Apparatus for providing access to field devices in a distributed control system

摘要

An apparatus for accessing field devices in a distributed control system provides non-redundant secondary access to a plurality of field devices that are controlled by a control room. An apparatus also provides redundant wireless to access field devices in a distributed control system having primary access to the field devices provided by hard-wired media that couples the field devices to the control room. The field devices are coupled to a Fieldbus control network. In a first embodiment, each field device is provided with a wireless Fieldbus port that is accessible by a wireless handheld unit or wireless terminal. In a second embodiment, each Fieldbus control network is provided with a field module having a wireless Fieldbus port that allows all devices connected to the Fieldbus control network to be accessed by a wireless handheld unit or a wireless terminal. In a third embodiment, an H2-to-H1 Fieldbus bridge (which may service a plurality of H1 control networks) is provided with a wireless Fieldbus port that allows all Fieldbus devices connected to H1 control networks serviced by the H2-to-H1 bridge to be access by a wireless handheld unit of a wireless terminal. In a fourth embodiment, a bridge/converter provides an interface between older analog control room components and newer Fieldbus field devices.