FR3109645A1 - HART data analysis device - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) comprising a housing (2), the housing (2) comprising: a HART port (4) adapted to be connected to a current loop conforming to the HART protocol, to transmit a command to an instrumented system also connected to the current loop, and to receive any data transmitted by the instrumented equipment in response to the command, and an analysis module (6) configured to generate or not an alert depending on the possible data. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

HART Data Analysis Device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for analyzing data transmitted using the HART protocol.

STATE OF THE ART

The HART (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) protocol was developed in the mid-1980s to allow two-way communication of diagnostic and configuration information between different devices. It allows both the configuration of the connected equipment but also the feedback of operating data provided by the sensors integrated into this field equipment.

A very large number of instrumented systems (approximately 40 million according to the Fieldbuses Foundation) use the HART protocol for its simplicity and robustness, particularly for equipment located over very long distances, due to the use of a current loop 4 /20mA. The current loop is reliable and highly immune to environmental interference over long communication distances. It is not surprising, therefore, that it is still widely used in the industry today.

Generally, an instrumented system to be monitored is connected to a HART multiplexer by such a current loop. The multiplexer is connected to a gateway, this gateway itself being connected to a remote monitoring system by a link of another type, typically Ethernet. Thus, a data generated by this instrumented system is transmitted to the multiplexer via the current loop conforming to the HART protocol, then retransmitted to the monitoring system via the aforementioned gateway and link.

However, such an overall system has drawbacks, including high complexity and installation cost. It is also not possible to carry out an analysis of the data in the field.

An object of the invention is to be able to analyze data reported by an instrumented system in a simple, inexpensive, and local way.

To this end, according to a first aspect, a device is proposed comprising a housing, the housing comprising:
- a HART port adapted to be connected to a current loop conforming to the HART protocol, to transmit a command to an instrumented system also connected to the current loop, and to receive any data transmitted by the instrumented equipment in response to the order,
- an analysis module configured to generate or not an alert depending on the possible data.

The device according to this first aspect can comprise the following optional characteristics, taken alone or combined with each other when this makes sense.

Preferably, the analysis module is configured to compare the data with a threshold, and whether or not to generate an alert depending on the comparison.

Preferably, the analysis module is configured to generate an alert when no response to the command is received by the HART port.

Preferably, the device comprises a man-machine interface suitable for signaling the alert to a user of the device, and/or a communication interface for communicating the alert generated to a remote monitoring system.

Preferably, the HART port is adapted to receive data transmitted on the current loop by various instrumented systems arranged in series.

Preferably, the device comprises a plurality of HART ports adapted to be simultaneously connected to respective current loops conforming to the HART protocol, and to receive data transmitted on the current loops by different instrumented systems.

Preferably, the analysis module is configured to order storage or not of the data and/or of the generated alert, according to a predefined criterion, and/or to order erasure in a memory of the data and/ or the alert according to a predefined criterion.

Preferably, the analysis module is configured to control periodic scanning of the instrumented system on the current loop.

Preferably, the housing comprises a verification module configured to verify a state of the device during a power-up of the device, and to generate an alert if the verification reveals a failure of the device.

There is also proposed, according to a second aspect, a method comprising steps of
- connection of a HART port to a current loop conforming to the HART protocol, the HART port being included in a box,
- transmission via the HART port of a command to an instrumented system also connected to the current loop,
- possible reception by the HART port of data transmitted on the current loop by the instrumented system in response to the command,
- whether or not to generate an alert depending on the data possibly received.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, and which must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates device according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of steps of a method according to one embodiment of the invention.

In all the figures, similar elements bear identical references.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figure 1 , a device 1 comprises a housing 2, the housing 2 comprising at least one HART port 4.

Each HART port 4 is adapted to be connected to a current loop conforming to the HART protocol, and to communicate via this current loop with an instrumented system A, B itself connected to this current loop.

Each HART port 4 is in particular suitable for communicating with different instrumented systems arranged in series (“multi-drop” mode of the HART protocol).

