Field maintenance tool
AssigneeFisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
InventorsMartin Zielinski, Daniel E. Vande Vusse, Kun Yang, Alan R. Dewey, Alden C. Russell, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved field maintenance tool is provided. The tool is operable with process communication loops in accordance with a plurality of process industry standard protocols. Aspects of the invention include hardware features such as an infrared port; removable memory module; and an expansion memory module. Additional aspects of the invention include protocol-specific diagnostic methods executable with the improved field maintenance tool.
Claims17
A method of diagnosing a fieldbus process communication loop with a field maintenance tool, the method comprising:
- identifying devices on the loop;
- comparing a list of identified devices on the loop with a live list;
- and
- generating a diagnostic output based upon the comparison.
A method of diagnosing a fieldbus process communication loop with a field maintenance tool, the method comprising:
- communicating, in turn, rapidly with each device on the loop;
- recording a list of communication errors for each device on the loop;
- and
- communicating data indicative of communication errors.
A method of diagnosing a HART process communication loop with a field maintenance tool, the method comprising:
- attempting to communicate with a HART device on the loop in a normal communication mode;
- observing whether a response is received from the HART device relative to the attempted normal communication;
- attempting to communicate with the HART device in an enhanced communication mode;
- observing whether a response is received from the HART device relative to the attempted enhanced communication;
- and
- generating diagnostic information based upon at least one of observed normal responses, observed enhanced responses, and observed non-responses.
A field maintenance tool comprising:
- terminals selectably coupleable to a process communication loop having a process industry standard communication protocol;
- first and second media access units coupled to the terminals, wherein the first media access unit is adapted to communicate in accordance with a first process industry standard communication protocol, and wherein the second media access unit is adapted to communicate in accordance with a second process industry standard communication protocol;
- a processor coupled to the first and second media access units;
- a keypad coupled to the processor to receive user input;
- a display coupled to the processor to display data;
- and
- an infrared port coupled to the processor to wirelessly communicate with an external device.
A field maintenance tool comprising:
- terminals selectably coupleable to a process communication loop having a process industry standard communication protocol;
- first and second media access units coupled to the terminals, wherein the first media access unit is adapted to communicate in accordance with a first process industry standard communication protocol, and wherein the second media access unit is adapted to communicate in accordance with a second process industry standard communication protocol;
- a processor coupled to the first and second media access units;
- a keypad coupled to the processor to receive user input;
- a display coupled to the processor to display data;
- and
- a removable memory module removably coupled to the processor.
A field maintenance tool comprising:
- terminals selectably coupleable to a process communication loop having a process industry standard communication protocol;
- first and second media access units coupled to the terminals, wherein the first media access unit is adapted to communicate in accordance with a first process industry standard communication protocol, and wherein the second media access unit is adapted to communicate in accordance with a second process industry standard communication protocol;
- a processor coupled to the first and second media access units;
- a keypad coupled to the processor to receive user input;
- a display coupled to the processor to display data;
- and
- an expansion memory module coupled to the processor via a connector disposed on a mainboard.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.