Sensor Coordinator for HART and Non-HART Data Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing field devices struggle to manage sensor data from both HART-enabled and non-HART-enabled sensors using a single communication protocol, leading to increased complexity and cost in industrial settings.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a sensor coordinator device that includes interface circuitry to connect with field devices, programmable circuitry, and computer-readable instructions. This device obtains measurements from both HART-enabled and non-HART-enabled sensors using different communication protocols and wirelessly transmits these measurements to a controller using a second communication protocol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a field device uses a standardized protocol to communicate with actuators, then interoperability and data interpretation are improved, but the ability to integrate sensors using different protocols (HART and non-HART) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sensor coordinator device as an intermediary component between sensors and the field device. This coordinator handles protocol conversion and data aggregation, allowing HART and non-HART sensors to communicate through a standardized interface without increasing the complexity of the main field device. The coordinator acts as a mediator that translates between different communication protocols and the standardized protocol used by the field device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the field device for actuator control, the sensor coordinator for data aggregation and protocol conversion, and individual sensors. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific tasks and communication protocols, improving overall system adaptability while distributing complexity across multiple manageable units rather than concentrating it in a single device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication protocols are supported in a single field device, then sensor integration capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor coordinator serves as an intermediary that handles all protocol conversion operations. Instead of embedding multiple protocol handlers within the field device, the coordinator externalizes this functionality, allowing the field device to maintain a simple, standardized interface while the coordinator manages the complexity of supporting both HART and non-HART protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor coordinator is designed as a universal device that can interface with multiple types of sensors using different protocols. This multi-functional coordinator consolidates the protocol adaptation capabilities that would otherwise need to be distributed across multiple specialized devices or embedded in the field device itself.
3Reliability
If HART and non-HART sensor data are transmitted through separate communication channels, then data integrity is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor coordinator merges data from multiple communication channels (HART and non-HART) into a single standardized output stream. This consolidation maintains the integrity of individual data streams during transmission by handling them separately at the coordinator level, then combines them for unified transmission to the field device, reducing overall system complexity while preserving data integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordinator acts as an intermediary that receives data through separate communication channels, validates and processes each stream independently to ensure integrity, then transmits the consolidated data through a single standardized protocol, thereby maintaining data integrity while simplifying the communication architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes interface circuitry configured to connect with a field device, the field device including a first sensor, the field device powered by a power supply; computer readable instructions; and programmable circuitry powered by the power supply, the computer readable instructions to cause the programmable circuitry to: obtain a first measurement from the field device using a first communication protocol, the first measurement corresponding to the first sensor; obtain, without using the first communication protocol, a second measurement from a second sensor that is separate from the field device; and wirelessly transmit, using a second communication protocol, the first measurement and the second measurement to a controller.