When the box 2 comprises a plurality of HART ports 4, the HART ports 4 are adapted to be simultaneously connected to different current loops conforming to the HART protocol. Thus, these HARTS 4 ports can receive data transmitted on the current loops by different instrumented systems in parallel. In the exemplary embodiment represented in FIG. 1, the device 1 comprises two HART ports 4, one of which is connected to a current loop connected to an instrumented system A, and another connected to another current loop connected to another instrumented system B (the current loops are represented in figure 1 by two bold lines).

The or each HART port 4 is for example in the form of at least one HART modem (consequently integrating a function of modulation/demodulation of HART signals transported on the current loop).

Device 1 also includes a galvanic isolator adapted to isolate itself from a current loop, in order not to disturb the 4/20 mA signal.

The box 2 also comprises an analysis module 6 is generally configured to analyze data received by a HART port 4 of the device 1, coming from an instrumented system. Its operation will be detailed later.

The analysis module 6 comprises at least one processor, for example a nanocomputer of the Raspberry Pi type or any other equivalent system. The analysis module 6 is suitable for running a data analysis program.

Box 2 also includes a memory 8 for storing data. The memory 8 is for example detachable from the case 2.

The box 2 also comprises a man-machine interface (HMI) 10. The HMI 10 can comprise:

• Buttons with various functions (power on, initialization, start of recordings in memory 8, etc.).
• A display screen and/or at least one indicator light, to report information or events to a user (memory 8 full, HART link problems, active/inactive mode, low battery, results of analysis carried out by the module of analysis 6, etc.).

The box 2 also comprises a communication interface 12 for communicating with a remote monitoring system S, the monitoring system itself being provided with its own MMI. This communication interface 12 is for example of the wireless radio type (Wi-Fi or cellular for example).

The box 2 also includes a module 14 for verifying the internal state of the device 1. This verification module 14 can be part of the analysis module 6 or be separate from the latter.

The box 2 also comprises a battery 16 to supply the components mentioned above with energy, for example a 5 volt battery.

Referring to Figure 2 , a method using the device 1 comprises the following steps.

A HART port 4 of device 1 is connected to a current loop itself connected to at least one instrumented system A, B.

The device 1 is powered up (step 100), for example using a button provided for this purpose on the box 2, or remotely on command from the monitoring system S.

Following this power-up, the verification module 14 verifies the state of the device 1 (step 102), and in particular of its components: remaining power level, remaining available space in the memory 8, etc.

If the check reveals a fault, this is signaled via the HMI 10, for example by the illumination of a dedicated “System fault” LED.

Otherwise, the normal state of device 1 is signaled via the HMI 10, for example by the lighting of another "On" LED.

In this second case, the analysis module 6 implements an identification of at least one instrumented system connected to the device 1 via a HART port 4 and a current loop (step 104).

This identification step 104 includes the transmission of at least one identification command on each HART port 4, for example a plurality of identification commands each associated with a specific address. For example, sixteen identification commands respectively associated with addresses ranging from 0 to 15 are issued. If an instrumented system is connected to a HART port 4 via a current loop, and this instrumented system has an address equal to an address indicated in an identification command sent by device 1, this instrumented system reports itself to of the device 1 according to a method known per se.

A list of instrumented systems identified during the identification step is then recorded in the memory 8, for example in a configuration file.

For example, an identified instrumented system is a sensor, positioner, controller or valve.

An identified instrumented system can for example be part of a nuclear power plant, but can also be used in other types of industry: petrochemicals, thermal production, water networks and heating networks, locks and river network systems, etc

The analysis module 6 then transmits a command on a HART port 4 to a previously identified instrumented system (step 106). This transmission is for example periodic (we also speak of polling). Upon receipt of the command, the instrumented system concerned is supposed to transmit to the same HART port 4 at least one datum in response to the command. The data can provide information on a state of the instrumented system, or be a measurement acquired by the instrumented system.

The module checks whether data is received via the HART port 4 in response to the command sent (step 108).

