IMPROVED FIELD DEVICE INTERFACE WITH NETWORK PROTECTION MECHANISM

摘要

A field device interface module (10) includes a connector (20), a plurality of terminals (50, 52), a protocol interface module (26), a controller (38) and a power supply module (30). The connector (20) is configured to operably couple to a computer (14). The terminals (50, 52) are operably coupleable to a field device (12). The protocol interface module (26) is coupled to the plurality of terminals (50, 52) and configured to generate signals in accordance with a process communication protocol. A power supply module (30) is coupled to the plurality of terminals (50, 52). The controller (38) is coupled to the protocol interface module (26) and to the power supply module (30) and is configured to measure a voltage across the plurality of terminals (50, 52) and selectively cause the power supply module (30) to provide power to the field device (12).