On-line device testing block integrated into a process control/safety system

A field device testing system for use in a process plant having a plurality of field devices connected to one or more controllers, the field device testing system comprising:

• a device test associated with one of the field devices adapted to execute the device test on the field device when the field device is operating on-line within the process plant;
• a testing unit communicatively connected to the one of the field devices via a first external communication network, the testing unit adapted to initiate the device test with respect to the field device and to obtain a result of the device test;
• and
• one or more additional process entities communicatively coupled to the testing unit via a second external communication network and adapted to send one or more signals to the testing unit to cause the testing unit to initiate the device test and to obtain the result of the device test.

A method of implementing a device test in a process plant, comprising:

• storing the device test for use in testing a field device within the process plant;
• storing a testing unit within a second device within the process plant that is communicatively coupled to the field device;
• communicatively coupling a further process entity within the process plant to the testing unit;
• and
• configuring the testing unit to initiate the device test while the process is operating, to automatically obtain a result of the device test and to automatically provide the result of the device test to the further process entity.

A testing entity for use in a process plant having a field device that communicates via a communication network using a device message having a status field that indicates a status associated with the field device, and having a processor communicatively coupled to the field device via the communication network, the testing entity comprising:

• a computer readable medium;
• and
• a field device monitoring program stored on the computer readable medium and adapted to be executed on the processor, the field device monitoring program including;
• a first communication entity adapted to he connected to receive first communications from and to send second communications to one or more other entities within the process plant pertaining to the field device;
• a second communication entity adapted to communicate with the field device via the communication network;
• and
• a logic entity adapted to automatically process the status field of a device message received via the second communication entity from the field device to determine if an abnormal status is associated with the field device and to provide an indication that an abnormal status is associated with the field device using the second communications via the first communication entity when an abnormal status is present in the status field of the device message.

A testing entity for use in a process plant having a field device and having a processor communicatively coupled to the field device, the testing entity comprising:

• a computer readable medium;
• and
• a test control program stored on the computer readable medium and adapted to be executed on the processor, the test control program including;
• a device testing routine adapted to perform a diagnostic test on the field device during normal operation of the process;
• a first communication entity adapted to be connected via a first external communication network to receive first communications from and to send second communications to one or more other entities within the process plant pertaining to the device testing routine;
• a second communication entity adapted to communicate with the field device via a second external communication network;
• and
• a logic entity adapted to initiate the device testing routine in response to the first communications received via the first communication entity to cause the device testing routine to communicate with the field device via the second communication entity, to receive a test result from the device testing routine and to provide an indication of the test result using the second communications via the first communication entity.