Abstract: A method includes receiving a message at a first wireless node. The first wireless node is associated with a first wired network, and the first wired network is associated with a first security layer. The method also includes transmitting the message over the first wired network when at least one destination of the message is located in the first security layer. The method further includes wirelessly transmitting the message for delivery to a second wireless node when at least one destination of the message is located in a second security layer. The second wireless node is associated with a second wired network, and the second wired network is associated with the second security layer. The first and second security layers may be associated with different security paradigms and/or different security domains. Also, the message could be associated with destinations in the first and second security layers.

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: An apparatus is provided for facilitating integration of a wireless field device (such as a wireless sensor or actuator) and a wired protocol that is used in a process control system. The apparatus supports a wireless field device protocol for communicating with the wireless field device. The apparatus also supports a wired field device protocol for communicating with other components of the process control system over a network. The apparatus could map a wireless application model associated with the wireless field device protocol to a wired application model associated with the wired field device protocol. The apparatus could actually support multiple mappings from the wireless application model to wired application models associated with multiple wired field device protocols. As particular examples, the wired field device protocol(s) could include the HART, Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus, and/or Modbus protocols. The network could represent an Ethernet network or a serial network.

Abstract: A process control system includes at least one controller and at least one wireless valve element capable of being controlled by the at least one controller. The process control system also includes a first transceiver configured to communicate with the at least one wireless valve element and a second transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with the first transceiver. The second transceiver is further configured to communicate with the at least one controller.

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 system for transferring a signal between a field device and a control system component includes a field linking unit and a system gateway. The field linking unit is electrically coupled to a field device, and a signal is transferred between the two using a first protocol. The system gateway is electrically connected to a control system component, and the signal is transferred between the two using a second protocol. The field linking unit and the system gateway communicate wirelessly. One of the field linking unit and the system gateway may encrypt the signal before sending, and the other may decrypt the signal upon receipt. The system may also include at least one intermediate node, and the field linking unit and the system gateway may communicate wirelessly via the intermediate node(s).

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing smoke or other emissions are provided. An image is analyzed and processed to identify characteristics associated with the emission, such as color, densities, dispersion rates, fuel mixture characteristics, and other suitable analysis factors. If the analysis indicates that abnormal conditions exist or that any user-defined alerts are warranted, a message is sent to an operator terminal. The system and method may continue to capture subsequent images and thus provide real-time data. The data may be stored in memory and collected over time. The data may be associated with a digital signature and used to create reports for company quality control boards, regulatory control agencies, and the public. The system and method thus provide a cost effective, reliable, and repeatable mechanism for real-time analysis of smoke stacks and other environmental changes.

Abstract: A diagnostic concentrator includes a first interface that is capable of receiving a signal sent from a field device to a process controller. The signal includes a primary process variable and additional information. The diagnostic concentrator also includes a controller that is capable of generating a message corresponding to the received additional information and a second interface that is capable of transmitting the generated message. The first interface may be a HART interface. The second interface may be a wireless interface or a network interface. The message may be transmitted to a diagnostic monitor or a process controller. The first interface may receive a plurality of signals sent from a plurality of field devices to the process controller. The controller may generate a plurality of messages corresponding to the plurality of additional information in the signals and transmit the messages via the second interface.

Abstract: Methods and devices for operating a wireless network including redundant communication. Methods involving redundantly connected nodes are discussed including addressing methods and/or methods of creating groups for such redundant communication. The use of primary and secondary redundant connections is discussed. The inclusion of a redundant network in association with a non-redundant network such as a Zigbee® protocol network is discussed. Also, devices for implementing such methods are described.

Abstract: A chemical treatment system that injects a dosage chemical solution into a process. A condition of the process is sensed by a sensor, communicated to a controller and used as a basis for varying in real time the dosage of the chemical solution. The sensor, the controller, a pump and the process are disposed in a closed control loop. The controller controls the operation of the pump (speed, duty cycle and the like) to vary the dosage based on the sensed condition, which is disclosed as a corrosion and/or scale of an element of the process, although other conditions can control the dosage as well.

Abstract: A chemical treatment system that injects one or more dosage chemical solutions into a process. Conditions of the process are sensed by sensors, communicated to a chemical treatment management system. The chemical treatment management system processes the process conditions and issues command signals to one or more chemical storage systems to provide a dosage of chemical to the process. The chemical storage systems each comprise a chemical storage tank, a level sensor for the tank, a controller and a pump. The controller uses the command signals for varying in real time the dosage of the chemical solution by varying the pump operation. The chemical treatment management system also uses additional data from the chemical storage systems, such as tank level, and from other sources to provide the command signals and alerts/alarms and other user information.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a message at a first wireless node. The first wireless node is associated with a first wired network, and the first wired network is associated with a first security layer. The method also includes transmitting the message over the first wired network when at least one destination of the message is located in the first security layer. The method further includes wirelessly transmitting the message for delivery to a second wireless node when at least one destination of the message is located in a second security layer. The second wireless node is associated with a second wired network, and the second wired network is associated with the second security layer. The first and second security layers may be associated with different security paradigms and/or different security domains. Also, the message could be associated with destinations in the first and second security layers.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing smoke or other emissions are provided. An image is analyzed and processed to identify characteristics associated with the emission, such as color, densities, dispersion rates, fuel mixture characteristics, and other suitable analysis factors. If the analysis indicates that abnormal conditions exist or that any user-defined alerts are warranted, a message is sent to an operator terminal. The system and method may continue to capture subsequent images and thus provide real-time data. The data may be stored in memory and collected over time. The data may be associated with a digital signature and used to create reports for company quality control boards, regulatory control agencies, and the public. The system and method thus provide a cost effective, reliable, and repeatable mechanism for real-time analysis of smoke stacks and other environmental changes.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing equipment performance and optimizing operational costs are provided. Data from a sensor associated with a piece of equipment is analyzed and processed to identify characteristics associated with the performance and operational costs of the equipment. If the analysis indicates that abnormal conditions exist or that any user-defined alerts are warranted, a message is sent to an operator terminal. The system and method may continue to monitor the equipment and thus provide real-time data. The data may be stored in memory and collected over time. The data may be associated with a digital signature and used to create performance and/or financial reports for financial institutions, company quality control boards, regulatory control agencies, and the public. The system and method thus provide a cost effective and reliable analysis of equipment performance and operation costs.

Abstract: A system for transferring a signal between a field device and a control system component includes a field linking unit and a system gateway. The field linking unit is electrically coupled to a field device, and a signal is transferred between the two using a first protocol. The system gateway is electrically connected to a control system component, and the signal is transferred between the two using a second protocol. The field linking unit and the system gateway communicate wirelessly. One of the field linking unit and the system gateway may encrypt the signal before sending, and the other may decrypt the signal upon receipt. The system may also include at least one intermediate node, and the field linking unit and the system gateway may communicate wirelessly via the intermediate node(s).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for facilitating integration of a wireless field device (such as a wireless sensor or actuator) and a wired protocol that is used in a process control system. The apparatus supports a wireless field device protocol for communicating with the wireless field device. The apparatus also supports a wired field device protocol for communicating with other components of the process control system over a network. The apparatus could map a wireless application model associated with the wireless field device protocol to a wired application model associated with the wired field device protocol. The apparatus could actually support multiple mappings from the wireless application model to wired application models associated with multiple wired field device protocols. As particular examples, the wired field device protocol(s) could include the HART, Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus, and/or Modbus protocols. The network could represent an Ethernet network or a serial network.

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.