WO2009060000A1

WO2009060000A1 - Operation of a wireless adapter via a field device that is connected thereto

Info

Publication number: WO2009060000A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/065003
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Seiler
Original assignee: Endress+Hauser Process Solutions Ag
Priority date: 2007-11-05
Filing date: 2008-11-05
Publication date: 2009-05-14
Also published as: DE102007053057A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a system comprising a field device (2) in process automation technology and to a wireless adapter (4) that is connected to a communication interface (10) of the field device (2). Said method consists of the following step: the wireless adapter (4) is operated, in particular for displaying and/or adjusting at least one parameter of the wireless adapter (4), via the field device (2).

Description

Description Operation of a wireless adapter via a connected field device

The present invention relates to a method for operating a system comprising a field device of the process automation technology and a wireless adapter, according to the preamble of claim 1 and a field device of the process automation technology according to the preamble of claim 15.

In the field of process automation technology, field devices are often used which serve to detect and / or influence process variables. Sensors, such as level gauges, flowmeters, pressure and temperature measuring devices, pH redox potential measuring devices, conductivity meters, etc., which record the respective process variables level, flow, pressure, temperature, pH or conductivity, are used to record process variables , To influence process variables are actuators, such as valves or pumps, via which the flow of a liquid in a pipeline section or the level can be changed in a container. In principle, field devices are all devices that are used close to the process and that provide or process process-relevant information. A large number of such field devices are manufactured and sold by Endress + Hauser.

In modern industrial plants field devices are usually connected via bus systems (Profi-bus®, Foundation® Fieldbus, HART®, etc.) with higher-level units. Normally, the higher-level units are control systems or control units, such as PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) or PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). The higher-level units serve, among other things, for process control, process visualization, process monitoring and commissioning of the field devices. The measured values acquired by the field devices, in particular by sensors, are transmitted via the respective bus system to one (or possibly several) higher-level unit (s). There is also one next to it Data transmission from the higher-level unit via the bus system to the field devices required, in particular for the configuration and parameterization of field devices and for controlling actuators.

[0004] In addition to a wired data transmission between the

Field devices and the higher-level unit there is also the possibility of a wireless (wireless) data transmission. Especially in the bus systems Profibus®, Foundation® Fieldbus and HART® wireless data transmission via radio is specified. Furthermore, radio networks for sensors are further specified in the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. In order to realize a wireless data transmission, newer field devices, in particular sensors and actuators, are partly designed as radio field devices. These generally have a radio unit and a power source, by means of which a self-sufficient power supply of the field device is made possible, as an integral component.

In addition, it is possible field devices without radio unit, in particular sensors and actuators, by connecting a wireless adapter, which has a radio unit to upgrade to a radio field device. Such a wireless adpater is therefore a unit by means of which a "conventional" field device, which is designed only for a wired connection to a fieldbus, can be expanded to a radio field device The wireless adapter is connected to a communication interface, in particular to a fieldbus communication interface, of the field device, whereby the connection between the wireless adapter and the field device is usually solvable

Fieldbus communication interface, the field device to send the data to be transmitted via the bus system to the wireless adapter, which then transmits them via radio to the destination. Conversely, the wireless adapter can receive data via radio and forward it to the field device via the fieldbus communication interface. The supply of the field device with electrical power is usually via a power source of the wireless adapter. In a field device, a plurality of parameters is provided. To the

Part of these are preset by the manufacturer of the field device and / or can be adjusted by a user, in particular modified, activated and / or disabled. Parameters of a field device are, for example, a measuring range, limit values, units, etc. In a corresponding manner, parameters are also provided in a wireless adapter. Parameters of the wireless adapter include, for example, parameters related to operation of the wireless adapter in a wireless network, such as a network key or network ID. Furthermore, parameters are generally provided in a wireless adapter, which relate to the operation of the wireless adapter in combination with the field device connected thereto, such as a minimum power supply of the field device or a "duty cycle rate" indicating at what intervals Furthermore, a wireless adapter can record values such as the signal quality of a received signal or other connection information to adjacent nodes of the wireless network are also generally referred to as parameters, in particular as detected parameters.

