Self-configuring communication networks for use with process control systems

A system for establishing a communication network for use in a process control system having a controller and a plurality of wireless enabled field devices, the system comprising:

• a memory;
• a processor coupled to the memory and programmed to:
• identify a plurality of wireless communication links available for routing communications between the wireless enabled field devices and the controller, wherein each of the wireless enabled field devices is at least one of a sensor or an actuator;
• and
• assign at least first and second ones of the plurality of wireless communication links to a first one of the wireless enabled field devices based on at least one predetermined signal criterion, wherein the first wireless communication link wirelessly communicatively couples the first wireless enabled field device to a second wireless device, and wherein the second wireless communication link wirelessly communicatively couples the second wireless device to the controller.

A wireless interface for use with a field device, comprising:

• a wireless transceiver;
• a memory;
• and
• a processor coupled to the memory and programmed to:
• identify wireless communication links available to the field device;
• select at least first and second ones of the available wireless communication links based on at least one predetermined signal characteristic;
• wirelessly exchange at least one of sensor measurement information or actuator control information with the field device via the first wireless communication link;
• and
• wirelessly exchange the at least one of the sensor measurement information or the actuator information with a controller via the second wireless communication link.