Abstract: A gateway is configured to perform a method that includes receiving data from a first device using a first protocol. The first protocol is a cloud based protocol. The method also includes determining that the received data is intended for a second device that uses a second protocol. The method further includes converting the received data from the first protocol to the second protocol. In addition, the method includes transmitting the received data to the second device via the second protocol.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first network controller configured to communicate over a higher-level industrial process control network, a second network controller configured to communicate over a first lower-level industrial process control network, and a third network controller configured to communicate over a second lower-level industrial process control network. The first network controller is configured to provide first data messages from the higher-level control network to the second and third network controllers for transmission over the lower-level control networks. The second and third network controllers are configured to provide second data messages from the lower-level control networks to the first network controller for transmission over the higher-level control network.

Abstract: A multi-protocol wireless sensor network is provided. The multi-protocol wireless sensor network includes a first field device, a second field device, an access point, and a programmable logic controller (PLC). The first field device is configured to operate using a first protocol. The second field device is configured to operate using a second protocol. The access point is configured to communicate with the first field device using the first protocol and the second field device using the second protocol. The PLC is configured to control the first field device and the second field device through the access point.

Abstract: An internet of things (IoT) edge appliance is configured to perform a method that includes receiving a configuration signal to configure the IoT edge appliance to communicate with at least one of a first device on the cloud network or a second device on the industrial process control and automation system network. The method also includes configuring a communication link with a cloud network and an industrial process control and automation system network. The method further includes communicating data with the at least one of the first device on the cloud network or the second device on the industrial process control and automation system network.

Abstract: A system includes redundant first process controllers configured to communicate over redundant supervisory networks in an industrial process control and automation system. Each first process controller is configured to operate in primary or secondary mode. The system also includes redundant second process controllers configured to communicate over redundant industrial control networks in the industrial process control and automation system. Each second process controller is configured to operate in primary or secondary mode. The system further includes a private network configured to communicatively couple the first and second process controllers. Each controller could be associated with at least three Media Access Control (MAC) addresses.

Abstract: A method of process monitoring of an industrial process involving a tangible run an industrial facility includes providing an integrated facility digital twin (DT) implemented by a computer system which implements an aggregation algorithm that utilizes models including a plurality of inter-related static models for the industrial facility including an asset model that describes devices and systems in the industrial facility including sensors coupled to processing equipment and a flowsheet model, and dynamic models of the industrial facility including calculation models, symptom and fault models, dynamic simulation models, and machine learning models. The aggregation algorithm using outputs from the static models and dynamic model, generates an aggregated view including performance alerts for at least one of the process equipment and industrial process based on a current performance of the industrial process.

Abstract: A method includes receiving information identifying multiple events in an industrial process control and automation system and routing the events to one or more subscribers, where the one or more subscribers include a notification system. The method also includes translating the events into notifications using the notification system and transmitting each notification for delivery to one or more mobile end-user devices. The method could further include identifying multiple rules, where each rule defines at least one condition and at least one action. Each condition is associated with at least one event, and each action is associated with information related to the at least one event. In addition, the method could include determining whether the at least one condition of each rule is satisfied based on the information identifying the multiple events, where the notifications are generated based on each rule whose at least one condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A redundant process controller arrangement includes a primary controller and parallel connected secondary controller each coupled to actuators and sensors coupled to processing equipment. The primary and secondary controllers include a main writable memory including a cache data control algorithm, central processing unit (CPU) with cache memory including cache not supporting write-thru, tracker logic coupled to a control cycle database in a tracked memory region and to a primary tracking buffer. A redundancy link is between the CPUs for passing tracked changes. The algorithm implements memory tracking using copy-back including the primary tracker logic each cycle writing tracked changes into the primary tracking buffer, and at cycle end, transferring tracked changes from the primary tracking buffer to the secondary controller over the redundancy link, and writing tracked changes to the secondary control database.

Abstract: An internet of things (IoT) edge appliance is configured to perform a method that includes receiving a configuration signal to configure the IoT edge appliance to communicate with at least one of a first device on the cloud network or a second device on the industrial process control and automation system network. The method also includes configuring a communication link with a cloud network and an industrial process control and automation system network. The method further includes communicating data with the at least one of the first device on the cloud network or the second device on the industrial process control and automation system network.

