Abstract: A control system uses a wireless network to provide communication between a host computer and field devices. The host and the field devices communicate with one another using control messages and response messages based upon a known control system protocol. The control and response messages are embedded as a payload within a wireless message that is transmitted over the wireless network. When the wireless message is received at its ultimate destination, the control or response message is separated from the wireless message and is delivered to the intended recipient (either a field device or the host computer).

Abstract: A control system uses a wireless network to provided communication between a host computer and field devices. The field devices are normally maintained in a lower power or sleep state. Only field devices that will be involved in a communication with the host computer are turned On and maintained On until communication between the field devices and the host computer is completed.

Abstract: A host computer communicates with field devices by sending control messages and receiving response messages over a wireless network. When the host computer sends a control message to the wireless network, the host computer is provided with a predictive response time within which the field device receiving the message will respond. The wireless network cycles between a sleep state and an active state based upon a wireless network power cycle. The predicted response time is based upon the current state of the wireless network, the power cycle, and the time required for the field device to turn on, take an action (such as measuring a parameter), and generating a response message.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network routes messages between a host computer and a plurality of field devices. The mesh network is synchronized to a global regular active schedule that defines active periods when messages can be transmitted or received by nodes of the network, and inactive periods when messages cannot be transmitted or received. Based upon messages to be sent by the host computer to selected field devices, the network is controlled to selectively maintain active those nodes required to route messages to the selected field devices. Those required nodes are maintained in an active state as long as communication with the selected field devices continues, while other nodes are allowed to return to a low power inactive state. When communication between the host computer and the selected field devices is no longer required, the entire network is allowed to enter the low power inactive state.

Abstract: A host computer communicates with field devices over a wireless network that includes a gateway and a plurality of wireless nodes. At least one of the field devices is associated with each wireless node, and each field device has a unique field device address. The host computer sends control messages to field devices using their field device addresses. The gateway translates the field device address of a control message to a wireless address of the wireless node with which the field device is associated. The gateway sends a wireless message over the network to the wireless node at the wireless address. The message contains the field device address so that, when the wireless message is received and opened, the control message from the host computer can be routed to the intended field device based upon the field device address.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying operation of process variable transmitters in process control or monitoring systems is provided. A process variable is measured with a process variable transmitter to verify operation of the process variable transmitter by comparing the process variable with a reference. A data entry is placed in a database which indicates operation of the process variable transmitter has been verified.

Abstract: An originating application in a process plant is able to launch multiple desired applications, with one or more of the desired applications having a different application programming interface. In one example, the originating application is able to launch multiple desired applications via an application launcher program. The originating application provides the application launcher program with an indication of the desired application to be launched, and the application launcher program then launches the indicated desired application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying operation of process variable transmitters in process control or monitoring systems is provided. A process variable is measured with a process variable transmitter to verify operation of the process variable transmitter by comparing the process variable with a reference. A data entry is placed in a database which indicates operation of the process variable transmitter has been verified.

Abstract: An originating application in a process plant is able to launch multiple desired applications, with one or more of the desired applications having a different application programming interface. In one example, the originating application is able to launch multiple desired applications via an application launcher program. The originating application provides the application launcher program with an indication of the desired application to be launched, and the application launcher program then launches the indicated desired application.

Abstract: A component support assembly releasably retains, electrically insulates and improves thermal transfer of a plurality of vertically stacked electrical components associated with the operation of a printed circuit card. Each of a plurality of integrally-molded component support structures made of a electrically insulating material has a base member, a receiving member for releasably retaining electrical components thereto and pins for anchoring the base member to a printed circuit card. The base member has apertures so that the electrical leads of the electrical components can pass through the base member and connect to the conductors of the printed circuit card. The base member is shaped so that major planar surfaces of the electrical components are retained at an acute angle relative to vertical, thereby improving thermal transfer from the electrical components to the ambient air when a plurality of like component support structures are mounted on the printed circuit card.