the process fluid. A diaphragm in the cavity isolates a portion of the cavity from the process fluid and moves in response to pressure applied by the process fluid. A first electrode in the isolated portion of the cavity is configured to form a first capacitance with the diaphragm and a second electrode in the isolated portion of the cavity configured to form a second capacitance with the diaphragm. Measurement circuitry coupled to the first and second capacitance measures a pressure of the process fluid based upon at least one of the first capacitance and second capacitance. The measurement circuitry further configured to measure vibrations in the process fluid based upon at least one of the first capacitance and second capacitance.

Abstract: A scalable process transmitter architecture includes a unitized sensor module and an optional scalable transmitter. The sensor module has a sensor output that is configurable which can connect locally to a scalable transmitter module to form a transmitter, or can be wired directly to a remote receiver. The scalable transmitter can mount on the unitized sensor module and generates a scalable output for a remote receiver. The transmitter module can provide more advanced features for specific applications.