Field device using high speed communication

Abstract

A system is provided for communicating with devices in hazardous and safe areas within a facility. The system includes: at least one field device in the hazardous area of ​​the facility; one or more controllers located in the safe area of ​​the facility for managing the at least one field device; and a field barrier between the safe and hazardous areas for limiting the electrical energy supplied to at least one device to a threshold value at or below that in the hazardous area. The system also includes a bus system that uses wires to supply power to the at least one field device across the field barrier, and one or more fiber optic cables to enable communication between the at least one field device and the one or more controllers across the field barrier.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to communications in process control networks, such as those in industrial processing facilities, and more specifically, to process control networks that utilize fiber optic communication infrastructure for secure, reliable, and high-speed communication in hazardous environments. Background Technology

[0002] Some industrial facilities may employ process control and automation systems to automate large and complex industrial (or manufacturing) processes. Such systems utilize devices in a control room to perform control and input / output (I / O) functions on field devices. Control room devices can collect input / output information from the field, perform various control functions, and transmit outputs back to the field.

[0003] Industrial processes can be carried out in environments that may generate flammable hazardous gases. Protective technologies, such as intrinsic safety (IS) or other isolation methods, can be implemented in such facilities to limit the electrical and / or thermal energy available for ignition, in order to provide safe operation of electrical installations in hazardous environments. For example, intrinsically safe barriers can be used to limit energy and isolate critical input / output operations between the control room and the field. Intrinsically safe installations can also be devices and wiring that, under normal or abnormal conditions, do not release sufficient electrical or thermal energy to ignite a particular hazardous atmospheric mixture at the most readily ignitable concentration. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A system and method are provided for communicating with devices in hazardous and safe areas within a facility. The system includes: at least one field device in a hazardous area of ​​the facility; one or more controllers located in a safe area of ​​the facility for managing the at least one field device; and a field barrier between the safe and hazardous areas for limiting the electrical energy supplied to at least one device to a threshold value at or below that of the hazardous area. The system also includes a bus system that uses wires to supply electrical energy across the field barrier to the at least one field device, and one or more fiber optic cables that cross the field barrier to enable communication between the at least one field device and the one or more controllers. Communication between the at least one field device and the one or more controllers may be Ethernet communication.

[0005] In some embodiments, energy use in hazardous areas may be intrinsically safe (IS) or may meet the fieldbus intrinsically safe concept (FISCO). Energy thresholds may correspond to one or more operational constraints of the facility to prevent ignition of gases in hazardous areas of the facility.

[0006] In one embodiment, the field device may include a transmitter with a local light source and driving circuitry. The local light source can generate light for fiber optic communication and can operate using electrical energy at or below a power threshold. The driving circuitry can directly or indirectly control the local light source to generate an optical signal corresponding to data for transmission across one or more fiber optic cables.

[0007] In another embodiment, the system may include an external light source for generating light, which is delivered to field devices across a field barrier using a first optical fiber in one or more fiber optic communication cables. At least one field device may include an optical switch and driving circuitry. The optical switch may modulate and transmit light from the external light source for communication via a second optical fiber in one or more fiber optic communication cables. The driving circuitry may control the optical switch to modulate the light from the external light source for transmission.

[0008] One or more fiber optic communication cables may include: a first optical fiber for communication from at least one field device to one or more controllers; and a second optical fiber for communication from one or more controllers to at least one field device. The at least one field device may be a sensor, actuator, or valve. Attached Figure Description

[0009] A more detailed description of the present disclosure, which has been briefly summarized above, can be obtained by referring to various embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the drawings illustrate selected embodiments of the present disclosure, they should not be considered as limiting its scope, as the present disclosure may allow for other equally effective embodiments.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating an example process control network according to one embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 This illustrates an embodiment such as Figure 1 A block diagram illustrating an example of field devices in a process control network.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating an advanced system view of an example configuration in which field devices in a hazardous area can communicate fiber optically with a controller in a safe area across a field barrier.

