Flexible input/output devices for use in process control systems

An input/output card for use in a process control system, the input/output card comprising:

• a communication protocol component comprising:
• a first communications channel to establish communications between at least one of a plurality of field devices and a control device using a first of one of a plurality of available communication protocols, and
• a second communications channel to simultaneously establish communications between at least another of the plurality of field devices and the control device using a second one of the plurality of available communication protocols,
• wherein the second communication protocol is different than the first communication protocol,
• wherein each of the plurality of communications channels is coupled to a respective reconfigurable component of the communication protocol component and the reconfigurable components are configurable using a configuration application associated with the process control system, and
• wherein the configuration application is enabled to selectively and independently configure the reconfigurable components.

A method of controlling a plurality of field devices, the method comprising:

• initializing an input/output card that includes a communication protocol component having a plurality of reconfigurable components that are respectively coupled to a plurality of communications channels;
• configuring the reconfigurable components of the communication protocol component by extending a configuration application associated with a control system, wherein the configuration application is enabled to selectively and independently configure the reconfigurable components;
• configuring a first communications channel of the plurality of communications channels to use a first of a plurality of available communication protocols;
• and
• configuring a second communications channel of the plurality of communications channels to use a second of the plurality of available communication protocols, wherein the second communication protocol is different than the first communication protocol;
• communicating with one of the field devices via the first communications channel using the first communication protocol;
• and
• simultaneously communicating with another of the field devices via the second communications channel using the second communication protocol.

A machine accessible storage device or storage disc comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to control at least one of a plurality of field devices by:

• initializing an input/output card that includes a communication protocol component having a plurality of reconfigurable components that are respectively coupled to a plurality of communications channels;
• configuring the communication protocol component by extending a configuration application associated with a control system, wherein the configuration application is enabled to selectively and independently configure the reconfigurable components;
• configuring a first communications channel of the plurality of communications channels to use a first of a plurality of available communication protocols;
• and
• configuring a second communications channel of the plurality of communications channels to use a second of the plurality of available communication protocols, wherein the second communication protocol is different than the first communication protocol;
• communicating with one of the field devices via the first communications channel using the first communication protocol;
• and
• simultaneously communicating with another of the field devices via the second communications channel using the second communication protocol.

A method of using an input/output card including a communication protocol component having a plurality of reconfigurable components respectively coupled to a plurality of communications channels in a process control system to communicate using a plurality of communication protocols, the method comprising:

• configuring the communication protocol component by extending a configuration application associated with a control system, wherein the configuration application is enabled to selectively and independently configure the reconfigurable components of the input/output card;
• configuring at least first one of a plurality of communications channels of the input-output card to communicate with at least one of a plurality of field devices using a first communication protocol;
• and
• configuring at least a second one of the plurality of communications channels of the input-output card to communicate with at least another one of the plurality of field devices using a second communication protocol, wherein the first and second communications channels are to use the first and second communication protocols, respectively, simultaneously, wherein the second communication protocol is different than the first communication protocol.