BLE Protocol Bridge for Low-Power Industrial Field Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial communication protocols like HART, PROFIBUS, and FOUNDATION Fieldbus are not compatible with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocols, limiting communication between low-power field devices and remote devices due to power budget constraints, which hinders efficient data transmission and interoperability.
Innovation Solution
A BLE bridge apparatus that converts data packets from industrial communication protocols to BLE format, removes unnecessary protocol information, and transmits payload data, optimizing power usage and enabling communication between low-power field devices and remote devices without additional hardware, facilitating peer-to-peer communications and reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If industrial communication protocols (HART, PROFIBUS, FOUNDATION Fieldbus) are used for field device communication, then communication reliability and protocol compatibility are improved, but power consumption increases and compatibility with low-power BLE devices is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protocol translation layer that acts as an intermediary between industrial communication protocols and BLE protocols. This translation layer converts data packets from industrial protocols (HART, PROFIBUS, FOUNDATION Fieldbus) into BLE-compatible format, enabling low-power BLE devices to communicate with industrial field devices without directly implementing power-intensive industrial protocols. The translation preserves communication reliability while allowing the BLE side to operate at low power.
2Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion is implemented to enable BLE communication with industrial devices, then interoperability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal protocol translation layer that can handle multiple industrial communication protocols (HART, PROFIBUS, FOUNDATION Fieldbus) through a single BLE interface. This multi-functional approach allows the same hardware platform to support various industrial protocols without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each protocol, thereby improving interoperability while controlling device complexity through software-based protocol adaptation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If external gateways are used to bridge industrial protocols and BLE, then communication compatibility is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protocol translation functionality directly into the field device or gateway device, combining industrial protocol handling and BLE communication capabilities into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate external gateways and reduces system complexity by consolidating multiple functions (industrial protocol processing, protocol translation, and BLE communication) into one device, thereby maintaining communication compatibility while simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example apparatus includes at least one memory, and at least one processor to execute instructions to at least convert a first data packet to a second data packet, the first data packet having a first format based on an industrial communication protocol, the second data packet having a second format based on a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication protocol, the second data packet including a first payload having a first size, remove first data from the second data packet, increase the first size of the first payload to a second size to generate a second payload, add second data to the second payload, and transmit the second data packet to a remote device via a BLE network, the second data packet including the second payload.