[0013] Figure 4 This illustrates an embodiment in Figure 3 A block diagram illustrating an example half-duplex communication configuration used in a system for communication via optical fiber.

[0014] Figure 5 This illustrates a different embodiment. Figure 3Another example of using optical fiber for communication in a system is a block diagram of a full-duplex communication configuration.

[0015] Figure 6 This is an example process through which field devices in a hazardous area can communicate with controllers or other devices in a safe area via fiber optics across field barriers.

[0016] Figure 7 Examples of computer devices (or systems) according to embodiments of this disclosure are shown.

[0017] Where possible, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same elements in the drawings. However, elements disclosed in one embodiment may be advantageously used in other embodiments without specific description. Detailed Implementation

[0018] This disclosure relates to improvements in communications within a process control network that employs protective technologies such as field barriers to limit energy and isolate critical input / output operations between devices in a safe area (or zone) of the facility and devices in a hazardous area (or zone). A hazardous area can refer to an area containing flammable materials (e.g., gases, dust, or fibers) that may generate flammable mixtures (or gases). The process control network may include one or more controllers in a safe area, such as a control room, that can manage, control, or monitor field devices and other devices in the hazardous area across the field barrier. Instead of using an electrical bus infrastructure to provide power and communication, and to control energy levels, power can be decoupled from communication links in field devices by utilizing fiber optics for communication, for example, between controllers or other devices in the safe area and field devices in the hazardous area. Fiber optic communication infrastructure (e.g., fiber optic cables) can offer numerous advantages over metallic communication cables, such as higher transmission bandwidth, data rates and volumes, lower power loss over long distances, higher security, immunity to electromagnetic interference or other noise, smaller space requirements, dielectric properties (e.g., no spark hazard), corrosion resistance, lower cost, and greater durability. In this way, process control networks can maintain intrinsically safe (IS) power standards without exceeding energy limits or sacrificing protection, while improving communication performance and reliability, and enabling the use of the same wired distances as existing field device technologies. This approach also provides additional communication bandwidth to support the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and allows for faster control loops using digital communication.

[0019] Furthermore, external light sources used for fiber optic communication can be used to minimize power loss in field devices to further ensure that intrinsic safety thresholds are not exceeded. For example, multiple light sources for fiber optic communication can be generated in a secure area and transmitted to field devices for fiber optic communication. In this way, by using remote light sources for fiber optic communication, the power required to drive locally sourced light sources (e.g., LEDs or other light sources) is reduced by using optical switches (or gates) to perform digital communication. By using multiple remote light sources from a secure area, the heat generated by the light used at the field devices is also reduced, thus similarly improving intrinsic safety.

[0020] Therefore, the use of fiber optics can significantly enhance communication in process control networks that implement safety measures such as IS (Intrinsically Safe), FISCO (Fieldbus Intrinsically Safe Concept), or other protection technologies. For example, a FISCO configuration can limit energy to 115 mA or less at 9V. Communication can also be enhanced via fiber optics in a similar manner, enabling the intrinsically safe implementation of other industry standards such as PROFINET (Portmanteau for Process FieldNet), OPC UA (Open Platform Unified Communication Architecture), MQTT (MQ Telemetry Transport), ODVA (Open Device Network Provider Association), or other standards. The example systems and methods of this application are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 An example of a process control network 100 in a facility is shown, the facility having devices in safe areas and devices in hazardous areas that interact with each other. For example, safe areas may include a control room, and hazardous areas may include processing devices or other devices. Process control network 100 may include a control system 110 having one or more controllers 112, multiple power supplies 114, and multiple light sources 116 located in the facility's multiple safe areas. Process control network 100 may also include one or more field devices (or instruments) 180 in the facility's multiple hazardous areas. Process control network 100 may also include user equipment 130 (e.g., a computer, smartphone, etc.) that can interact with control system 110 via multiple communication networks 120 to control, manage, or request / obtain information related to field devices 180 and processing devices in hazardous areas. For example, a user may use user equipment 130 to interact with control system 110 and its operation via the Internet (e.g., IIoT) through cloud-based services, or remotely control control system 110 and its operation.

