Retrofit module for a field device

Abstract

Retrofit module (1) for insertion into a two-chamber housing of a field device of automation technology, comprising at least: - an Ethernet interface (2) for connecting the retrofit module to an Ethernet network, wherein the Ethernet interface is configured for connecting to an Ethernet network based on a 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T or 1000BASE-T physical layer; - an Advanced Physical Layer interface (3) for connecting the retrofit module to an APL interface of the field device (16); - a translation unit (4) configured to perform a modulation, in particular a physical modulation, of the data between the Ethernet interface (2) and the advanced physical layer interface (3); a voltage supply unit (5) configured to provide a supply voltage to the advanced physical layer interface (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a retrofit module for insertion into a two-chamber housing of a field device of automation technology and to a field device of automation technology comprising such a retrofit module.

[0002] In process automation technology, field devices are often used to record and / or influence process variables. Sensors such as level gauges, flow meters, pressure and temperature gauges, pH / redox potential meters, conductivity meters, etc., are used to record process variables, measuring the corresponding process variables: level, flow, pressure, temperature, pH value, or conductivity. Field devices are essentially all devices that are used close to the process and that provide or process-relevant information.

[0003] A large number of such field devices are manufactured and distributed by Endress + Hauser.

[0004] In industrial automation systems, a large number of field devices are typically networked via an industrial communications network and used to control and / or regulate a process. Due to increasing digitalization, Ethernet-based communication networks have become increasingly established in industrial environments. For example, the IEEE 802.3 standard provides a variety of possible implementations for an Ethernet connection. These include, in particular, the physical layer specifications 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, and 1000BASE-T. Ethernet switches are typically used to set up such Ethernet-based communication networks. In industrial environments, these switches are primarily unpowered, meaning they do not transmit any power to the connected field devices.

[0005] In addition, another physical layer specification was introduced: the Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (APL for short), which represents an OSI Layer 1 extension specifically addressing the requirements of automation technology.

[0006] APL is the brainchild of the IEEE 802.3cg project, which focuses on developing improvements to the existing IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard (IEEE 802.3) for Ethernet over twisted pair cabling (10BASE-T1L). The creation of APL has enabled high-speed communication over long distances using two-wire cables and safeguards for safe operation within potentially explosive atmospheres (Ex areas). As a result, field device manufacturers are increasingly designing or integrating field devices with an APL interface for transmitting measurement data and / or power.

[0007] The disadvantage of this is that such field devices with an APL interface cannot be connected to the existing Ethernet switches, in particular not to 10BASE-TX, 100BASE-TX and 1000BASE-TX Ethernet switches.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of remedying this situation.

[0009] The object is achieved according to the invention by the retrofit module according to patent claim 1 and the field device of automation technology according to patent claim 4.

[0010] The retrofit module according to the invention for insertion into a two-chamber housing of a field device in automation technology has at least the following: - an Ethernet interface for connecting the retrofit module to an Ethernet network, wherein the Ethernet interface is configured for connecting to an Ethernet network based on a 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T or 1000BASE-T physical layer; - an Advanced Physical Layer interface (also called APL interface for short) for connecting the retrofit module to an APL interface of the field device; - a translation unit configured to perform, in particular, physical modulation of the data between the Ethernet interface and the Advanced Physical Layer interface; - a power supply unit configured to provide a supply voltage to the Advanced Physical Layer interface.

[0011] According to the invention, a retrofit module for a field device in automation technology is proposed, which can be installed, for example, in a chamber of a dual-chamber housing of the field device and via which the field device, which has an Advanced Physical Layer interface for actually connecting the field device to an APL network, can be connected to an Ethernet network based on a 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, or 1000BASE-T physical layer. This makes it possible to connect or integrate existing field devices with an APL interface to an existing infrastructure, especially Ethernet switches, in the automation system.

[0012] An advantageous embodiment of the retrofit module according to the invention provides that the retrofit module has a supply voltage input with preferably two connection terminals for connecting an external power supply unit and the voltage supply unit is designed to provide the supply voltage at the Advanced Physical Layer interface by means of the external voltage applied to the supply voltage input.

