Removable I/O module with diagnostics for a field device I/O connector

A base for a field device I/O connector, the base being configured to removably mount an I/O module for processing or transmitting I/O signals received from or sent to a field device of a process control network, the I/O module of the type having a channel portion that conducts an I/O signal and a diagnostic circuit portion connected to the signal channel portion for generating diagnostic data using the signal channel portion, the base comprising:

• a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, a base I/O channel portion electrically connecting the first and second electrical connectors and a base diagnostic circuit portion electrically connected to the second electrical connector;
• the first electrical connector being connectable with field wires extending from the field device to carry I/O signals between the base and the field device;
• the second electrical connector being configured to removably attach the I/O module to the base and thereby electrically connect the module I/O channel portion with the base I/O channel portion and electrically connect the base diagnostic circuit portion with the I/O module diagnostic circuit portion when the I/O module is attached to the base, the base I/O channel portion and the I/O module channel portion when electrically connected with one another cooperatively forming an I/O channel, the I/O module diagnostic circuit portion and the base diagnostic circuit portion when electrically connected with one another cooperatively forming a diagnostic circuit portion;
• the base I/O channel portion further comprising a conversion circuit being configured to convert between I/O signals received from the I/O module and a digital data format used by the process control network and to convert from the digital data format used by the process control network to I/O signals transmitted to the I/O module;
• the base further comprising a digital data circuit and a network port, the digital data circuit connected to the conversion circuit and being configured to transfer digital data between the network port and the conversion circuit, the network port being configured to be attachable to the process control network and transmit data between the digital data circuit and the process control network when the network port is attached to the process control network;
• the diagnostic circuit portion formed when the I/O module is attached to the base being configured to transmit diagnostic data concerning the operating state or operational history of the I/O channel, I/O channel circuit components, or the field device attached to the I/O channel;
• and
• the base comprising a diagnostic logic circuit, the base diagnostic circuit portion extends to the diagnostic logic circuit, the diagnostic logic circuit being configured to extract diagnostic data from the diagnostic circuit portion and able to transmit the diagnostic data through the network port.