To start up the system of field device and connected wireless adapter is usually required that both the parameters of the field device and the parameters of the wireless adapter of the respective application are set accordingly. Also during operation, it may be necessary to set parameters of the field device and / or the wireless adapter. This setting, in particular changing, activating and / or deactivating parameters is also referred to as parameterization and / or configuration. A visual display of the currently set and / or sensed parameters makes it easier for the user to know about the current settings and the current operating state of the field device and the wireless adapter to inform.

Field devices often have an integrated into the field device control unit, which allows, inter alia, the setting of parameters that are provided in the field device, directly at the site of the field device concerned. Often, the operating unit is designed as a display and operating unit and, in addition to a manual input device, such as a keypad, also comprises a display unit, which may be e.g. the input of parameters via the operating unit by a corresponding graphically displayed menu facilitates. Furthermore, parameters such as, for example, the currently set parameters and / or the parameters (or values) detected by the field device, such as measured values, may be displayed on the display unit.

It is also possible to set parameters of a field device from a parent unit and display on a display thereof. For this purpose, an operating program (operating tool) is generally provided in the higher-level unit (for example, FieldCare® from Endress + Hauser), which as a rule provides a graphical user interface. Furthermore, the currently set and / or detected parameters can generally be displayed on a display of the higher-level unit via such an operating program, and it is possible to set parameters of the field device. The higher-level unit can be connected directly to the fieldbus to which the relevant field device is connected, or to a higher-level communication network.

In addition, parameters of a field device can also by an operating device, such as by a portable personal computer (laptop), a portable handheld device (handheld), a PDA (English: Personal Digital Assistant), etc ., on which an operating program (operating tool) is implemented, are set. Furthermore, the respective currently set and / or detected parameters can be displayed on a display of the operating device via the operating program. The HMI device can communicate with the field device via the fieldbus, to which the field device to be parameterized is connected, or directly via a corresponding service interface provided on the field device. An operating program implemented in a higher-level unit or in a HMI device often provides more display options, status displays and evaluation options than can be operated directly via the field device via an HMI device.

In the same way, it is also possible in principle to set and / or display parameters of a wireless adapter via a higher-level unit, via an operating device and / or via a display and operating unit provided on the wireless adapter. In order to enable operation of the wireless adapter, in particular a setting and / or display of at least one parameter of the wireless adapter on site, in this case, it is necessary that the wireless adapter with a corresponding service interface (for operation via an HMI device) and / or with a corresponding display and control unit (for direct operation via the display and control unit) is equipped. However, providing such a service interface and / or display and control unit to the wireless adapter is associated with increased power consumption and increased manufacturing cost of the wireless adapter. Furthermore, for commissioning a system with a field device and an associated wireless adapter on site, the user must set the parameters of the field device and the parameters of the wireless adapter in separate processes, which entails an increased expenditure of time.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a system with a field device and a wireless adapter, which is connected to a communication interface of the field device, through which an effective and time-saving operation of the system, in particular the wireless Adapters, is enabled. The object is achieved by a method according to claim 1, by a use according to claim 14 and by a field device according to claim 15. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a system comprising a field device of process automation technology and a wireless adapter. The wireless adapter is connected to a communication interface of the field device. The method comprises the following step: operating the wireless adapter, in particular displaying and / or setting at least one parameter of the wireless adapter, via the field device.

The wireless adapter is preferably detachably connected to the field device. The operation of the wireless adapter preferably comprises operating at least one parameter of the wireless adapter, such as displaying and / or setting at least one parameter of the wireless adapter. However, "operating" may also include controlling other functionalities of the wireless adapter via the field device, such as turning on or turning off the wireless adapter, driving certain functionality or operation of the wireless adapter, etc. As discussed above, a "Parameter" is both an adjustable, in particular a changeable, activatable and / or deactivatable parameter, a parameter recorded in the wireless adapter and a parameter that is fixed by the manufacturer and can not be changed.

