Apparatus and method supporting wireless communications between devices using different application protocols in industrial control and automation systems

摘要

A method includes communicating at a translator device with first devices in a first network using a first protocol and with second devices in a second network using a second protocol. The method also includes receiving data messages at the translator device, where the data messages include first data messages communicated between devices using a common protocol and second data messages communicated between devices using different protocols. The method further includes communicating each first data message from the translator device, where each first data message is routed towards a destination using the common protocol associated with the first data message. In addition, the method includes, for each second data message, translating contents of the second data message at the translator device to generate a new data message compliant with another protocol and communicating the new data message from the translator device towards a destination over the first or second network.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
communicating at a translator device with multiple first devices in a first network using a first protocol and with multiple second devices in a second network using a second protocol; receiving multiple data messages at the translator device, the data messages including first data messages communicated between devices that use a common one of the protocols and second data messages communicated between devices that use different ones of the protocols; communicating each first data message from the translator device, each first data message routed towards a destination using the common one of the protocols associated with the first data message; and for each second data message, translating contents of the second data message at the translator device from one of the protocols to another of the protocols to generate a new data message and communicating the new data message from the translator device towards a destination over the first or second network; wherein a first subset of the second data messages are received over the first network using proxy addresses associated with the first protocol, the contents of the first subset are extracted using a virtual device associated with the first protocol and used by first objects associated with the second protocol to generate the new data messages associated with the first subset, and the new data messages associated with the first subset are published using second objects associated with the second protocol; and wherein a second subset of the second data messages are received over the second network, the contents of the second subset are extracted using third objects associated with the second protocol and used by the virtual device to generate the new data messages associated with the second subset, and the new data messages associated with the second subset are communicated using the proxy addresses.