Systems, methods, and apparatus for facilitating communications between an external controller and fieldbus devices
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsWilliam Robert Pettigrew, Justin Brandon Chong
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatus for facilitating communications between an external controller and Fieldbus devices are described. A primary linking device in communication with the controller and one or more Fieldbus devices may be configured to direct the communication of a timing message to the controller and determine whether a response to the timing message has been received from the controller. Based upon the determination, the primary linking device may direct a switching of communications control to a secondary linking device.
Claims20
A linking device for facilitating communications between an external controller and at least one Fieldbus device, the linking device comprising:
- at least one communications interface configured to communicate a timing message to the controller;
- and
- at least one processing component configured to:
- direct the communication of the timing message by the communications interface;
- determine whether a response to the timing message has been received from the controller;
- and
- direct, based upon the determination, switching of communications control to a second linking device that facilitates communications between the controller and the at least one Fieldbus device.
A method for facilitating communication between an external controller and at least one Fieldbus device, the method comprising:
- providing a primary linking device and a secondary linking device that are respectively configured to facilitate communications between the controller and the at least one Fieldbus device, wherein the communications are initially controlled by the primary linking device;
- outputting, by the primary linking device, a timing message for receipt by the controller;
- determining, by the primary linking device, whether a response to the timing message has been received from the controller;
- and
- directing, by the primary linking device based upon the determination, switching of communications control to the secondary linking device.
A system for establishing communication between an external controller and at least one Fieldbus device, the system comprising:
- a first linking device configured to facilitate communications between the controller and the at least one Fieldbus device;
- and
- a second linking device configured to facilitate redundant communications between the controller and the at least one Fieldbus device,
- wherein the first linking device is configured to output a timing message for communication to the controller, and
- wherein the first linking device is further configured to determine whether a response to the first timing message has been received from the controller and direct, based upon the determination, switching of communications control to the second linking device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.