[0022] For safety reasons, the process control network 100 may employ multiple field barriers 160 to isolate and limit energy, such as electrical and / or thermal energy, between devices in safe areas and devices in hazardous areas to comply with safety standards such as IS or FISCO. As shown in this example, field barriers 160 may isolate the control system 110 and its components in the safe areas from field devices 180 and other processing units in the hazardous areas. A bus system 170 is provided across the field barriers 160 to supply power from multiple power sources 114 of the control system 110 to the field devices 180 and to enable communication between the field devices 180 and the controller 112 of the control system 110. To enhance communication while maintaining safety standards in the facility (e.g., an industrial processing facility), the bus system 170 may employ wires (e.g., electrical wiring or conductors) to supply power to devices in the hazardous areas across the field barriers 160 and may employ multiple fiber optic cables for reliable high-speed digital communication between devices in safe areas and devices in hazardous areas and / or between devices in hazardous areas.

[0023] The controllers 112 may be computer systems or devices used to control, manage, and / or monitor other devices, such as computers, servers, industrial controllers, industrial servers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), distributed control systems (DCS), programmable automation controllers (PACs), or other computer systems. The controllers 112 may be configured to manage, control, monitor processing devices, and / or obtain information (or data) from processing devices, including field devices in hazardous areas and other devices and systems within the facility.

[0024] The field devices 180 may be sensors, valves, actuators, and / or other field devices (or instruments) such as those in an industrial processing facility. In various embodiments, the field devices 180 may transmit information (or data) back to the controllers 112 via a bus system 170, and the controllers 112 may use this information to control or adjust the operation of the processing unit in a hazardous area via instructions or commands transmitted through the bus system 170. For example, the controllers 112 may control the operation of actuators, valves, and / or other devices to control or adjust the operation of the processing unit.

[0025] Field barrier 160 may include input / output (I / O) module 150 to isolate or limit energy (e.g., electrical energy) available via bus system 170 to field devices 180 and other devices in hazardous areas(s) according to IS or FISCO standards. Devices in process control network 100, such as field devices 180 and other devices in hazardous areas, may also be configured to operate according to IS or FISCO standards.

[0026] Bus system 170 may include wires (e.g., electrical lines or conductors) for supplying power to field devices across field barrier 160, and multiple fiber optic cables for reliable high-speed digital communication between devices (such as controller 112) in safe areas and devices (such as field device 180) in hazardous areas. As used herein, fiber optic cable refers to one or more optical fibers or fiber optic lines. Multiple external light sources 116 may be provided in multiple safe areas to generate and transmit a stable stream of light to field device 180 for fiber optic communication, minimizing electrical and thermal energy at field device 180. Bus system 170 (and other devices associated with fiber optic communication) may include additional elements such as fiber optic and cable splices and connectors, regenerators, beam splitters, and optical amplifiers to improve the performance of the communication system in process control network 100. In various embodiments, wires may also be used as primary or secondary communication infrastructure for communication, relative to the fiber optic communication infrastructure provided by fiber optic cables. For example, wires or fiber optic cables may be used as backup communication when primary communication is unavailable.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing example components of field device 180, such as in Figure 1 An example from process control network 100. (See example 100.) Figure 2 As shown, field device 180 may include one or more processors 210 to control the operation and components of field device 180. Field device 180 may also include memory 220, multiple sensors or other devices 230, transmitters 240, receivers 250, and multiple buses 260 interconnecting the components of field device 180. Field device 180 may also include a power supply 270, which may be local or intrinsically safe across [locations / systems]. Figure 1 The bus system 170 uses wires (e.g., multiple electrical conductors or multiple lines) 170A to receive power.

