HART Field Instrument Power Switching for BLE Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial process control systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing power for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication in HART field instruments, particularly due to limited power availability and high costs associated with power accumulation circuitry, which hinders effective communication and diagnostics in difficult-to-access locations.
Innovation Solution
The system determines the HART mode of the field instrument and diverts the current supply allocated for HART communication to a BLE transceiver when not in use, enabling BLE communication without additional power accumulation circuitry, allowing for efficient power utilization and cost-effective data logging and configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If power accumulation circuitry is added to support BLE communication, then BLE communication capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The HART communication circuit is designed to serve dual purposes: functioning as a HART transceiver during HART communication mode and as a BLE transceiver during BLE communication mode. The same antenna, processor, and communication circuitry are reused for both communication protocols, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware for BLE and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication circuit operates in dynamic mode switching between HART and BLE protocols based on detected communication needs. The system can dynamically transition between these protocols, allowing the hardware to be adaptively used for different communication standards without requiring static dedicated circuits for each protocol.
2Reliability
If dedicated BLE transceiver hardware is added, then BLE communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The same communication circuit, antenna, and processor are used for both HART and BLE communications. This shared hardware approach maintains reliable BLE communication capability while avoiding the additional power consumption that would result from having a separate dedicated BLE transceiver that operates independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the HART and BLE communication functions into a single integrated communication subsystem. By combining these functions share the power supply, processing resources, and radio frequency circuitry, the system achieves reliable BLE communication without the overhead of duplicate hardware components.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining, by a field instrument in an industrial process and control system, a Highway Addressable Remote Transducer (HART) mode of the field instrument. The method also includes, upon a determination, by the field instrument, that the HART mode is a HART On Demand mode, listening for a HART data signal from a HART master device; when the HART data signal is detected, communicating with the HART master device according to a HART protocol; and when the HART data signal is not detected, diverting a current supply allocated for HART communication to a BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BLE) transceiver for use in BLE communication, and communicating according to a BLE protocol.