Wireless Field Adapter Using Stored Energy for Two-Wire Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Two-wire field devices in automation systems face limitations in energy supply, making it difficult to retrofit them with wireless data transfer adapters due to their energy constraints.
Innovation Solution
A field device adapter with a radio module configured for low-power wide-area network standards, adapter electronics to limit and store energy, and a boost converter to charge a capacitor, allowing for wireless data transmission while managing energy usage to match the device's energy requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a wireless data transfer adapter is added to a two-wire field device, then data communication capability is improved, but energy consumption increases beyond available supply
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter dynamically adjusts its energy consumption by using a stored energy source (capacitor) to buffer energy from the two-wire line, enabling wireless transmission only when sufficient energy is available. The system transitions between active transmission mode and low-power standby mode based on energy availability, resolving the contradiction between maintaining communication capability and staying within energy constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching the radio module between different power states (active transmission vs. low-power standby) and adjusting transmission frequency based on energy availability. This parameter adaptation allows the adapter to maintain data communication functionality while dynamically controlling energy consumption to match the limited power supply from the two-wire line.
2Reliability
If the field device adapter continuously transmits data packets, then data communication reliability is improved, but energy consumption exceeds the maximum energy provided by the two-wire line
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter implements periodic transmission instead of continuous transmission, accumulating energy in a capacitor from the two-wire line and transmitting data packets only when sufficient energy is available. This periodic operation maintains data communication reliability over time while keeping the instantaneous power consumption within the limits of the two-wire power supply.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the radio module is configured to both transmit and receive data packets, then communication versatility is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential transmission function from the radio module, configuring it to transmit data packets while eliminating the power-consuming reception function. This selective extraction of the transmission capability maintains sufficient communication versatility for two-wire field devices while dramatically reducing energy consumption to levels compatible with two-wire power supply limits.
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
Enables the retrofitting of two-wire field devices with wireless data transfer capabilities without exceeding their energy limits, ensuring reliable operation and efficient data communication.
Implementation Method 1
the adapter electronics have a boost converter which is designed to convert a voltage applied at the field-device-internal interface to a higher voltage, especially at least twice as high in relation to the applied voltage
Implementation Method 2
the stored energy source comprises a capacitor, in particular an electrolytic capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a field device adapter for wireless data transfer for connection to a field-device-internal interface provided for a display, comprising: an interface for connection to the field-device-internal interface; a radio module configured to wirelessly transmit a data packet on a low-power wide-area network, wherein the radio module is further configured to only transmit the data packet and not to receive any data packets; adapter electronics configured to limit an energy provided via the field-device-internal interface to a predefined value and to charge a stored energy source with the limited energy. The adapter electronics are further configured to monitor a state of charge of the stored energy source and, based on the state of charge, to provide the radio module with an energy originating from the stored energy source for transmitting the data packet.