[0028] The (multiple) sensors or (multiple) other devices 230 may take the form of one or more sensors (e.g., pressure sensors, voltage sensors, current sensors, temperature sensors, or other sensors for sensing the environment or processing equipment in hazardous areas), one or more actuators, one or more valves, and / or other forms of instruments in industrial processing facilities.

[0029] Transmitter 240 may be an optical signal transmitter for outputting optical signals to an optical fiber cable 170B over a bus system 170. In one embodiment, transmitter 240 may include a driver circuit 242 and a light source 244 (e.g., a local light source such as (a plurality of) LEDs). The driver circuit 242 may receive data in the form of an electrical signal or other signal to be transmitted. The light source 244 may be driven directly or indirectly by the driver circuit 242 to output modulated optical signals (e.g., digital data bits) corresponding to information (e.g., data, commands, or instructions) to the optical fiber cable 170B for communication across field barrier 160 with devices (such as controller 112) in other field devices 180 or in (a plurality of) secure areas. In another embodiment, transmitter 240 may include an optical switch 248 that receives a stable optical flow from (a plurality of) light sources in the secure area via the optical fiber cable 170B (as indicated by reference numeral 246). A stable optical flow can be modulated using an optical switch 248 driven by a drive circuit 242 to output a modulated optical signal (e.g., digital data bits) corresponding to information (e.g., sensor data, commands, or instructions) onto an optical fiber cable 170B to communicate across a field barrier 160 with devices (such as controller 112) in other field devices 180 or in multiple safe zones.

[0030] Receiver 250 may be an optical signal receiver, which may include a signal restorer 252 and a photodetector 254. Photodetector 254 can receive and detect optical signals from fiber optic cable 170B, which may originate from other field devices 180 or devices (such as controller 112) in the secure area(s). Signal restorer 252 can convert the optical signal corresponding to information into electrical or other signals that can be processed by processor 210 (or other components of field device 180). This information may include commands or instructions from controller 112, or information from other field devices 180 for use by field device 180 or transmitted together with controller 112 to another field device 180.

[0031] although Figure 2 Field device 180 in the diagram shows a transmitter and receiver for performing fiber optic communication, but field device 180 may also include a transmitter / receiver for communicating across electrical conductors (such as wires (e.g., conductors or electrical lines or wires) of bus system 170).

[0032] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating a high-level system view of an example configuration in which field devices 180 in a hazardous area can communicate fiber optically with controllers 112 or other devices in a safe area across field barriers 160. Figure 3As shown, field device 180 and controller 112 can communicate via Ethernet or other communication protocols over fiber optic cables. In this example, power is provided and regulated in a manner compliant with IS or FISCO standards. Figure 4 and Figure 5 It shows Figure 3 Different implementations of communication configurations. For example, such as Figure 4 As shown, optical fibers can be used in Figure 3 The system provides a half-duplex communication configuration for communication across field barriers. For example... Figure 5 As shown, fiber optic cables can be used in a system of 3 to provide a full-duplex communication configuration for communication across field barriers. The communication configuration meets Safety Integrity Level (SIL) certification for industrial plant applications. This configuration may include: providing a Black Channel starting with sensor TAG values ​​with Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC), sending two independent copies with CRC to the receiving node, providing a final control element responsible for ensuring the consistency of the two messages, and the feasibility of execution at a 10 Mbps rate.

[0033] Figure 6 Example process 600, through which field equipment in hazardous areas (e.g., Figure 1 The 180 in the middle can cross the field barrier and the controller in the safe area (e.g., Figure 1 Fiber optic communication can be achieved through devices such as 112 or other devices.

[0034] At reference numeral 602, fiber optic communication infrastructure is provided in a FISCO / IS or similar protected environment for implementing fiber optic communication to and / or from one or more field devices in a hazardous area across (multiple) fiber optic cables.

