Abstract: A computing cloud system includes at least one data storage unit configured to store information associated with at least one manufacturing execution system. The computing cloud system also includes at least one processing unit configured to execute instructions associated with the at least one manufacturing execution system and at least one communications interface configured to receive information from the at least one manufacturing site and to interpret the information.

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 system includes a computing cloud having at least one data storage unit and at least one processing unit. The computing cloud is configured to receive information associated with at least one process collected by an industrial tool, archive the process-related information, analyze the process-related information, and instruct a client device on a type of data to be cached by the client device. §The industrial tool could include a sensor configured to collect data associated with industrial equipment. Also, the client device may be associated with a local environment, the sensor may be configured to capture sensor readings at a specified interval, and the local environment may be configured to use a subset of the sensor readings. The client device can be configured to provide all of the sensor readings to the computing cloud.

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: 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 system includes at least one industrial control and automation field device and a remote terminal unit (RTU). The RTU includes input/output (I/O) terminals configured to be coupled to the field devices. The RTU also includes one or more I/O modules having one or more reconfigurable I/O channels configured to be coupled to the I/O terminals. Each reconfigurable I/O channel is configurable as an analog input, an analog input supporting digital communication, an analog output, an analog output supporting digital communication, a digital input, a digital output, and a pulse accumulator input. The RTU further includes at least one processing device configured to control a configuration of each of the one or more reconfigurable I/O channels.

Abstract: System (200) and method (400) for enabling peer-to-peer communications between controllers (2041, . . . , 204N, 2221, . . . , 222N) of at least two control systems (202, 218). The system (200) include a first control system (FCS) having a first controller (FC) communicatively coupled to a first input/output (I/O) processing module (2121, . . . , 212N) via a first I/O network (2141, . . . , 214N). The first I/O processing module is communicatively coupled to first automation equipment (216). The second control system (SCS) includes a second controller (SC) communicatively coupled to the FC via the first I/O network. The first I/O network provides peer-to-peer communications between the FC and SC. The SC is configured to emulate the first I/O processing module. More particularly, the SC is configured to match an internal I/O configuration with an I/O configuration of the FC.

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 disconnecting a first component from a first network. The first component is redundant to a second component and operates in a secondary or passive redundancy mode. The second component operates in a primary or active redundancy mode and is coupled to the first network. The method also includes updating at least one of hardware and software on the first component to allow the first component to communicate on a second network. The method further includes connecting the updated first component to the second network and synchronizing data between the updated first component on the second network and the second component on the first network. In addition, the method includes switching the updated first component from the secondary redundancy mode to the primary redundancy mode.

Abstract: A system includes a computing cloud comprising at least one data storage unit and at least one processing unit. The computing cloud is configured to connect to at least one client and monitor the traffic of the at least one client. The computing cloud is further configured to determine an operational mode of the client, compare the monitored traffic with an anticipated traffic pattern associated with the operational mode, and determine if a security threat is indicated based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method includes determining first and second communication paths from a leaf node of a plurality of leaf nodes to first and second gateway nodes, respectively, of a plurality of gateway nodes. The first and second communication paths may include first and second intermediate nodes, respectively, of a plurality of intermediate nodes. A wireless message is sent from the leaf node to the first and second gateway nodes via the first and second communication paths, respectively. Information in the wireless message is communicated from at least one of the first and second gateway nodes to a component of a process control system.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for integrating multiple communication systems including multiple wireless communication protocols into a single system are discussed. In an illustrative example, a communication system includes a device adapted to communicate via first and second wireless communication protocols. The system may further include local area network or other wired sub-network, with the device adapted for first and second protocols also being adapted to operate using the local area network or other wired sub-network.

Abstract: A system includes a computing cloud having at least one data storage unit and at least one processing unit. The computing cloud is configured to provide at least one service. The system also includes a plurality of clients each configured to communicate with the computing cloud and at least one industrial automation unit and to transmit information associated with the at least one industrial automation unit to the computing cloud. The at least one processing unit in the computing cloud is configured to determine a status of the at least one industrial automation unit using the information provided the clients.

Abstract: A wireless marshalling panel includes a field device protocol communication link. The wireless marshalling panel is capable of receiving a message from a wireless device and transmitting a corresponding message to a process controller via the communication link. The panel is also capable of receiving a message from the process controller via the communication link and transmitting a corresponding message to the wireless device. The messages transmitted and received via the communication link may be an analog current signal or a frequency shift keying signal. The wireless marshalling panel may include a second field device protocol communication link and also be capable of receiving a message via the second communication link and transmitting a corresponding message to a second wireless device. The wireless marshalling panel may also be capable of receiving a message from the second wireless device and transmitting a corresponding message via the second communication link.

Abstract: A method includes disconnecting a first component from a first network. The first component is redundant to a second component and operates in a secondary or passive redundancy mode. The second component operates in a primary or active redundancy mode and is coupled to the first network. The method also includes updating at least one of hardware and software on the first component to allow the first component to communicate on a second network. The method further includes connecting the updated first component to the second network and synchronizing data between the updated first component on the second network and the second component on the first network. In addition, the method includes switching the updated first component from the secondary redundancy mode to the primary redundancy mode.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a request to install a software release, where the software release is to be installed on a first device and/or a second device. The method also includes initiating installation of the software release on the second device and determining whether or not a user wishes to continue with the installation of the software release. The method further includes initiating installation of the software release on the first device if the user wishes to continue. In addition, the method includes restoring a second software release on the second device if the user does not wish to continue. The first and second devices may represent redundant devices, such as a redundant set of controllers in a process control system or a redundant set of I/O modules that facilitate communication between one or more controllers and one or more process elements in the process control system.

Abstract: A system includes a computing cloud having at least one data storage unit and at least one processing unit. The computing cloud is configured to provide at least one service. The system also includes a client configured to communicate with the computing cloud and to selectively offload data to the computing cloud based upon one or more specified criteria. The client is also configured to offload processes to the computing cloud based upon the one or more specified criteria and to use the at least one service of the computing cloud. At least one of the specified criteria may be based upon a determination of whether the data is required for at least one real time process and/or a determination of whether each process is required for at least one real time process. The system may be used in a data storage and retention application or in an industrial automation application.

Abstract: A system for integrating a wireless network with wired field devices includes a field unit that communicates with the wired field devices using a first wired field device protocol. A gateway wirelessly communicates with the field unit and communicates over a network using one or more second wired field device protocols. The gateway also converts between the first wired field device protocol and the one or more second wired field device protocols. The gateway could further permit access to the wired field devices by a component of the process control system (such as a process controller, asset management tool, or configuration tool) that does not support the first wired field device protocol. At least one of the field unit and the gateway could appear as a multiplexer or linking device to the component of the process control system, such as a HART multiplexer or a Foundation Fieldbus or Profibus linking device.

Abstract: A computing cloud system includes at least one data storage unit configured to store information associated with at least one manufacturing execution system. The computing cloud system also includes at least one processing unit configured to execute instructions associated with the at least one manufacturing execution system and at least one communications interface configured to receive information from the at least one manufacturing site and to interpret the information.

Abstract: A system includes a computing cloud having at least one data storage unit and at least one processing unit. The computing cloud is configured to provide at least one service. The system also includes a plurality of clients each configured to communicate with the computing cloud and at least one industrial automation unit and to transmit information associated with the at least one industrial automation unit to the computing cloud. The at least one processing unit in the computing cloud is configured to determine a status of the at least one industrial automation unit using the information provided the clients.