Characterized in that according to the present invention, the operation of the

Wireless adapters via the field device, it is not necessary that a separate service interface for connecting an operating device and / or a display and control unit is provided on the wireless adapter. Rather, the facilities required for the operation, which are provided on the field device, such as a service interface and / or a display and / or operating unit, can also be used for operating the wireless adapter. This saves manufacturing costs for the wireless adapter and the power consumption and space requirements of the wireless adapter are reduced. Further, a user can make the operation of the field device and the wireless adapter together via the field device, so that the operation for the user is easy and time-saving. [0017] According to an advantageous embodiment, the

Communication interface designed as a fieldbus communication interface and communication over it is preferably carried out according to the respective fieldbus protocol. In particular, a standardized fieldbus system, such as, for example, Profibus® (see Profibus Profile Specification, Version 3.0) or Foundation® Fieldbus (cf., Foundation® Specification, Function Block Application Process, Revision FS 1.7), is suitable

Fieldbus communication interface according to the HART® standard (see "HART® Field Communication Protocol Specifications, Revision 7.0", available through the HART® Communication Foundation) is preferred due to the frequent use of this fieldbus system in that the field device is designed as a 2-conductor device, which means that both the communication and the power supply of the field device take place via a common 2-conductor connection which is at least partially formed by the communication interface of the field device.

Basically, there are various possibilities and communication ways to make an operation of the wireless adapter on the field device.

According to an advantageous development, the step of operating the wireless adapter to display at least one parameter of the wireless adapter, in particular a value of the wireless adapter, on a display unit of the field device. In particular, parameters or values detected by the wireless adapter, such as, for example, the signal quality of a received signal or further connection information to adjacent nodes of the wireless network, can be displayed on the display unit. According to an advantageous development At least one parameter of the wireless adapter is set via an operating unit of the field device. This makes it easy to set parameters on site. If the operating unit is designed as a combined display and operating unit, then, for example, a corresponding menu guidance can be provided on the display unit and the respective set parameters can be displayed.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the step of operating the wireless adapter from an operating unit, which is connected to a service interface of the field device is performed. In this case, such a service interface of the field device (and the corresponding operating device) is often designed such that a manufacturer-specific communication, i. not in accordance with a standardized fieldbus protocol. With the devices of the company Endress + Hauser such a service interface is usually designed as CDI (Common Data Interface).

Both in an operation of the wireless adapter via a display and / or control unit of the field device as well as a connected to a service interface of the field device HMI device, a user can be set in a simple manner on site, fixed by the manufacturer and / or captured parameters of the wireless adapter and set the parameters of the wireless adapter. The need to provide a separate service interface and / or display and / or control unit on the wireless adapter for on-site service is eliminated.

In addition, there is the possibility to communicate for an operation of the wireless adapter from a parent unit (with a corresponding operating program) via the (wireless) fieldbus, the wireless adapter and the communication interface with the field device. Similarly, for operation of the wireless adapter from an operating device (with a corresponding operating program) are communicated to the field device via a corresponding interface to the (wireless) fieldbus, via the fieldbus, the wireless adapter and the communication interface. In both cases, the wireless adapter and the communication interface for the information received via the fieldbus and to be sent with respect to the operation only a transparent communication channel, that is, the information is simply forwarded to this, without being processed in the wireless adapter. The information obtained via the fieldbus is processed in the field device and the field device then performs an operation of the wireless adapter in dependence on the information obtained via the fieldbus. For this purpose, preferably corresponding telegrams are sent from the field device via the communication interface to the wireless adapter.

According to an advantageous development is in the system of the

Field device and the wireless adapter, the wireless adapter a master and the field device a slave. In particular, when the communication interface is designed according to the HART® standard, the wireless adapter is usually a master and the field device is a slave, so that communication via the communication interface is usually initiated by the wireless adapter. Preferably, for displaying at least one parameter of the wireless adapter, a corresponding telegram with the at least one parameter to be displayed can be sent from the wireless adapter to the field device. Preferably, in the telegrams which are sent from the wireless adapter to the field device and which are preferably constructed in accordance with the HART® standard, a corresponding command, which may be a predefined in the respective bus system or a manufacturer-specific command, is used by indicating that the corresponding at least one parameter contained in the telegram is to be displayed.

