Two-Wire Field Device Power Staging for Radio Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Namur field devices in automation technology face challenges in providing sufficient power for additional functionalities like radio communication and software updates, as they are limited by the energy available through a two-wire cable, which is insufficient for energy-intensive processes.
Innovation Solution
The field device incorporates a connection terminal for a two-wire cable, internal interface for an electronic module, a capacitor for auxiliary energy, and a battery to provide additional power when the main power and auxiliary energy are insufficient, specifically designed to support radio modules during transmission and reception processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional functionalities like radio communication are implemented in the field device, then the device versatility is improved, but the energy consumption increases beyond what the two-wire cable can provide
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is pre-charged during periods when the radio module is not active, storing energy in advance. This preliminary energy accumulation allows the radio module to transmit data bursts without requiring continuous high power supply from the two-wire cable, thus enabling additional functionality while managing energy constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The radio module operates in periodic transmission bursts rather than continuously. The capacitor provides energy during these periodic transmission intervals, allowing the device to communicate data periodically while consuming average power within the limits of the two-wire cable supply.
2Productivity
If the capacitor is used to provide auxiliary energy for energy peaks, then the radio communication capability is improved, but the battery discharge time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is pre-charged during low-power periods to store energy for future high-power radio transmissions. This preliminary energy storage in the capacitor reduces the demand on the battery during transmission bursts, thereby extending the overall battery discharge time while maintaining radio communication capability.
3Device complexity
If the field device operates with impressed current from the two-wire cable, then the device complexity is reduced, but the available power is insufficient for additional functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the two-wire cable power supply with a capacitor and battery system to create a hybrid power architecture. The two-wire cable provides main operating power, while the capacitor and battery provide supplemental power for energy-intensive operations, merging multiple power sources to achieve both simplicity and sufficient power availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the two-wire cable power supply and the radio module. It buffers the power supply by storing energy during low-demand periods and releasing it during high-power transmission bursts, mediating between the limited cable power and the radio module's power requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows the field device to efficiently manage energy peaks, enabling radio communication and software updates without overloading the battery, ensuring reliable operation within the power constraints of a two-wire cable.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitance associated with the electronic module, which is designed such that the capacitance is charged via the internal interface and, in the event that the at least one component of the electronic module requires an energy requirement exceeding the main power, which provides at least one component with an additional first auxiliary energy
Implementation Method 2
a battery associated with the electronic module, which is designed such that, in the event that the at least one component of the electronic module requires an energy requirement exceeding the main power and the first auxiliary energy, the battery provides a second auxiliary energy to the at least one component
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a field device, comprising: a connection terminal (2); field device electronics (4); an internal interface (5) for connecting an electronic module (6); the electronic module (6) having at least one electronic component (7) for realizing an additional functionality; a capacitor (8), which is designed to provide an additional first auxiliary energy amount (Ehilf1) to the component (7) if the component (7) of the electronic module (6) has an energy demand exceeding the main power (Phaupt); a battery (9), which is designed to provide a second auxiliary energy amount (Ehilf2) to the at least one component if the at least one component (7) of the electronic module (6) has an energy demand exceeding the main power (Phaupt) and the first auxiliary energy amount (Ehilf1), wherein the battery (9) provides the second auxiliary energy amount (Ehilf2) to the component (7) only if the main power (Phaupt) and the first auxiliary energy amount (Ehilf1) are not sufficient for the energy supply of the component (7).