Common Interface for Wireless Protocol Normalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional industrial wireless networks typically require extensive hardware modifications to support devices operating with alternative communication protocols, limiting the flexibility and compatibility of wireless devices within an industrial facility.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that provide a common interface for multiple wireless communication protocols by receiving and normalizing data from devices using different protocols, transmitting the data in a unified format, enabling seamless integration and operation of devices compliant with various standards such as ISA100 Wireless and WirelessHART.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wireless network supports only a single wireless communication protocol, then the system complexity is reduced and hardware modifications are minimized, but the adaptability and compatibility with diverse wireless devices are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protocol translation layer that acts as an intermediary between wireless field devices using different protocols and the control system. This translation layer receives data from devices using various protocols (e.g., ISA100.11a, WirelessHART), translates them into a unified internal format, and forwards them to the control system, thereby enabling multi-protocol support without requiring hardware modifications to the control system itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal wireless interface that can handle multiple wireless communication protocols through a single hardware platform. The interface is designed to be protocol-agnostic, supporting diverse wireless standards (ISA100.11a, WirelessHART, and others) through software configuration rather than requiring dedicated hardware for each protocol, thus achieving multi-functionality without increasing hardware complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extensive hardware modifications are made to support alternative communication protocols, then the adaptability to different protocols is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protocol translation layer that acts as an intermediary between wireless field devices using different protocols and the control system. This translation layer receives data from devices using various protocols (e.g., ISA100.11a, WirelessHART), translates them into a unified internal format, and forwards them to the control system, thereby enabling multi-protocol support without requiring hardware modifications to the control system itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual representations of protocol-specific data structures and maps them to a unified internal format. Instead of modifying hardware to handle multiple protocols, the system creates software-based copies and translations of protocol data, allowing the same hardware to efficiently support multiple protocols through virtualization and data mapping techniques.
3Adaptability or versatility
If new wireless devices are added to an industrial facility, then the functionality and capabilities of the system are enhanced, but the ease of operation is reduced due to protocol compatibility requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal wireless interface that can handle multiple wireless communication protocols through a single hardware platform. The interface is designed to be protocol-agnostic, supporting diverse wireless standards (ISA100.11a, WirelessHART, and others) through software configuration rather than requiring dedicated hardware for each protocol, thus achieving multi-functionality without increasing hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protocol translation layer that acts as an intermediary between wireless field devices using different protocols and the control system. This translation layer receives data from devices using various protocols (e.g., ISA100.11a, WirelessHART), translates them into a unified internal format, and forwards them to the control system, thereby enabling multi-protocol support without requiring hardware modifications to the control system itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving data from multiple wireless field devices using multiple wireless communication protocols. The method also includes normalizing the data from the wireless field devices using one or more templates associated with the wireless field devices. The method further includes transmitting the normalized data in a unified format. The method could also include generating the one or more templates using device description (DD) files associated with the wireless field devices. Each template may provide, for one wireless field device or type of wireless field device, (i) an indication of a type of data provided by the wireless field device or type of wireless field device, (ii) a range of data provided by the wireless field device or type of wireless field device, and (iii) how to normalize data from the wireless field device or type of wireless field device into the unified format.