US 7,228,186 B2 · Field-mounted process device with programmable digital/analog interface

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a field-mountable process device that receives digital information from one or more process devices, and provides an associated analog output. Embodiments of the present invention include providing a wireless interface to the field-mounted process device such that configuration and/or diagnostic information can be communicated between the field-mounted process device and one or more additional devices. In some embodiments, the field-mounted process device can be completely powered by the digital process communication loop to which it is coupled. Finally, embodiments of the present invention also include generating and storing within the field-mounted process device a mapping between one or more field devices communicating in accordance with a digital process communication protocol and an analog output of the field-mounted process device.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A field-mountable process device comprising:

a loop communicator configured to couple to a process communication loop and communicate digitally over the loop;
memory configured to store a map relating a first digital parameter relative to a first digital process device coupled to the process communication loop to a first analog module and a second digital parameter to a second analog module;
a controller coupled to the loop communicator and configured to convert between the first parameter and first analog signal information and to convert between the second digital parameter and second analog signal information;
a first analog module operably coupled to the controller and configured to convey a first analog signal related to the first analog signal information;
and
a second analog module operably coupled to the controller and configured to convey a second analog signal related to the second analog signal information.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Field-mounted process device with programmable digital/analog interface

Life of this patent

Field-mounted process device with programmable digital/analog interface

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21