According to an advantageous development is in the system of the

Field device and the wireless adapter of the wireless adapter a master and the field device is a slave, wherein for operating the wireless adapter via a control unit of the field device, a corresponding telegram can be initiated and sent from the field device to the wireless adapter. Characterized in that the sending of such a telegram by the operating unit, such as by pressing a corresponding button of the operating unit, can be initiated, can also be initiated by the field device as a slave communication via the communication interface. The telegram may contain a corresponding read request for this parameter and / or for setting a parameter a corresponding write request, in particular for displaying a parameter. The telegram is preferably designed in the form of a burst telegram according to the HART® standard. Such a burst telegram can also be sent by a slave (here: the field device), which is then usually in a burst mode, without being requested to do so by the master. However, the burst telegram is not sent cyclically or continuously by the slave, but the transmission is initiated or triggered by the operating unit of the field device. Furthermore, it can be provided that the user selects a parameter to be read and / or written by operating the operating unit, and the burst telegram then contains a corresponding read and / or write request with respect to this selected parameter. For such a read and / or write request of at least one parameter selected via the operating unit, the burst telegram may in particular have a manufacturer-specific command.

According to an advantageous development, at least during the period of operation of the wireless adapter via the field device in the system of the field device and the wireless adapter, the field device in a master mode and the wireless adapter in a slave mode switchable. Thereby, the possibility can be provided in a simple way that during this period of time a communication between Field device and wireless adapter can be initiated by the field device. This is particularly advantageous if the communication interface is designed according to the HART® standard. Preferably, the switching to this mode is triggered via an operating unit of the field device, if the operation is carried out from the operating unit, or triggered via a connected to a service interface of the field device operating device, if the operation is done from the operating device.

According to an advantageous refinement, an operating program for the wireless adapter is implemented on the field device and the step of operating the wireless adapter can be carried out by the user via the operating program, in particular by actuating a display and operating unit of the field device. This development is particularly advantageous in combination with the development explained in the paragraph above, according to which the field device can be switched to a master mode at least temporarily. By providing an operating program in the field device, a corresponding user interface and menu guidance for displaying and / or setting a parameter of the wireless adapter is provided for the user by the field device, so that an operation of the wireless adapter can be carried out in a convenient manner. The provision of such an operating program is particularly advantageous in the case of "intelligent" field devices with sufficient processor and memory performance, However, if the operation of the wireless adapter is performed by an operating device or by a higher-level unit, then the processor processor and processor are generally much higher Memory performance of such a HMI device or such a higher-level unit is preferred if a service program for the wireless adapter is implemented in the HMI device or in the higher-level unit In this case, the HMI program due to the higher available processor and memory performance compared to a The operating program implemented in the field device also has more display options, status displays and Provide evaluation options.

According to an advantageous development is - before using the wireless adapter - in the field device, an operating program simulated by the operation of the wireless adapter, in particular the setting of at least one parameter of the wireless adapter, offline is simulated, the offline set Data, in particular the at least one offline set parameters are stored in a memory of the field device. "Offline" means that there is no communication with the wireless adapter during this "offline" simulation. Consequently, the simulation can be performed even if the wireless adapter is not yet connected to the field device. The simulated operation of the wireless adapter is performed, for example, only on the user interface, which is provided by the simulated in the field device operating program. By storing the offline data in a memory of the field device, they can be transferred to the wireless adapter at a later time. For example, such offline set data can already be stored by the manufacturer of the field device in the memory of the field device. Due to the possibility of a staggered transmission of the offline set data, the wireless adapter can remain for the time being with its previous parameters and settings in operation. Similar to the development explained above, if the operation of the wireless adapter is carried out by an operating device or by a higher-level unit, then due to the generally significantly higher processor and memory performance of such an operating device or such a higher-order unit, when a control program for the wireless adapter in the HMI device or in the higher-level unit is simulated. The data set offline in the higher-level unit or in the operating unit can nevertheless be stored in a memory of the field device.

