Abstract: A system and method for operating measuring devices in a process plant includes providing at least one measuring device for detecting at least one measuring variable, the measuring device having comprises at least one memory means for storing actual configuration data; providing at least one controller unit having at least one additional memory means in which projected configuration data is stored; the controller unit does not have write access to the measuring device with respect to the actual configuration data; and wherein the at least one measuring device and the at least one controller unit are connected via at least one network; comparing the actual configuration data and the projected configuration data, and when the configuration data correspond, allowing a data communication.

Abstract: A security device to support secure communication via a field bus, has a connecting apparatus for the direct coupling of the security device to a network interface of a field bus subscriber, which is formed for connecting to a field bus and which is not formed for secure communication via the field bus. In the coupled state, there is a link between the security device and the field bus subscriber such that, if the link is disconnected or damaged, proper operation of the security device is reversibly or irreversibly blocked. Further, a transmitting and receiving apparatus is provided which is formed to securely transfer data coming from a directly coupled field bus participant, which is not formed for secure communication, via the field bus according to a predetermined security protocol, and which is further formed to receive data transferred via the field bus and intended for the field bus participant according to the predetermined security protocol and to deliver them to the field bus participant.

Abstract: An industrial field device replacement system includes: an input unit; and a processing unit. The input unit receives an identification of a specific device to be replaced, the specific device being in a network of a plurality of devices, and the input unit providing the identification of the specific device to the processing unit. Prior to replacement of the specific device, the processing unit determines one or more further devices of the plurality of devices that would be affected by replacement of the specific device, the determination including utilization of the identification of the specific device. Prior to replacement of the specific device, the processing unit changes a mode of operation of the one or more further devices from a normal mode into a safe mode such that the one or more further devices will not be affected when the specific device is not available.

Abstract: A method for locating a possible root cause of system discrepancy in a process control system uses a system model including software representations of process control endpoint devices interconnected via a communication network using a number of links, where each link is provided for communication in relation to a process control function between two endpoint devices and includes a set of communication network elements and a reference to a set of communication parameters of the process control function. In the method an indication that at least one communication parameter deviates from a communication requirement is obtained, a link where reference is made to the communication parameter identified, communication network elements contributing to the functioning of the link identified and at least one of the communication network elements indicated as a possible cause of the deviation.

Abstract: A security device to support secure communication via a field bus, has a connecting apparatus for the direct coupling of the security device to a network interface of a field bus subscriber, which is formed for connecting to a field bus and which is not formed for secure communication via the field bus. In the coupled state, there is a link between the security device and the field bus subscriber such that, if the link is disconnected or damaged, proper operation of the security device is reversibly or irreversibly blocked. Further, a transmitting and receiving apparatus is provided which is formed to securely transfer data coming from a directly coupled field bus participant, which is not formed for secure communication, via the field bus according to a predetermined security protocol, and which is further formed to receive data transferred via the field bus and intended for the field bus participant according to the predetermined security protocol and to deliver them to the field bus participant.

Abstract: In aspects, the present invention discloses a method for replacing a first field device with a second field device using a commissioning tool. The method comprising retrieving a device description file associated with the first field device, analyzing the device description file, generating a first object by mapping a parameters of the second field device to a parameter from the identified one or more parameters based on a first index and a second index, generating a configuration file associated with the second file device based on the device description file and the generated first object, and transmitting the configuration file to the second field device for commissioning operation of the second field device. The step of analyzing the device description file comprises identifying one or more parameters from the plurality of parameters for mapping based on a predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A method for locating a possible root cause of system discrepancy in a process control system uses a system model including software representations of process control endpoint devices interconnected via a communication network using a number of links, where each link is provided for communication in relation to a process control function between two endpoint devices and includes a set of communication network elements and a reference to a set of communication parameters of the process control function. In the method an indication that at least one communication parameter deviates from a communication requirement is obtained, a link where reference is made to the communication parameter identified, communication network elements contributing to the functioning of the link identified and at least one of the communication network elements indicated as a possible cause of the deviation.