If the analysis module 6 detects that no data is received via the HART port 4 in response to the transmitted command, for example within a predefined period of time from the emission of the command, the analysis module 6 generates an alert (step 114).

Otherwise, the analysis module 6 applies all or part of the following processing to the data received via the HART port 4, in response to the command.

The analysis module 6 can timestamp the data.

The analysis module 6 can also save the data in the memory 8. If necessary, the associated timestamp and/or the HARD address of the instrumented system that transmitted the data is saved in the memory 8.

The data is analyzed by the analysis module 6. The analysis module 6 compares the data with a threshold (step 112). Depending on this comparison, the analysis module 6 generates an alert or not (step 114). For example, an alert is issued when the data has a value greater than that of the threshold, and is not issued otherwise (or vice versa).

The threshold used may be specific to the instrumented system.

The threshold can be a reference datum stored in advance by the device 1.

As a variant, the threshold is a datum previously sent by the instrumented system then received by a HART port of the device 1. A change in the value of the datum over time can thus be taken into account.

Ultimately, step 114 of generating an alert is implemented when the instrumented system requested does not respond, or when it returns data that reveals a failure.

An alert can be signaled to a user via an MMI (step 116). For example, this HMI 10 is that of the device 1 itself, in which case it is a user of the device 1 who is warned of a failure or a potential problem affecting the instrumented system that provided the data. As a variant, the alert is transmitted to the remote surveillance system S by the communication interface 12, for signaling the alert to a user of this surveillance system S.

An alert can also be stored in the memory 8 on command from the analysis module 6 (step 120), with a view to deferred consultation.

The analysis module 8 can decide whether or not to store data received in the memory 8 according to a predefined criterion. For example, the analysis module 6 can decide to store only alerts and/or data that gave rise to alerts. Other selective sorting policies before storage are also possible.

This sorting can also be done a posteriori : the data and/or the alerts can in fact all be recorded in the memory at first, and some of them be erased from this memory in a second time, depending on a predefined criterion.

The analysis module 6 can also export data and/or alerts, for example by sending them to a monitoring system or by copying them onto a memory card 8 separable from the box 2. For example, the data is exported under the form of a table, for example in .csv format. All data can be exported, or only part of the recorded data, again according to a predefined criterion.

The above steps can be repeated until device 1 is powered down (this power down can be triggered manually via a button, or be programmed and therefore triggered automatically at the end of a predefined time).

Claims (10)

Device (1) comprising a housing (2), the housing (2) comprising:
- a HART port (4) adapted to be connected to a current loop conforming to the HART protocol, to transmit a command to an instrumented system also connected to the current loop, and to receive any data transmitted by the instrumented equipment in command response,
- an analysis module (6) configured to generate or not an alert depending on the possible data. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the analysis module (6) is configured to compare the data with a threshold, and whether or not to generate an alert depending on the comparison. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the analysis module (6) is configured to generate an alert when no response to the command is received by the HART port (4). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a man-machine interface (10) suitable for signaling the alert to a user of the device, and/or a communication interface (12) for communicating the alert generated to a remote monitoring system (S). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the HART port (4) is adapted to receive data transmitted on the current loop by various instrumented systems arranged in series. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of HART ports (4) adapted to be simultaneously connected to respective current loops conforming to the HART protocol, and to receive data transmitted on the current loops by different instrumented systems. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the analysis module (6) is configured to control storage or not of the data item and/or of the alert generated, according to a predefined criterion, and/or ordering an erasure in a memory of the data item and/or of the alert according to a predefined criterion. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the analysis module (6) is configured to control periodic scanning of the instrumented system on the current loop. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (2) comprises a verification module (14) configured to verify a state of the device when the device is powered up, and to generate an alert if the check reveals a failure of the device (1). Method comprising steps of
- connection of a HART port to a current loop conforming to the HART protocol, the HART port being included in a box,
- transmission via the HART port of a command to an instrumented system also connected to the current loop,
- possible reception by the HART port of data transmitted on the current loop by the instrumented system in response to the command,
- whether or not to generate an alert depending on the data possibly received.