According to an advantageous development, at least a part of

Parameters of the wireless adapter, especially those for the operation of the Wireless Adapters parameters stored in the field device (or stored), wherein at the step of operating the wireless adapter at least part of these stored parameters are sent to the wireless adapter. Sending at least a portion of these stored parameters to the wireless adapter can be done both at the initiative of the field device and at the initiative of the wireless adapter. One advantage of this development is that the field device does not have to have high processor and memory performance for its implementation. Also, no complicated software changes the device software previous field devices are required for the realization of this development, since the stored in the field device parameters can be stored, for example, as a separate menu item under the previous parameters of the field device. Further, similar to the above-explained training parameters of the wireless adapter initially set offline in the field device, in particular changed, and a transfer of the same in the wireless adapter can be offset in time. When starting up the system from wireless adapter and field device, the wireless adapter is preferably started with preset parameters. This is particularly relevant if the field device is supplied with electrical power by the wireless adapter and thus a transmission of the parameters stored in the field device to the wireless adapter is not yet possible directly at the time of startup. By starting in such a compatibility mode with preset parameters, it can be ensured, for example, that the wireless adapter can already communicate with the connected field device. As soon as the field device is sufficiently activated, in particular as soon as the field device has been sufficiently supplied with electrical power and / or its software has booted sufficiently, the step of operating the wireless adapter is preferably carried out. In particular, the parameters stored in the field device can be transmitted from the field device to the wireless adapter, so that in the wireless adapter optimal settings of the parameters in relation to the operation in combination with the connected field device and in relation to the operation in the relevant (wireless) network can be made.

According to an advantageous development, a change of a parameter of the wireless adapter, which is stored in the field device, takes place in that first the parameter stored in the field device is changed and subsequently the changed parameter is sent from the field device to the wireless adapter. The transmission of the changed parameters can in turn be initiated by the field device or by the wireless adapter. A change of the parameters stored in the field device of the wireless adapter can be done in the same manner as the change of parameters of the field device. In particular, a change can be made via the (wireless) fieldbus from a higher-level unit or an operator panel, from an operator panel connected to a service interface of the field device, or from an operator panel on the field device itself.

According to the present invention, a use of a field device of the process automation technology for operating a wireless adapter, in particular for displaying and / or setting at least one parameter of the wireless adapter is further provided, wherein the wireless adapter is connected to a communication interface of the field device. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a field device of process automation technology is provided with a communication interface, in particular a fieldbus communication interface, to which a wireless adapter can be connected, wherein in the field device parameters of the wireless adapter to be connected, in particular those for the operation of the wireless adapter in combination with the relevant field device necessary parameters are stored. The above described in relation to the inventive method and in the Subclaims specified refinements and variants can be realized in a corresponding manner in the inventive use and in the field device according to the invention.

Further advantages and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. From the figures show:

Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a radio network with multiple field devices;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a field device and a connected wireless adapter; FIG. and

3 is a block diagram of the field device shown in FIG. 2 and FIG

Wireless Adapters, where an HMI device is connected to a service interface of the field device.

In Fig. 1, a radio network with multiple field devices F1, F2, ..., F6, which are each designed as radio field devices, and a gateway G is shown. The field devices F1, F2,..., F6 are in radio communication with each other and with the gateway G, which is shown in FIG. 1 by the dashed lines. Because the field devices F1, F2,..., F6 and the gateway G are in each case connected via a plurality of radio links FV, the communication via one of the other radio links FV can be maintained even if one of the radio links FV fails. Frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) or direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) methods are suitable as radio transmission technologies for the radio links FV. Due to the required low transmission power is also the

Ultrawideband technology (UWB) very well suited. The gateway G may be a remote transmission unit, eg the product Fieldgate of the company Endress + Hauser. In this case, the gateway G can communicate worldwide with, for example, via the Internet, GSM or landline with a higher-level unit. Furthermore, a (not shown) higher-level unit and / or a (not shown) operating device can also directly via a corresponding radio link with Communicate the illustrated wireless network.