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 includes transmitting, over a virtual private network (VPN) to a remotely-located control platform, a request for first information associated with a BOOTP protocol synchronization process. The method also includes receiving, from the control platform, a first response comprising the requested first information. The method further includes receiving, over a local network from an embedded device in a distributed control system, a request for second information associated with the BOOTP protocol. In addition, the method includes transmitting, to the embedded device, a second response comprising the requested second information.

Abstract: A method includes receiving first data from multiple wireless field devices at a remote terminal unit. The first data is received using multiple wireless communication protocols. The method also includes executing control logic at the remote terminal unit in order to control at least part of an industrial process. The method further includes communicating second data to the wireless field devices from the remote terminal unit. The second data is transmitted using the multiple wireless communication protocols. In addition, the method includes communicating at the remote terminal unit with a control system, where the remote terminal unit is at least partially controlled by the control system.

Abstract: A method includes translating at least one application source code file associated with a legacy controller in a distributed control system to instructions executable by a controller simulation computing device, wherein the legacy controller is associated with a legacy operating system and the controller simulation computing device is associated with a second operating system different from the legacy operating system. The method also includes simulating operation of the legacy controller using the instructions and an emulation of the legacy operating system in the controller simulation computing device. The method further includes determining configuration data for the legacy controller during the simulated operation of the legacy controller. In addition, the method includes saving the configuration data to a configuration data file.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first interface configured to communicate over a first industrial process control network using a first protocol. The apparatus also includes a second interface configured to communicate over a second industrial process control network using a second protocol. The apparatus further includes a third interface configured to communicate with at least one supervisory device over a third network. In addition, the apparatus includes at least one processing device configured to provide concurrent access for the at least one supervisory device to process control devices coupled to the first and second industrial process control networks during a migration of process control devices that use the first protocol to process control devices that use the second protocol.

Abstract: A gateway is configured to perform a method that includes receiving data from a first device using a first protocol. The first protocol is a cloud based protocol. The method also includes determining that the received data is intended for a second device that uses a second protocol. The method further includes converting the received data from the first protocol to the second protocol. In addition, the method includes transmitting the received data to the second device via the second protocol.

Abstract: A security appliance to perform a method that includes receiving a first set of data from a first device using a first secure protocol of a first network, the first secure protocol comprises a first level of security, and determining, by the security appliance, that the received first set of data is intended for a second device on a second network using a second secure protocol, the second secure protocol comprises a second level of security different from the first. The method includes authenticating, by the security appliance, the received first set of data from the first network using the first secure protocol for transmission through the second network using the second secure protocol while collecting and concentrating additional data from the first network and transmitting, by the security appliance, the received first set of data to the second device via the second network comprising the second secure protocol.

Abstract: An internet of things (IoT) edge appliance is configured to perform a method that includes receiving a configuration signal to configure the IoT edge appliance to communicate with at least one of a first device on the cloud network or a second device on the industrial process control and automation system network. The method also includes configuring a communication link with a cloud network and an industrial process control and automation system network. The method further includes communicating data with the at least one of the first device on the cloud network or the second device on the industrial process control and automation system network.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting a notification to an end-user device, where the notification identifies an event in an industrial process control and automation system. The method also includes obtaining contextual information associated with the event, where the contextual information includes one or more types of additional information associated with the event. The method further includes transmitting the contextual information to the end-user device. In addition, the method could include receiving a request for the contextual information from the end-user device, where the contextual information is transmitted to the end-user device in response to the request. The contextual information could be obtained from multiple devices or systems automatically in response to the request.

Abstract: A method includes receiving information identifying multiple events in an industrial process control and automation system and routing the events to one or more subscribers, where the one or more subscribers include a notification system. The method also includes translating the events into notifications using the notification system and transmitting each notification for delivery to one or more mobile end-user devices. The method could further include identifying multiple rules, where each rule defines at least one condition and at least one action. Each condition is associated with at least one event, and each action is associated with information related to the at least one event. In addition, the method could include determining whether the at least one condition of each rule is satisfied based on the information identifying the multiple events, where the notifications are generated based on each rule whose at least one condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A method includes installing new communication interfaces in first process controllers of an industrial process control and automation system. The first process controllers are configured to communicate over a first supervisory network, and the communication interfaces are configured to communicate over a second supervisory network of a different type. The method also includes migrating the first process controllers to second process controllers of a different type while maintaining control over an industrial process being controlled by the first process controllers. The second process controllers are configured to communicate over the second supervisory network.