[0035] At reference numeral 604, a stable optical flow is generated locally at the field device or at a remote location (such as in a safe area) for use by field devices in hazardous areas. For example, the field device may use a local light source (e.g., multiple LEDs) to generate or output light, which is modulated to produce an optical signal corresponding to information (or data) for transmission across fiber optic cables. Alternatively, the field device may receive a stable optical flow generated by an external light source (e.g., multiple LEDs) in a safe area and modulate the received light (e.g., using an optical switch (or gate)) to produce an optical signal corresponding to information (or data) for transmission across fiber optic cables.

[0036] At reference numeral 606, the field device can communicate in simplex, half-duplex and / or full-duplex fiber optic mode across field barriers with controllers or other devices in safe zones or with another field device or other device in hazardous zones.

[0037] Although process 600 is described with reference to field equipment in hazardous areas, other devices in hazardous areas of the treatment facility can also be connected via fiber optic communication in a similar manner to comply with IS or FISCO standards.

[0038] Figure 7 This is a block diagram of example components of a computer device (or system) 800 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 7 As shown, computer device 700 may include, for example, memory 720, processor(s) 730, clock 740, output device 750, input device 760, communication device 770, and a bus system 780 between components of the computer device. Clock 740 can be used to timestamp data or events using time values, and to synchronize operations within the device and with remote devices. Communication device 770 may include transmitters and receivers for wireless or wired communication via wires (e.g., conductors) and / or fiber optic cables. For example, communication device 770 may include an optical signal transmitter / receiver for fiber optic communication.

[0039] Memory 720 may store computer-executable code, programs, software, or instructions that, when executed by a processor, control the operation of computer device 700, including the various processes described herein. Memory 720 may also store other data used by computer device 700 or its components to perform the operations described herein. This other data may include, but is not limited to, thresholds or conditions for reporting and alarms, the location and address of field devices, and other data described herein.

[0040] The output devices 750 may include display devices, printing devices, speakers, lights (e.g., LEDs), etc. For example, the output devices 750 may output information about the controlled process and information from or associated with one or more field devices to one or more viewers, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), or other data for display or presentation.

[0041] The (multiple) input devices 760 may include any user input device, such as a mouse, trackball, microphone, touchscreen, joystick, console, keyboard / pad, touchscreen, or other user-operable device.

[0042] The processor(s) 730 that interact with other components of the computer device are configured to control or perform various operations described herein. These operations may include controlling, managing, and / or monitoring process control devices (including field devices) as described herein, or other operations as described herein.

[0043] The above describes example components of a computer device. A computer device may or may not include these components. Figure 7 All components of the system. It may also include other additional components to facilitate the operation of the processes and features described herein. The computer device may be a distributed processing system comprising multiple computer devices operable to perform the various processes and features described herein.

[0044] In the foregoing, various embodiments have been referenced. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the specifically described embodiments. Rather, any combination of the described features and elements, whether or not associated with different embodiments, is contemplated for implementing and practicing the contemplated embodiments. Furthermore, while embodiments may achieve advantages over other possible solutions or prior art, whether a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment does not limit the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages of the foregoing are merely illustrative and should not be considered as elements or limitations of the appended claims unless expressly stated in the claims(s).

[0045] The various embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented as systems, methods, or computer program products. Therefore, aspects can take the form of entirely hardware embodiments, entirely software embodiments (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or embodiments combining software and hardware aspects (which are generally referred to herein as “circuit,” “module,” or “system”). Furthermore, aspects can take the form of computer program products contained in one or more computer-readable media having computer-readable program code contained thereon.

[0046] Any combination of one or more computer-readable media may be used. The computer-readable medium may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. A non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, but not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatuses, or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples (not an exhaustive list) of non-transitory computer-readable media may include: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or flash memory, optical fiber, portable optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof. Program code contained on a computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any suitable medium, including but not limited to wireless, wired, fiber optic cable, RF (radio frequency), etc., or any suitable combination thereof.

