Fieldbus Adapter for HART and 4-20 mA Protocol Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Field devices in industrial installations often communicate using 4-20 mA technology, limiting compatibility with modern fieldbus systems like Foundation Fieldbus and Profibus PA, which require complex and expensive development and registration, leading to limited availability of multi-standard field devices.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with a first interface for HART or 4-20 mA communications, a second interface for Foundation Fieldbus or Profibus PA, and an electronics unit for protocol conversion, powered by the fieldbus, enabling seamless communication between legacy and modern fieldbus systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If field devices use 4-20 mA technology for communication, then compatibility with legacy systems is maintained, but compatibility with modern fieldbus systems is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as an intermediary device between legacy 4-20 mA/HART field devices and modern Foundation Fieldbus/Profibus PA systems. It translates communication protocols and signals between the two standards, enabling legacy devices to communicate with modern control systems without requiring device redesign or replacement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If field devices are designed with multiple communication interfaces, then versatility is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication adaptation function is segmented into a separate adapter device rather than being integrated into the field device itself. This allows the field device to maintain its original simple design with a single communication interface, while the adapter provides the additional protocol conversion capabilities needed for multi-standard communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed as a universal interface device that can work with multiple field device types (4-20 mA and HART) and multiple fieldbus protocols (Foundation Fieldbus and Profibus PA). This multi-functionality is achieved in a single device rather than requiring each field device to be customized with multiple interfaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If legacy field devices are upgraded to support modern fieldbus protocols, then communication capability is improved, but development and registration costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter acts as a protocol translation intermediary that handles the complex protocol conversion between 4-20 mA/HART and Foundation Fieldbus/Profibus PA. This eliminates the need for field device manufacturers to perform complex development, registration, and certification processes for multiple fieldbus protocols, as the adapter handles all protocol complexity centrally.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter for an automation field device comprises a first communications interface designed for linking to a HART or 4-20 mA communications loop; a second communications interface designed for linking to a Foundation Fieldbus or Profibus PA Fieldbus based on Manchester Bus Powered transmission technology; an electronics unit with operating software that instructs the electronics unit to convert HART or 4-20 mA telegrams sent by the field device and incoming at the first communications interface into Foundation Fieldbus- or Profibus PA-compatible telegrams and to output same via the second communications interface, and/or to convert Foundation Fieldbus or Profibus PA telegrams incoming at the second communications interface into HART- or 4-20 mA-compatible telegrams and to output same via the first communications interface; and a power supply unit designed to tap electrical energy from the Foundation Fieldbus or Profibus Fieldbus via the second communications interface.