Apparatus and methods to communicatively couple field devices to controllers in a process control system

A system, comprising:

• a base to removably receive a module selectable from different types of modules that are to communicate with different types of field devices, the base comprising:
• a first physical interface to communicatively couple the module to at least one of the different types of field devices, and
• a second physical interface to communicatively couple the module to a controller, wherein insertion of the module into the base causes connectivity between the module and the first and second physical interfaces;
• a shared bus to carry communications between the controller, the base, and a plurality of second bases in communication with the shared bus;
• and
• a transceiver to be communicatively coupled to the base and the plurality of second bases via the shared bus, the transceiver to exchange the communications between the shared bus and the controller.

A system, comprising:

• a base to removably receive a module selectable from different types of modules that are to communicate with different types of field devices;
• first and second physical interfaces formed in the base, the first physical interface to communicatively couple the module to at least one of the different types of field devices, and the second physical interface to communicatively couple the module to a controller;
• a shared bus to be in communication with the base and a plurality of second bases, the shared bus to carry communications between the controller, the base, and the plurality of second bases;
• and
• a transceiver to be communicatively coupled to the base and the plurality of second bases via the shared bus, the transceiver to exchange the communications between the shared bus and the controller.