In the block diagram of Fig. 2, a conventionally trained field device 2 and an attached wireless adapter 4 are shown schematically. By connecting the wireless adapter 4, the field device 2 to a radio field device, as shown for example in Fig. 1 by the field devices F1, F2, ... F6, be upgraded. The field device 2 has a transducer 6 and a control unit, which is designed as a microprocessor 8 on. The transducer 6 and the microprocessor s are in communication with each other. Furthermore, the field device 2 has a wired HART® communication interface 10 that is connected to the microprocessor 8. The HART® communication interface 10 is assigned a functional unit 12, which is formed by an ASIC (English: application specific integrated circuit) and which transmits and / or receives digital signals (corresponding to the HART®). Standard) via the HART® communication interface 10. Via the HART® communication interface 10, the field device 2 could alternatively be connected to the illustrated connection to the wireless adapter 4 to a wired HART® fieldbus system.

Furthermore, the field device 2 has a data memory 14 in which, inter alia, parameters of the field device 2 are stored (or stored). An access to the data memory 14 via the microprocessor s. For an operation of the field device 2 on site, a display and control unit 16 is provided on the field device 2, which has a display unit 18 and an operating unit 20 in the form of a keypad and is in communication with the microprocessor s. An operation of the field device 2 on site can also be carried out by a (not shown) operating device. For this purpose, a service interface 22, which is in communication with the microprocessor s, is also provided on the field device 2. The communication via the service interface 22 is manufacturer-specific, ie it does not take place according to a standardized fieldbus protocol. The service interface 22 is in turn assigned a functional unit 24 in the form of an ASIC, by means of which the transmission and / or reception of digital signals (corresponding to the manufacturer-specific communication) is carried out via the service interface 22.

The wireless adapter 4 also has a control unit in the form of a microprocessor 26. For data exchange via the radio network, the microprocessor 26 is connected to a radio unit 28 comprising an RF chipset and an antenna 30. The radio unit 28 is designed such that the wireless communication takes place in accordance with the HART® standard. The microprocessor 26 is further connected to a data memory 32, in which inter alia parameters of the wireless adapter 4 are stored. For communication with the field device 2, the wireless adapter 4 has a wired HART® communication interface 34, which in turn has a functional unit 36 that transmits and / or receives digital signals via the HART® communication interface 34 (according to the HART® Standard). The functional unit 36 is again formed by an ASIC. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, the HART® communication interface 10 of the field device 2 and the HART® communication interface 34 of the wireless adapter 4 are connected to one another via a 2-conductor connection line 38. Through this connection, both the communication between the field device 2 and the wireless adapter 4 and the power supply of the field device 2 by the wireless adapter 4th

To provide the power supply of the field device 2 (and the

Wireless Adapters 4), the wireless adapter 4 has a power source in the form of a battery 40 and a power supply 42 connected to the battery 40. About the power supply 42, the system components of the wireless adapter 4 (not shown power supply lines) and the system components of the field device 2 via the HART® communication interface 34, the 2-wire connection line 38, the HART® communication interface 10 and a connected power supply 44 of the field device 2 is supplied with electrical power. In the two power supplies 42 and 44, as is generally known in the art, a voltage transformation is performed in order for the respectively supplied system components and for the transmission of electrical power over the

2-wire connection line to provide the required voltage values. In this case, the individual power supply units 42 and 44 can also be subdivided into a plurality of power supply stages. In the following, an embodiment of the method according to the invention is explained with reference to FIG. According to this first embodiment, the wireless adapter 4 is operated via the display and operating unit 16 of the field device. For a communication between two devices in accordance with the HART® standard, there must be a clear assignment of which of the devices is in a master module and which of the devices is in a slave mode. In the system of the wireless adapter 4 and the field device 2, the wireless adapter 4 is usually a master and the field device 2 is a slave. If a parameter of the wireless adapter 4 is to be displayed on the display unit 18 of the field device 2, then the wireless adapter 4 on its own initiative simply a corresponding message, which is constructed according to the HART® standard, on the

