Abstract: A location awareness system including a communication network, and a network operating element coupled to the communication network. At least one anchor network gateway is coupled to the communication network, the at least one anchor network gateway configured to generate a wireless anchor network. A plurality of anchors are configured to couple to one of the at least one anchor network gateway via its respective wireless anchor network. A plurality of tags is each configured to communicate with at least one anchor to provide ranging information for determination of a position of the tag within an area covered by the system.

Abstract: A location awareness system including a communication network, and a network operating element coupled to the communication network. At least one anchor network gateway is coupled to the communication network, the at least one anchor network gateway configured to generate a wireless anchor network. A plurality of anchors are configured to couple to one of the at least one anchor network gateway via its respective wireless anchor network. A plurality of tags is each configured to communicate with at least one anchor to provide ranging information for determination of a position of the tag within an area covered by the system.

Abstract: A first node sends a first message to a second node. The second node sends a second message to the first node. A first elapsed time is measured from the beginning of the transmission of the first message to the beginning of receipt of the second message. A second elapsed time is measured from the beginning of the receipt of the first message to the beginning of the transmission of the second message. The second node sends a third message to the first node containing the second elapsed time. The distance between the first and second node is calculated based on these elapsed times and a calibration count multiplier contained in the second or third message. A node may be moved within a wireless mesh network. Positional information about the node and distances to its neighbors is determined and transmitted to the network manager where it is stored.

Abstract: A wireless power and communication unit for field devices is configured to connect to a field device and provide operating power and wired digital communication between the unit and the field device. RF circuitry in the unit is configured for radio frequency communication. In one embodiment, power supply circuitry in the unit includes one or more solar power cells that convert solar energy into electricity to power both the unit and the field device. The unit interacts with the field device in accordance with a standard industry communication protocol. The unit communicates wirelessly with an external device, such as a control room, based upon the interaction with the field device.

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 first node sends a first message to a second node. The second node sends a second message to the first node. A first elapsed time is measured from the beginning of the transmission of the first message to the beginning of receipt of the second message. A second elapsed time is measured from the beginning of the receipt of the first message to the beginning of the transmission of the second message. The second node sends a third message to the first node containing the second elapsed time. The distance between the first and second node is calculated based on these elapsed times and a calibration count multiplier contained in the second or third message. A node may be moved within a wireless mesh network. Positional information about the node and distances to its neighbors is determined and transmitted to the network manager where it is stored.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network uses communication frames that can include timeslots of different sizes depending on communication speed capabilities of the devices assigned to the timeslots. The communication frame is divided into timeslot increments of equal length. The timeslots are made up of one or more timeslot increments.

Abstract: A method and device or monitoring parameters in a process reduces power consumption and bandwidth requirements in the transmission of the monitored parameter to for example, a monitoring application. In particular, new monitoring parameter values are only transmitted if the difference between a measured or calculated parameter value and the most recently transmitted value exceeds a limit, since the last communication of the parameter or if the time since the last communication of the parameter exceeds a preset refresh period. The determination as to whether to transmit the parameter can be applied to engineering unit values or raw values.

Abstract: A field device for use in an industrial process control or monitoring system includes terminals configured to connect to a two-wire process control loop. The loop carries data and provides power to the field device. RF circuitry in the field device is provided for radio frequency communication. A power supply powers the RF circuitry using power received from the two-wire process control loop.

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: An industrial field device provides information indicative of a process variable. The field device includes a controller, communication circuitry, a process variable sensor and measurement circuitry. The communication circuitry is coupled to the controller. The process variable sensor has an electrical characteristic that changes based on a variable of a process fluid. The measurement circuitry is coupled to the process variable sensor and coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to generate communication via the communication circuitry relative to the process variable, and to provide an indication of sand flow or other solids in the fluid.

Abstract: A field mountable interface module is provided. The intelligent interface module includes at least one data connection port configured to couple to a data communication network as well as at least one process communication connection port configured to couple to a field device bus. The intelligent interface module also includes a controller and memory coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to provide a higher order function with respect to one or more field devices and/or field device buses. Higher order functions include calibration support, complex device support, diagnostic support, distributed control system support, and virtual field device functions.

Abstract: An interface module for use in a process monitoring and control system has an Ethernet port, a controller, and at least one segment I/O module. The Ethernet port is adapted to send and receive signals in an Ethernet protocol over a cable comprising a plurality of wires and to receive a voltage potential from at least one pair of the plurality of wires. The controller is coupled to the Ethernet port and powered from the received voltage potential. The at least one segment I/O module is coupled to the controller and is adapted to couple to an associated field device segment with at least one attached field device. The at least one segment I/O module is adapted to interact with the at least one attached field device on the associated field device segment.

Abstract: A distributed control and/or monitoring system and method includes a local application and a remote application separated from the local application. The local application includes a host computer. The remote application includes a plurality of field devices and a communication bus connected to the plurality of field devices. Packet messages are wirelessly communicated between the local application and the remote application such that the host computer and field devices can communicate with each other as if they were directly connected to the same communication bus.

Abstract: A two-wire field-mounted process device with multiple isolated channels includes a channel that can be an input channel or an output channel. The given input or output channel can couple to multiple sensors or actuators, respectively. The process device is wholly powered by the two-wire process control loop. The process device includes a controller adapted to measure one or more characteristics of sensors coupled to an input channel and to control actuators coupled to an output channel. The controller can be further adapted to execute a user generated control algorithm relating process input information with process output commands. The process device also includes a loop communicator that is adapted to communicate over the two-wire loop.

Abstract: An interface module (200) and method for operation include ports (302a-b) for communicating over a network (308) with a first protocol to a plurality of field devices (102a-n). The interface module also has a port (316) for communicating with a process controller (114) via a high speed network and protocol such as High Speed Ethernet (HSE). The interface module (200) includes a controller (320) for implementing a plurality of process function modules (322, 324, 325), each of the plurality of process function modules (322, 324, 325) corresponding to one of the plurality of field devices (102a-n). Remote programmability, email messaging and alarms are supported.

Abstract: A field-mounted process device with multiple isolated connections includes a connection that can be an input or an output. The given input or output can couple to multiple sensors or actuators, respectively. The process device can be wholly powered through its communication I/O port. The process device includes a controller adapted to measure one or more characteristics of sensors coupled to an input connection and to control actuators coupled to an output connection. The controller can be further adapted to execute a user generated control algorithm relating process input information with process output commands.

Abstract: A field device for use in an industrial process control or monitoring system includes terminals configured to connect to a two-wire process control loop. The loop carries data and provides power to the field device. RF circuitry in the field device is provided for radio frequency communication. A power supply powers the RF circuitry using power received from the two-wire process control loop.

Abstract: A wireless power and communication unit for field devices is configured to connect to a field device and provide operating power and wired digital communication between the unit and the field device. RF circuitry in the unit is configured for radio frequency communication. In one embodiment, power supply circuitry in the unit includes one or more solar power cells that convert solar energy into electricity to power both the unit and the field device. The unit interacts with the field device in accordance with a standard industry communication protocol. The unit communicates wirelessly with an external device, such as a control room, based upon the interaction with the field device.

Abstract: A wireless field device is disclosed. The field device includes a wireless communications module and an energy conversion module. The wireless communications module is configured to wirelessly communicate process-related information with another device. The energy conversion module is coupled to the wireless communications module. The energy conversion module is configured to couple to a thermal source, and to generate electricity from thermal potential energy in the thermal source.