Convertible I/O signal processor for a process control network

A system for attaching field devices to a process control network using electrical connections between the field devices and the process control system wherein the system enables selective changing of the configuration of the electrical connections, the system comprising:

• a plurality of interface modules and a signal processing module;
• each interface module of the plurality of interface modules comprising a first base, on the first base a plurality of two or more sets of first electrical connectors, a second electrical connector, and a set of first I/O channel portions, each first I/O channel portion including and electrically connected to a respective set of first electrical connectors and the second electrical connector;
• the signal processing module comprising a second base, on the second base a signal processor, a third electrical connector, and a set of second I/O channel portions associated with the signal processor, the set of second I/O channel portions electrically connecting the signal processor and the third electrical connector, the signal processor comprising a respective conversion circuit in each second I/O channel portion that converts between I/O signals and a digital data format used by the process control network;
• the signal processor further comprising a communications circuit being connected to the respective conversion circuits, the communications circuit being configured and disposed to transmit from the signal processing module digital data received from each respective conversion circuit and to receive into the signal processing module digital data to be converted into I/O signals by the respective conversion circuits;
• the second electrical connector of each interface module of the plurality of interface modules and the third electrical connectors being removably attachable to one another, the second and third electrical connectors when attached to one another electrically connecting each first I/O channel portion of the set of first I/O channel portions of the interface module with a respective second I/O channel portion of the second I/O channel portions and thereby connecting the one or more sets of first electrical connectors terminals with the communication circuit;
• each interface module of the plurality of interface module being selectively attachable and detachable from the signal processing module to enable converting the I/O signal processor between different operating configurations;
• and
• the set of first I/O channel portions of each interface module of the plurality of interface modules being configured differently than each set of first I/O channel portions of the other interface modules of the plurality of interface modules.

A convertible I/O signal processor for communications between field devices of a process control network and a control system of the process control network, the I/O signal processor comprising:

• an interface module and a signal processing module;
• the interface module comprising a first base, on the first base one or more sets of first electrical connectors, a second electrical connector, and a set of first I/O channel portions, each first I/O channel portion including and electrically connected to a respective set of first electrical connectors and the second electrical connector;
• the signal processing module comprising a second base, a signal processor, a third electrical connector on the base, and a set of second I/O channel portions associated with the signal processor, the set of second I/O channel portions electrically connecting the signal processor and the third electrical connector, the signal processor comprising a respective conversion circuit in each second I/O channel portion that converts between I/O signals and a digital data format used by the process control network;
• each first I/O channel portion of the set of first I/O channel portions comprising a respective fourth electrical connector being configured to removably attach an I/O module, the I/O module including a module I/O channel portion, the first I/O channel portion and the module I/O channel portion electrically connecting the set of first electrical connectors with the second electrical connector when the I/O module is attached to the fourth connector;
• the second and third electrical connectors being removably attachable to one another, the second and third electrical connectors when attached to one another electrically connecting each first I/O channel portion of the set of first I/O channel portions with a respective second I/O channel portion of the second I/O channel portions;
• and
• the interface module being selectively attachable and detachable from the signal processing module to enable converting the I/O signal processor between different operating configurations.

A convertible I/O signal processor for communications between field devices of a process control network and a control system of the process control network, the I/O signal processor comprising:

• an interface module and a signal processing module;
• the interface module comprising a first base, on the first base one or more sets of first electrical connectors, a second electrical connector, and a set of first I/O channel portions, each first I/O channel portion including and electrically connected to a respective set of first electrical connectors and the second electrical connector;
• the signal processing module comprising a second base, on the second base a signal processor, a third electrical connector on the base, and a set of second I/O channel portions associated with the signal processor, the set of second I/O channel portions electrically connecting the signal processor and the third electrical connector, the signal processor comprising a respective conversion circuit in each second I/O channel portion that converts between I/O signals and a digital data format used by the process control network;
• the second base comprising an upper printed circuit board electrically connected with a lower printed circuit board, the third electrical connector on the upper printed circuit board, the signal processor disposed on the lower printed circuit board;
• the second and third electrical connectors being removably attachable to one another, the second and third electrical connectors when attached to one another electrically connecting each first I/O channel portion of the set of first I/O channel portions with a respective second I/O channel portion of the second I/O channel portions;
• and
• the interface module being selectively attachable and detachable from the signal processing module to enable converting the I/O signal processor between different operating configurations.

A system for attaching field devices to a process control network using electrical connections between the field devices and the process control system wherein the system enables selective changing of the configuration of the electrical connections, the system comprising:

• a plurality of interface modules and a signal processing module;
• each interface module of the plurality of interface modules comprising a first base, on the first base one or more sets of first electrical connectors, a second electrical connector, and a set of first I/O channel portions, each first I/O channel portion including and electrically connected to a respective set of first electrical connectors and the second electrical connector;
• the signal processing module comprising a second base, on the second base a signal processor, a third electrical connector, and a set of second I/O channel portions associated with the signal processor, the set of second I/O channel portions electrically connecting the signal processor and the third electrical connector, the signal processor comprising a respective conversion circuit in each second I/O channel portion that converts between I/O signals and a digital data format used by the process control network;
• the second electrical connector of each interface module of the plurality of interface modules and the third electrical connectors being removably attachable to one another, the second and third electrical connectors when attached to one another electrically connecting each first I/O channel portion of the set of first I/O channel portions of the interface module with a respective second I/O channel portion of the second I/O channel portions;
• each interface module of the plurality of interface module being selectively attachable and detachable from the signal processing module to enable converting the I/O signal processor between different operating configurations;
• the set of first I/O channel portions of each interface module of the plurality of interface modules being configured differently than each set of first I/O channel portions of the other interface modules of the plurality of interface modules;
• the number of first I/O channel portions making up the set of first I/O channel portions of each interface module of the plurality of interface modules differing from the number of first I/O channel portions making up each set of first I/O channel portions of the other interface modules of the plurality of interface modules;
• and
• the plurality of interface modules comprising a first interface module and a second interface module, each first I/O channel portion of the first interface module including a fourth electrical connector being configured to removably insert an I/O module in the first I/O channel portion, each first I/O channel portion of the second interface module not including an additional electrical connector.