Abstract: A process control system is provided having a plurality of I/O devices in communication using a bus. A primary redundant I/O device and a secondary redundant I/O device are coupled to the bus, where the secondary redundant I/O device is programmed to detect a primary redundant I/O device fault. The secondary redundant I/O device, upon detecting the primary redundant I/O device fault, publishes a primary redundant I/O device fault message on the bus. The controller may deactivate the primary redundant I/O device and activate the secondary redundant I/O device responsive to the primary redundant I/O device fault message.

Abstract: An I/O device is provided for use in a process control system having a controller operating under a particular version of communication software. The I/O device has a storage device for storing a plurality of potential versions of I/O communication software. An I/O device processor determines the particular version of I/O communication software utilized by the controller and configures the I/O device to operate using a compatible version of I/O communication software stored in the storage device. Further, an I/O device is provided for use in a process control system including a plurality of I/O devices and a controller in communication using a bus. The I/O device has an interface for communicatively linking the I/O device with the bus, where a device processor, upon detection of a potential I/O device fault, severs the communication link provided by the interface with the bus. Additionally, a process control system is provided having a plurality of I/O devices in communication using a bus.

Abstract: A process control system is provided having a plurality of I/O devices in communication using a bus. A primary redundant I/O device and a secondary redundant I/O device are coupled to the bus, where the secondary redundant I/O device is programmed to detect a primary redundant I/O device fault. The secondary redundant I/O device, upon detecting the primary redundant I/O device fault, publishes a primary redundant I/O device fault message on the bus. The controller may deactivate the primary redundant I/O device and activate the secondary redundant I/O device responsive to the primary redundant I/O device fault message.

Abstract: A system and method configures a communication link in a process control system having a controller connected to an I/O device via a remote I/O communication link, which has a local and a remote I/O interface communicatively coupled via a remote I/O communication bus. The system and method specifies a remote connection between the controller and the I/O device, recognizes that the remote connection requires communications over the remote I/O communication link, and automatically generates communication objects to route communications between the controller and the I/O device via the remote I/O communication link.

Abstract: A system and method for interfacing a plurality of field devices which are communicatively coupled on a communication network via a standard communication protocol with a process control system uses a linking device to seamlessly integrate communications between the field devices and a controller within the process control system. The system and method uses the linking device to emulate the communication characteristics of the field devices to link information in field devices with information in a controller of the control system, thereby allowing control loops to include combinations of function blocks from both the field devices and the controller. The linking device uses a link active schedule to monitor substantially all communications on the communication network connecting the field devices and selectively processes and analyzes the monitored communications.

Abstract: A system and method for interfacing a plurality of field devices which are communicatively coupled on a communication network via a standard communication protocol with a process control system uses a linking device to seamlessly integrate communications between the field devices and a controller within the process control system. The system and method uses the linking device to emulate the communication characteristics of the field devices to link information in field devices with information in a controller of the control system, thereby allowing control loops to include combinations of function blocks from both the field devices and the controller. The linking device uses a link active schedule to monitor substantially all communications on the communication network connecting the field devices and selectively processes and analyzes the monitored communications.