Two-Wire Ethernet Interface for Retrofitting Analog Field Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Old industrial plants with serial bus systems like Profibus DP require upgrades to modern Ethernet-based systems, which involves costly cable replacements and adjustments to field devices, limiting seamless integration and functionality.
Innovation Solution
An interface device with a two-wire bus-side interface for connecting to a two-core data bus, capable of processing two-wire Ethernet data packages and supporting analog signals, allowing for direct communication with field devices without new cables or adjustments, and enabling integration with asset management systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If modern Ethernet-based systems are implemented in old industrial plants, then data transmission capability is improved, but cable replacement cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interface device acts as an intermediary between the two-wire data bus and Ethernet networks. It contains a two-wire interface for connecting to existing two-wire data buses and an Ethernet interface for connecting to Ethernet networks, enabling protocol conversion and seamless communication without requiring changes to existing field devices or cable infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The interface device segments the conversion function into a separate standalone unit. Instead of converting all field devices simultaneously, the interface device handles protocol conversion at the network level, allowing incremental deployment and maintaining independence between the legacy two-wire system and the modern Ethernet infrastructure
2Speed
If cable replacement is performed to implement Ethernet, then data transmission capability is improved, but installation cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interface device serves as a mediator that enables Ethernet communication over existing two-wire infrastructure. By implementing protocol conversion within the interface device rather than requiring physical cable replacement, the solution maintains the existing cable installation while achieving modern data transmission capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The interface device is pre-configured with both two-wire and Ethernet interfaces along with the necessary protocol conversion functionality. This preliminary preparation allows for quick deployment by simply connecting the interface device to the existing two-wire data bus and the Ethernet network, eliminating the need for time-consuming cable replacement and field device modifications
3Adaptability or versatility
If field devices are adjusted to support Ethernet, then compatibility is improved, but adjustment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interface device acts as an intermediary that handles all protocol conversion requirements. Field devices continue to operate with their original two-wire interfaces without any modifications, while the interface device performs the necessary protocol translation to enable Ethernet communication, thereby eliminating adjustment costs and complexity for field devices
4Quantity of substance
If two-wire interface is used for Ethernet data packets, then cable usage is optimized, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface device serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of two-wire Ethernet protocol conversion internally. While the interface itself is complex, this complexity is contained within a single device rather than distributed across multiple field devices and cable infrastructure, simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing the quantity of cables required
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates, among other things, to an interface device (30) with a bus-side interface (31) for connection to a data bus (10) and at least one field-device-side interface (331, 332) for connection to a field device (41, 42).According to the invention, with respect to such an interface device (30), it is provided that the bus-side interface (31) is a two-wire interface for connection to a two-wire data bus (10) and is designed to receive and send two-wire Ethernet data packets (2EDP) via the two-wire data bus (10), which is at least one field-device-side interface (331, 332) or at least one of the field-device-side interfaces (331, 332) is an analog interface suitable for connecting a field device (41, 42) that supplies an analog measurement signal (AM) and/or processes an analog control signal (AS), and the interface device (30) has a communication unit (32) that is connected between the analog interface (331, 332) and the bus-side interface (31) and connects them signal-wise.