[0013] A further advantageous embodiment of the retrofit module according to the invention provides that the Ethernet interface is designed as a Power-over-Ethernet interface (hereinafter also referred to as PoE interface) or as a Power-over-Data-Line interface (hereinafter also referred to as PoDL interface), to which an external power supply unit according to PoE technology or PoDL technology can be connected for power supply and the voltage supply unit is designed to provide the supply voltage at the Advanced Physical Layer interface by means of the voltage applied to the Power-over-Ethernet interface or Power-over-Data-Line interface.

[0014] PoDL is a standard called 802.3bu, adopted by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) in 2016. This standard enables devices to be powered over a single-pair Ethernet connection in parallel with data transmission.

[0015] The invention further relates to a field device in automation technology, comprising: - a field device housing with two separate housing chambers; - a sensor and / or actuator element for setting and / or detecting a process variable; - field device electronics configured to operate the sensor and / or actuator element, wherein the field device electronics is arranged at least partially in a first of the two housing chambers; - an Advanced Physical Layer interface, APL interface, for actually connecting the field device to an APL network; - a retrofit module according to one of the previously described embodiments, wherein the retrofit module is arranged in a second of the two housing chambers and the Advanced Physical Layer interface of the retrofit module is connected to the Advanced Physical Layer interface of the field device, so that data can be communicated with the Ethernet network, which is based on a 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T or 1000BASE-T physical layer, via the Advanced Physical Layer interface of the field device, which is actually intended for connection to the APL network.

[0016] An advantageous embodiment of the field device according to the invention for automation technology provides that the retrofit module is designed as a terminal block which has two connection terminals for connecting an external power supply and a connection option for the Ethernet interface.

[0017] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings. It shows: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a field device of automation technology with two mechanically separated housing chambers, wherein a retrofit module according to the invention is inserted into one of the two housing chambers, and Fig. 2: a schematic representation of a retrofit module according to the invention, which can be inserted into a two-chamber housing of a field device in automation technology.

[0018] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an automation field device 10 with a field device housing 11 comprising two mechanically separated housing chambers 12, 13. A retrofit module 1 according to the invention, which can be designed, for example, as a terminal block, is installed in one of the two housing chambers 13, and field device electronics 14 is installed in the other housing chamber 12.

[0019] The field device 10 further comprises a sensor and / or actuator element 15 arranged on the housing 11 for setting and / or detecting a process variable. The field device electronics 14 are configured to operate the sensor and / or actuator element. Furthermore, the field device 10, in particular the field device electronics 14, comprises an Advanced Physical Layer (APL) interface 16, via which the field device electronics 14 of the field device communicates data, in particular measured values ​​and / or manipulated variables, with another APL device, in particular a field switch. In this respect, the field device 10 is actually designed to be connected to an APL network, for example, via the field switch.

[0020] Fig. 2 now shows a schematic representation of a retrofit module 1 according to the invention, as it is, for example, inserted into a housing chamber 13 of the Fig.1 shown in detail. The retrofit module 1 enables the field device 10, originally intended for connection to an APL network, to be connected to an Ethernet network based on a 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, or 1000BASE-T physical layer.

[0021] The retrofit module 1 therefore has an Ethernet interface 2 for connecting to an external Ethernet network. The Ethernet interface 2 for connecting to an Ethernet network is designed such that the retrofit module 1 can be connected to an Ethernet network based on a 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, or 1000BASE-T physical layer. For this purpose, the Ethernet interface 2 can have a connection socket 2.1 for connecting a twisted-pair cable with four or more, preferably eight, wires.

[0022] Furthermore, the retrofit module 1 has an Advanced Physical Layer interface 3 (APL interface) for connecting the retrofit module to an APL interface of an automation field device. For this purpose, the Advanced Physical Layer interface 3 can have a connector socket 3.1 for connecting a twisted-pair cable with two wires.