[0047] Computer program code used to perform the operations of various aspects of this disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. Furthermore, such computer program code can be executed using a single computer system or multiple computer systems communicating with each other (e.g., using a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet, etc.). While the various features described above are illustrated with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams, those skilled in the art will understand that each block of a flowchart and / or block diagram, and combinations of blocks in a flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer logic (e.g., computer program instructions, hardware logic, combinations of both, etc.). Typically, computer program instructions can be provided to processor(s) of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus. Furthermore, executing such computer program instructions using processor(s) produces a machine capable of performing the functions(s) or actions(s) specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0048] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and / or operation of various embodiments of this disclosure. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, code segment, or code portion comprising one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative embodiments, the functions mentioned in the blocks may occur in a different order than those shown in the figures. For example, two blocks shown consecutively may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or these blocks may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It will also be noted that each block in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, may be implemented by a system based on dedicated hardware or a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions that performs the specified function or action.

[0049] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will become apparent from reading and understanding the above description. Although specific examples have been described in this disclosure, it should be recognized that the systems and methods of this disclosure are not limited to the examples described herein but can be implemented with modifications within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the specification and drawings are to be considered illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, the scope of this disclosure should be determined by reference to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents.

Claims

1. A system for communicating with devices in a hazardous area and a safe area in a facility, comprising: a hazardous area and a safe area of the facility; a first field device and a second field device in the hazardous area of the facility; one or more controllers (112) located in the safe area of the facility for managing the first and second field devices; and a field barrier (160) located between the safe area and the hazardous area for limiting electrical energy provided to the first and second field devices to be at or below an electrical energy threshold in the hazardous area; wherein the system further comprises: a bus system (170) for providing electrical energy across the field barrier (160) to the first and second field devices using electrical wires (170A) and for enabling Ethernet communication between the first and second field devices and the one or more controllers using one or more fiber optic cables (170B), wherein each of the first and second field devices comprises: a transmitter (240) configured to output an optical signal onto one of the one or more fiber optic cables (170B) for transmission to the other of the first and second field devices or to one of the one or more controllers (112) across the field barrier (160); and a receiver (250) configured to receive an optical signal from one of the one or more fiber optic cables (170B), the optical signal originating from the other of the first and second field devices or from one of the one or more controllers (112) across the field barrier (160). Energy usage in the hazardous area is intrinsically safe or satisfies a fieldbus intrinsic safety concept.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein, the transmitter (240) comprises:

3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein, a local light source (244) for generating light for fiber optic communication, the local light source (244) operating using electrical energy at or below the electrical energy threshold; and a drive circuit (242) for controlling the local light source (244) to generate an optical signal corresponding to data for transmission across the one or more fiber optic cables (170B).

4. The system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an external light source (246) for generating light, the light provided to at least one of the first and second field devices across the field barrier (160) using a first fiber optic cable of the one or more fiber optic cables (170B), wherein at least one of the first and second field devices comprises: a light switch (248) for modulating and transmitting light from the external light source (246) for communication over a second fiber optic cable of the one or more fiber optic cables (170B); and a drive circuit (242) for controlling the light switch to modulate light from the external light source (246) for transmission. the one or more fiber optic cables (170B) comprise:

5. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein, ​ a first optical fiber for communication from at least one of the first and second field devices to the one or more controllers (112); and a second optical fiber for communication from the one or more controllers (112) to at least one of the first and second field devices.

6. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least one of the first field device and the second field device comprises a sensor, an actuator, or a valve.

7. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The electrical energy threshold corresponds to one or more operational constraints of the facility to prevent ignition of gases in a hazardous area of the facility.

