System and method for accessing and configuring field devices in a process control system using distributed control components

A system comprising:

• a client comprising (i) a device manager associated with a field device in a process control system and (ii) a first emulator, the device manager configured to define the field device's configuration;
• and
• an interface component comprising (i) a second emulator configured to emulate the device manager and (ii) a communication manager configured to define an interface for communicating with the field device over a communication link using a specified protocol, the first emulator configured to emulate the communication manager;
• wherein:
• the client is configured to receive a first request to configure or access the field device from an operator, instantiate the device manager in response to the first request, and generate a user interface for interacting with the field device for presentation to the operator, the client configured to generate the user interface using the device manager;
• the client is also configured to obtain a second request associated with the field device at the device manager using the user interface, provide the second request from the device manager to the first emulator, and communicate the second request from the first emulator to the second emulator;
• the interface component is configured to receive the second request at the second emulator and provide the second request from the second emulator to the communication manager, the communication manager configured to communicate the second request to the field device;
• and
• the client is physically separated from the interface component.

An apparatus comprising:

• a device manager associated with a field device in a process control system, the device manager configured to define the field device's configuration and a user interface for interacting with the field device;
• and
• a first emulator configured to emulate a communication manager that defines an interface for communicating with at least the field device over a communication link using a specified protocol;
• wherein the apparatus forms at least part of a first physical device;
• wherein the apparatus is configured to receive a first request to configure or access the field device from an operator, instantiate the device manager in response to the first request, and generate the user interface for presentation to the operator, the apparatus configured to generate the user interface using the device manager;
• wherein the apparatus is also configured to obtain a second request associated with the field device at the device manager using the user interface and provide the second request from the device manager to the first emulator;
• and
• wherein the first emulator is configured to receive the second request from the device manager and to provide the second request to a second emulator forming at least part of a second physical device, the second emulator configured to provide the second request to the communication manager.