Abstract: In aspects, the present invention discloses a method for replacing a first field device with a second field device using a commissioning tool. The method comprising retrieving a device description file associated with the first field device, analyzing the device description file, generating a first object by mapping a parameters of the second field device to a parameter from the identified one or more parameters based on a first index and a second index, generating a configuration file associated with the second file device based on the device description file and the generated first object, and transmitting the configuration file to the second field device for commissioning operation of the second field device. The step of analyzing the device description file comprises identifying one or more parameters from the plurality of parameters for mapping based on a predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for the loopback test of the proper operation of technical devices integrated in an industrial process automation system and operated by at least one electronic controller via wired or wireless connections for controlling the industrial process. The following test can be performed: a) configuring, in a device management unit having a graphical user interface, the loopback test by selecting technical devices to be included therein and specifying the test variant to be used, and b) performing, via the device management unit, the loopback test for each of the selected technical devices using the assigned test variant.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for configuring field devices in a process automation system wherein the field devices are connected to other automation components by means of a field bus. In order to minimize the load placed on the field bus, a copy of the current configuration of each field device is stored in a configuration tool, the appropriate set of configuration and parameter data is transmitted to each field device during initial start-up and modifications in relation to the previous copy of the configuration and parameter data are transmitted to the respective field device.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a system and method for integrating field devices in an automation system having a plurality of field devices connectable via at least one bus system. A respective field device is connected to the bus system of the automation system, and is automatically addressed by a superordinate controller using a predefined default address. The device addressed using the default address then registers in the system with its device address, and a fixed address which is provided from a multiplicity of unassigned addresses from an address memory is automatically allocated to the device registered in the system. An individually assigned identification (TAG) provided from the predetermined configuration of the automation system is allocated to the allocated fixed address, and, after the automatically allocated fixed address has been transmitted to the field device, the field device is changed to a suitable state for communication with the superordinate controller.

Abstract: System and method for maintenance support for electronically actuated and/or monitored appliances implemented within an electronically networked automation system, having a central monitoring unit processing present operating parameters for appliances for establishing the servicing state of the appliances using comparison operating parameters, where an external SSIS server logically combines the servicing request established by the monitoring unit with appliance-specific servicing performance information stored in a database and forwards these data to electronic mobile terminals of the servicing personnel in order to perform the servicing.

Abstract: A process control system is disclosed which can include a plurality of spatially distributed, internetworked network subscribers with secure communication between the network subscribers via a communication network. Communication integrity can be based on an interchange of certificates. In order to protect the communication integrity, the process control system can include a central certification point which is an integral part of the process control system and allocates and distributes certificates.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method and device for unifying differing designations of physically identical parameters of different field devices of the same type in an automation system. The field devices being parameterized from at least one central control unit via a communication network. A control unit, in each of the different field devices of the same type, identifies the physically identical parameters by semantic analysis of the differing designations, after which, in each case, an identical identification is attached to the differing designations.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a system and method for integrating field devices in an automation system having a plurality of field devices connectable via at least one bus system. A respective field device is connected to the bus system of the automation system, and is automatically addressed by a superordinate controller using a predefined default address. The device addressed using the default address then registers in the system with its device address, and a fixed address which is provided from a multiplicity of unassigned addresses from an address memory is automatically allocated to the device registered in the system. An individually assigned identification (TAG) provided from the predetermined configuration of the automation system is allocated to the allocated fixed address, and, after the automatically allocated fixed address has been transmitted to the field device, the field device is changed to a suitable state for communication with the superordinate controller.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for configuring field devices in a process automation system wherein the field devices are connected to other automation components by means of a field bus. In order to minimize the load placed on the field bus, a copy of the current configuration of each field device is stored in a configuration tool, the appropriate set of configuration and parameter data is transmitted to each field device during initial start-up and modifications in relation to the previous copy of the configuration and parameter data are transmitted to the respective field device.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for configuring field devices in a process automation system wherein the field devices are connected to other automation components by means of a field bus. In order to minimize the load placed on the field bus, a copy of the current configuration of each field device is stored in a configuration tool, the appropriate set of configuration and parameter data is transmitted to each field device during initial start-up and modifications in relation to the previous copy of the configuration and parameter data are transmitted to the respective field device.

Abstract: System and method for maintenance support for electronically actuated and/or monitored appliances implemented within an electronically networked automation system, having a central monitoring unit processing present operating parameters for appliances for establishing the servicing state of the appliances using comparison operating parameters, where an external SSIS server logically combines the servicing request established by the monitoring unit with appliance-specific servicing performance information stored in a database and forwards these data to electronic mobile terminals of the servicing personnel in order to perform the servicing.

Abstract: A device and a method for checking the current software installation in field devices in a distributed system, e.g., an automation system, which field devices communicate via a fieldbus with at least one control unit for system management, wherein the appliance library assistant means are implemented in the control unit and compare the current installation of a selectable field device with the latest available update versions, in order to initiate an update if a more recent update version is available.

Abstract: A method for replacement of a field device to be replaced by a new field device in a system which communicates via a digital fieldbus, e.g., an automation system; wherein previous parameters, information and/or values of the field device to be replaced are compared by an electronic control unit, which communicates via the fieldbus, with parameters, information and/or values of the new field device with respect to at least one data record, in order to modify them if necessary in accordance with the field device to be replaced.