Wireless Field Tool Communication Architecture for Hazardous Area Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional process control systems face challenges in secure, reliable communication between portable field maintenance tools and process control instruments, particularly in hazardous areas, due to the need for multiple tools and the inability of existing devices to comply with Intrinsic Safety standards, leading to complexity and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A communication architecture that enables secure, reliable communication between external clouds, personal computers, and industrial computing devices, including field communicators and calibrators, using a process control messaging system that supports large data file transfer, real-time messaging, authentication, and authorization, while operating independently of specific protocols and device types, allowing indirect communication with process instrumentation without exposing electrical connections to hazardous materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If portable field maintenance tools directly connect to process control instruments in hazardous areas, then communication functionality is achieved, but safety compliance with Intrinsic Safety standards fails
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless communication system acts as an intermediary between portable field maintenance tools and process control instruments. The system includes a wireless transceiver in the portable tool that communicates wirelessly with a gateway device connected to the process control system, eliminating the need for direct electrical connections in hazardous areas while maintaining communication functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct electrical/mechanical connections with wireless communication technology. Instead of physically connecting the portable field maintenance tool to the process control instrument through electrical cables, the system uses wireless signals (radio frequency communication) to transmit data, thereby eliminating electrical connection risks in hazardous environments
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tools are used for field maintenance operations, then functional requirements are met, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable field maintenance tool is designed as a universal multi-functional device that can communicate with multiple types of process control instruments (transmitters, valves, analyzers, etc.) through a single interface. The wireless transceiver and gateway system provide a standardized communication protocol that works across different device types, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into modular components: a portable field maintenance tool with wireless transceiver, a gateway device, and a process control system interface. This segmentation allows the system to handle different communication protocols and device types through standardized interfaces, reducing the need for multiple complete tool sets
Data Source
AI summary
A platform-to-platform communication architecture for a process control messaging service in a process control system or other industrial setting allows stationary and portable industrial computing units to communicate with each other, in one-to-one and one-to-many communications, and across networks, including isolated networks inside the process control system or industrial setting and external networks. A requesting industrial computing device platform generates a message for a destination, or responding, industrial computing device in the communication protocol of the destination platform, and wraps the message in a communication protocol of the process control messaging service. The communication architecture decodes the wrapped message into the communication protocol of the destination industrial computing device and forwards the decoded wrapped message to the destination. The communication architecture allows for a variety of communication services, including, but not limited to, instant/real-time peer-to-peer messaging, time synchronization, automatic data transfer with an asset management system, communication with field devices via an asset management system and large data transfers.