Field Adapter for Wireless HART Data on Two-Wire Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing field devices in automation technology are limited to wire-bound data transfer, making it difficult to communicate data wirelessly, especially in scenarios requiring data transfer to cloud databases or between field devices and mobile control units.
Innovation Solution
A field device adapter that converts two-conductor signals, such as those based on the HART protocol, into radio signals and vice versa, allowing wireless data communication by incorporating an adapter electronics unit with a HART modem and radio module, enabling protocols like Bluetooth, 6LoWPAN, WirelessHART, and 6TiSCH for data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If field devices use wire-bound data transfer via two-wire lines, then reliable data communication is achieved, but wireless data transfer capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A field device adapter is introduced as an intermediary component between the existing field device and the wireless communication environment. The adapter contains a HART modem that interfaces with the field device's two-wire line and a radio module that provides wireless communication, thereby enabling wireless data transfer without modifying the original field device while maintaining backward compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The field device adapter is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a HART modem to communicate with the field device via two-wire line, serves as a radio module for wireless communication, and provides power management by extracting supply voltage from the two-wire line. This multi-functionality allows a single device to bridge wired and wireless communication domains
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing field devices are retrofitted for wireless communication, then wireless data transfer is enabled, but compatibility with existing two-wire infrastructure must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as a transparent intermediary that the field device does not need to be aware of. It connects to the field device's existing two-wire interface and handles all wireless communication protocols, ensuring that the field device continues to operate with its original wiring while gaining wireless capability through the adapter's radio module
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter extracts and converts the electrical parameters from the two-wire line (4-20 mA current signal) into appropriate voltage levels for the HART modem and radio module. By tapping the supply voltage from the two-wire line and converting it to suitable operating voltages, the adapter enables wireless communication while maintaining compatibility with the existing two-wire infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a field device adapter for wireless data transfer, comprising: an adapter housing having a first and a second end, the first end such that the field device adapter can be mechanically connected to a field device and the second end such that a two-wire cable can be connected to the field device adapter. The adapter housing also having an adapter chamber; a supply electronics unit arranged in the adapter chamber and designed to provide a supply voltage via a voltage tap; an adapter electronics unit; and an adapter connection cable at the first end for connecting the adapter electronics to a field device electronics. The adapter electronics are designed to communicate the two-conductor signals between the field device electronics and the two-conducting-wire cable and also to convert the two-conductor signals into radio signals or vice versa.