8. A method for communicating with devices in a hazardous area and a safe area in a facility, comprising: providing a first field device and a second field device in a hazardous area of the facility; using one or more controllers (112) located in a safe area of the facility to manage the first and second field devices; and limiting electrical energy provided to the first and second field devices to be at or below an electrical energy threshold in the hazardous area using a field barrier (160) between the safe and hazardous areas; wherein the method further comprises: providing electrical energy to the first and second field devices across the field barrier using wires (170A) of a bus system (170); and implementing Ethernet communication between the first and second field devices and the one or more controllers (112) using one or more optical fiber cables (170B) of the bus system, including: implementing output of an optical signal using a transmitter (240) of one of the first and second field devices onto one of the one or more optical fiber cables (170B) to send to the other of the first and second field devices or to one of the one or more controllers (112) across the field barrier (160); implementing reception of an optical signal using a receiver (250) of one of the first and second field devices from one of the one or more optical fiber cables (170B), the optical signal originating from the other of the first and second field devices or from one of the one or more controllers (112) across the field barrier (160).

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, Energy usage in the hazardous area is intrinsically safe or satisfies a fieldbus intrinsic safety concept.

10. The method of claim 8 or 9, further comprising: communicating at at least one of the first and second field devices by: generating light for optical fiber communication using a local light source (244) that operates using electrical energy at or below the electrical energy threshold; and controlling the local light source (244) to generate an optical signal corresponding to data for transmission across the one or more optical fiber cables (170B).

11. The method of claim 8 or 9, further comprising: ​ generating light using an external light source (246), providing the light across the field barrier (160) to at least one of the first and second field devices using a first optical fiber of the one or more fiber optic cables (170B); and communicating at the at least one of the first and second field devices by modulating and transmitting light from the external light source to communicate over a second optical fiber of the one or more fiber optic cables (170B).

12. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein, The one or more fiber optic cables (170B) include: a first optical fiber for communication from the at least one of the first and second field devices to the one or more controllers (112); and a second optical fiber for communication from the one or more controllers (112) to the at least one of the first and second field devices.

13. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein, The at least one of the first and second field devices includes a sensor, an actuator, or a valve.

14. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein, The electrical energy threshold corresponds to one or more operational constraints of the facility to prevent ignition of gases in a hazardous area of the facility.

15. A tangible computer-readable medium storing computer executable code that, when executed by one or more processors, is configured to implement a method of communicating with devices in a hazardous area and a safe area of a facility, in which method electrical energy provided to first and second field devices is limited to be at or below an electrical energy threshold in the hazardous area using a field barrier (160) between the safe area and the hazardous area, the method comprising: managing the first and second field devices in the hazardous area of the facility from a safe area of the facility; wherein the method further comprises: controlling provision of electrical energy across the field barrier (160) to the first and second field devices using wires (170A) of a bus system (170); and controlling Ethernet communications between the first and second field devices and the one or more controllers (112) over one or more fiber optic cables (170B) of the bus system (170), including: controlling a transmitter (240) of one of the first and second field devices to output an optical signal onto one of the one or more fiber optic cables (170B) to send to the other of the first and second field devices or to one of the one or more controllers (112) across the field barrier (160); and controlling a receiver (250) of one of the first and second field devices to receive an optical signal from one of the one or more fiber optic cables (170B), the optical signal originating from the other of the first and second field devices or from one of the one or more controllers (112) across the field barrier (160).

16. The tangible computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein, Energy usage in the hazardous area is intrinsically safe or meets a fieldbus intrinsic safety concept.

17. The tangible computer readable medium of claim 15 or 16, wherein, The method further includes: communicating at the at least one of the first and second field devices by: controlling production of light for fiber optic communication using a local light source (244) that operates using electrical energy at or below the electrical energy threshold; and controlling the local light source (244) to produce an optical signal corresponding to data for transmission across the one or more fiber optic cables (170B).

18. The tangible computer readable medium of claim 15 or 16, wherein, The method further includes: controlling production of light using an external light source (246) that is provided to the at least one of the first and second field devices across the field barrier (160) using a first fiber optic cable of the one or more fiber optic cables (170B); and communicating at the at least one of the first and second field devices by modulating and transmitting light from the external light source (246) for communication through a second fiber optic cable of the one or more fiber optic cables (170B).

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