Wireless power and communication unit for process field devices

A process communication system comprising:

• a process variable generator coupleable to the process, the process variable generator being operably coupled to a transducer and having communication circuitry for communication over a process control loop and receiving electrical power from the process control loop to power the process variable generator;
• a wireless power and communication unit for providing wireless operation to the process variable generator, the unit including:
• a housing;
• an attachment region coupling the housing to the process variable generator through a standard field device conduit;
• a power storage device disposed within the housing and configured to power the process variable generator;
• a loop communicator connected to the process variable generator via the attachment region and configured to interact with the process variable generator via the communication circuitry;
• a controller coupled to the power storage device and loop communicator, the controller being configured to interact with the process variable generator using the loop communicator and configured to actively manage power for the wireless power and communication unit and the process variable generator;
• a wireless communication module coupled to the controller and being configured for wireless communication based upon interaction with the process variable generator;
• and
• a local user interface;
• wherein the power management includes causing the process variable generator to enter a sleep mode;
• and
• wherein the power management includes causing at least a portion of the wireless power and communication unit to enter a sleep mode.