[0023] Furthermore, the retrofit module 1 comprises a translation unit 4, which is configured to carry out a modulation of the data between the Ethernet interface 2 and the Advanced Physical Layer interface 3, so that the field device 10, which is actually intended for connection to an APL network via the Advanced Physical Layer interface 16, can communicate data with the external Ethernet network.

[0024] In addition, the retrofit module 1 has a power supply unit 5, which is configured to provide a supply voltage to the Advanced Physical Layer interface 3 of the retrofit module 1. For this purpose, the retrofit module 1 can have a supply voltage input 5.1 for connecting an external power supply. The supply voltage input 5.1 can have two connection terminals (positive and negative connection terminals) for connecting the external power supply. Alternatively, in the case that the Ethernet interface is designed as a Power-over-Ethernet interface or as a Power-over-Data-Line interface, the power supply unit 5 can be configured to provide the supply voltage to the Advanced Physical Layer interface 3 using the voltage applied to the Power-over-Ethernet interface or Power-over-Data-Line interface. List of reference symbols 1 retrofit module 2 Ethernet interface 2.1 Ethernet interface connector 3 Advanced Physical Layer interface of the retrofit module 3.1 Advanced Physical Layer interface connector 4 Translation unit 5 Power supply unit 5.1 Supply voltage input with two terminals 10 Field device in automation technology 11 housings 12 First housing chamber 13 Second housing chamber 14 Field device electronics 15 Sensor and / or actuator element 16 Advanced Physical Layer interface of the field device

Claims

[1] Retrofit module (1) for insertion into a two-chamber housing of a field device of automation technology, comprising at least: - an Ethernet interface (2) for connecting the retrofit module to an Ethernet network, wherein the Ethernet interface is configured for connecting to an Ethernet network based on a 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T or 1000BASE-T physical layer; - an Advanced Physical Layer interface (3) for connecting the retrofit module to an APL interface of the field device (16); - a translation unit (4) which is designed to carry out a modulation, in particular a physical modulation, of the data between the Ethernet interface (2) and the Advanced Physical Layer interface (3); - a voltage supply unit (5) which is configured to provide a supply voltage to the Advanced Physical Layer interface (3). [2] Retrofit module according to claim 1, wherein the retrofit module (1) has a supply voltage input (5.1) with preferably two connection terminals for connecting an external power supply and the voltage supply unit (5) is designed to provide the supply voltage to the Advanced Physical Layer interface (3) by means of the external voltage applied to the supply voltage input (5.1). [3] Retrofit module according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the Ethernet interface (2) is designed as a Power-over-Ethernet interface or as a Power-over-Data-Line interface, to which an external power supply unit according to the PoE technology or the PoDL technology can be connected for power supply and the voltage supply unit (5) is designed to provide the supply voltage at the Advanced Physical Layer interface by means of the voltage applied to the Power-over-Ethernet interface or Power-over-Data-Line interface. [4] Field device of automation technology (10), comprising: - a field device housing (11) with two housing chambers (12, 13) formed separately from one another; - a sensor and / or actuator element (15) for setting and / or detecting a process variable; - field device electronics (14) which are configured to operate the sensor and / or actuator element (15), wherein the field device electronics (14) are arranged at least partially in a first of the two housing chambers (12); - an Advanced Physical Layer interface (16), APL interface, for the actual connection of the field device (10) to an APL network; - a retrofit module (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the retrofit module (1) is arranged in a second of the two housing chambers (13) and the Advanced Physical Layer interface of the retrofit module (3) is connected to the Advanced Physical Layer interface of the field device (16), so that data can be communicated with the Ethernet network, which is based on a 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T or 1000BASE-T physical layer, via the Advanced Physical Layer interface of the field device (16), which is actually intended for connection to the APL network. [5] Field device of automation technology according to claim 4, wherein the retrofit module (1) is designed as a terminal block which has two connection terminals for connecting an external power supply and a connection option for the Ethernet interface.

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