Abstract: This disclosure provides an industrial wireless network infrastructure supporting multiple subnetworks (subnets). An apparatus, system and method is provided that includes an access point comprising one or more wireless radios configured to communicate with one or more wireless devices; and one or more processors configured to enforce quality of service (QoS) based on multiple applications associated with the one or more wireless devices; wherein the access point is configured to use multiple subnetwork identifiers to communicate with the one or more wireless devices.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an apparatus and method for integrating long-range wireless devices in industrial wireless networks. A wireless device manager is configured to function as a gateway for at least one industrial wireless network. The gateway is associated with at least one industrial wireless network protocol; and the wireless device manager comprises a first radio module configured to communicate directly with one or more devices over a distance of at least about two kilometers using a long-range wide area network protocol.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an apparatus and method for integrating long-range wireless devices in industrial wireless networks. A wireless device manager is configured to function as a gateway for at least one industrial wireless network. The gateway is associated with at least one industrial wireless network protocol; and the wireless device manager comprises a first radio module configured to communicate directly with one or more devices over a distance of at least about two kilometers using a long-range wide area network protocol.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an industrial wireless network infrastructure supporting multiple subnetworks (subnets). An apparatus, system and method is provided that includes an access point comprising one or more wireless radios configured to communicate with one or more wireless devices; and one or more processors configured to enforce quality of service (QoS) based on multiple applications associated with the one or more wireless devices; wherein the access point is configured to use multiple subnetwork identifiers to communicate with the one or more wireless devices.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a plurality of elements in a process control system that uses a process value from a field device. The method also includes identifying an aggregate control connection status of the field device by (i) determining whether one or more of the elements can use a manual value in place of the process value, (ii) determining whether one or more other elements in the plurality can use a user configured value, and (iii) evaluating a logic expression based on results of the determining in (i) and (ii). The method further includes determining whether the field device is available to be taken offline based on the aggregate control connection status. In addition, the method includes generating a notification based on the determination of whether the field device is available to be taken offline.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first request to execute a field device method associated with a process control field device. The method also includes initiating actual execution of the field device method with the field device and/or simulating execution of the field device method. The method further includes recording information associated with the actual or simulated execution of the field device method and recording user input associated with the field device method. In addition, the method includes receiving a second request to play back execution of the field device method, initiating subsequent execution of the field device method, and using the recorded information and the recorded user input during the subsequent execution of the field device method.

Abstract: A method of tamper attempt reporting includes receiving a write attempt to configuration data stored within a field device in an industrial plant configured to run a process involving a plurality of physical process parameters including a network server, a plurality of processing units, and a plurality of field devices. The plurality of field devices include (i) a sensor for measuring at least one of the plurality of physical process parameters or (ii) an instrument for performing control output actions for at least one of the plurality of processing units. The plurality of field devices are in communication with at least one remote host system or device. The write attempt is automatically detected. An alert of the write attempt is automatically sent to at least the remote host system or device.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a plurality of elements in a process control system that uses a process value from a field device. The method also includes identifying an aggregate control connection status of the field device by (i) determining whether one or more of the elements can use a manual value in place of the process value, (ii) determining whether one or more other elements in the plurality can use a user configured value, and (iii) evaluating a logic expression based on results of the determining in (i) and (ii). The method further includes determining whether the field device is available to be taken offline based on the aggregate control connection status. In addition, the method includes generating a notification based on the determination of whether the field device is available to be taken offline.

Abstract: A method of tamper attempt reporting includes receiving a write attempt to configuration data stored within a field device in an industrial plant configured to run a process involving a plurality of physical process parameters including a network server, a plurality of processing units, and a plurality of field devices. The plurality of field devices include (i) a sensor for measuring at least one of the plurality of physical process parameters or (ii) an instrument for performing control output actions for at least one of the plurality of processing units. The plurality of field devices are in communication with at least one remote host system or device. The write attempt is automatically detected. An alert of the write attempt is automatically sent to at least the remote host system or device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a request to access a field device and identifying a first device configuration associated with the field device. The first device configuration identifies (i) a subset of device parameters associated with the field device, (ii) a subset of device methods associated with the field device, and/or (iii) an interface arrangement of device parameters or methods associated with the field device. The method also includes retrieving a value for each device parameter identified by the first device configuration and generating a graphical user interface using the first device configuration and the retrieved values. The method could also include determining whether a user has requested use of the first device configuration. If not, the method can include identifying a second device configuration associated with the field device, retrieving the value for each device parameter identified by the second device configuration, and generating a second graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first request to execute a field device method associated with a process control field device. The method also includes initiating actual execution of the field device method with the field device and/or simulating execution of the field device method. The method further includes recording information associated with the actual or simulated execution of the field device method and recording user input associated with the field device method. In addition, the method includes receiving a second request to play back execution of the field device method, initiating subsequent execution of the field device method, and using the recorded information and the recorded user input during the subsequent execution of the field device method.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a request to access a field device and identifying a first device configuration associated with the field device. The first device configuration identifies (i) a subset of device parameters associated with the field device, (ii) a subset of device methods associated with the field device, and/or (iii) an interface arrangement of device parameters or methods associated with the field device. The method also includes retrieving a value for each device parameter identified by the first device configuration and generating a graphical user interface using the first device configuration and the retrieved values. The method could also include determining whether a user has requested use of the first device configuration. If not, the method can include identifying a second device configuration associated with the field device, retrieving the value for each device parameter identified by the second device configuration, and generating a second graphical user interface.

Abstract: A software application architecture based on object oriented concepts. According to an aspect, upgrading the application to support newer versions of a standard describing device description is simplified. According to another aspect, the application is designed to be tolerant to changes (additions or modifications) introduced by future/later versions not yet supported by the application. In an embodiment, the approaches are applied in the context of a parser designed to parse device descriptions of different versions.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first proposed value or attribute for a parameter associated with a field device. The field device is or will be used in a process control system. The method also includes determining whether the first proposed value or attribute is valid using a device description associated with the field device. The method further includes, if the first proposed value or attribute is not valid, receiving a second proposed value or attribute for the parameter associated with the field device and determining whether the second proposed value or attribute is valid. The determinations of whether the first and second proposed values or attributes are valid could occur when the field device is offline in the process control system. The method could further include receiving a configuration having multiple values or attributes for multiple parameters associated with the field device and validating at least some of those values or attributes.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first proposed value or attribute for a parameter associated with a field device. The field device is or will be used in a process control system. The method also includes determining whether the first proposed value or attribute is valid using a device description associated with the field device. The method further includes, if the first proposed value or attribute is not valid, receiving a second proposed value or attribute for the parameter associated with the field device and determining whether the second proposed value or attribute is valid. The determinations of whether the first and second proposed values or attributes are valid could occur when the field device is offline in the process control system. The method could further include receiving a configuration having multiple values or attributes for multiple parameters associated with the field device and validating at least some of those values or attributes.

Abstract: A software application architecture based on object oriented concepts. According to an aspect, upgrading the application to support newer versions of a standard describing device description is simplified. According to another aspect, the application is designed to be tolerant to changes (additions or modifications) introduced by future/later versions not yet supported by the application. In an embodiment, the approaches are applied in the context of a parser designed to parse device descriptions of different versions.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a device description is pre-processed to determine the values of various fields of objects needed while providing the user interface. The values are then stored in an intermediate file according to a pre-specified order such that the objects can be loaded quickly when needed (without substantial parsing of the content of the intermediate file).