Send HART® communication interface 10 of field device 2 to field device 2. The telegram contains the parameter to be displayed and a corresponding command which indicates that the parameter contained in the telegram is to be displayed on the display unit 18 of the field device 2. The command may in particular be a manufacturer-specific command, which is also implemented in the device software of the field device 2, so that it can be executed correctly by the field device 2. The parameter to be displayed can be, for example, a value recorded in the wireless adapter 4, such as the signal quality of a received signal or more Connection information to neighboring nodes of the wireless network, act. Furthermore, for example, the current battery status of the battery 40 of the wireless adapter 4 can be displayed. In addition, there is also the possibility that via the operating unit 20 of the field device 2, and thus of the field device 2 from a communication with the wireless adapter 4 is initiated or triggered. For example, a user can select a desired operating procedure of the wireless adapter 4, in particular a parameter of the wireless adapter 4 to be read or a parameter to be written, via a corresponding menu guidance provided by the display and operating unit 16. Such a selection option can be provided in particular and clearly displayed graphically if an operating program for the wireless adapter 4 is implemented on the field device 2. After selecting the desired operating procedure, the user can initiate the sending of a telegram corresponding to the selected operating procedure via the operating unit, in particular by pressing a corresponding key. The telegram is again constructed in accordance with the HART® standard and has a command corresponding to the selected operating procedure, in particular a read or a write request of the selected parameter. The telegram is preferably a burst telegram according to the HART® standard, which, however, is not sent cyclically or continuously, but is only sent when the transmission process is triggered via the operating unit 20 of the field device 2. In accordance with the command contained in the telegram, a response telegram is then sent back by the wireless adapter 4 in which, for example, a parameter requested in the read request is specified or in which it is confirmed that a parameter contained in the write request has been written into the wireless adapter 4. Subsequently, a desired parameter of the wireless adapter 4 can be displayed on the display unit 18 of the field device 2. If the control unit has been used to set a parameter of the wireless adapter 4, that is, the telegram sent by the field device 2 contained a write request of this parameter, it can be displayed on receipt of the response message from the wireless adapter 4 on the display unit 18 of the field device 2 confirmation that the desired writing process of the parameter has been successfully performed. These display options, which can be provided after receiving the answer telegram, are particularly possible if an operating program for the wireless adapter 4 is implemented on the field device 2.

Alternatively to the above-described triggering of communication via the operating unit 20 of the field device 2 and to send a burst telegram can also be provided that at least during the period of operation of the wireless adapter 4, the field device 2 in the system of the Field device 2 and the wireless adapter 4 in a master mode and the wireless adapter 4 in a slave mode is switchable. The switching to this mode and also the switching back can be done for example via the control unit 20 of the field device 2. By virtue of the field device 2 being in a master mode during this period of time, it can initiate communication with the wireless adapter 4 on its own initiative. In the same way as described above with regard to the triggering of a telegram via the operating unit 20, in this case the field device 2 can send on its own initiative a HART® telegram which is in each case desired by a user. Reference is made to the description above. The selection of a desired operation of the user, the display of information after receiving a corresponding response message from the wireless adapter 4 and a corresponding menu can be provided in particular on the display and control unit 16, if on the field device 2, an operating program for the wireless Adapter 4 is implemented.

Alternatively to the variants described above, in which the respective, desired by a user operation in the Wireless adapter 4 is executed directly, in which in particular a parameter to be set of the wireless adapter 4 is written directly into the wireless adapter 4, can also be provided that - before operating the wireless adapter 4 - in the field device 2, an operating program is simulated. For the simulation of the operating program, the field device 2 has a special wireless adapter offline mode, which can be selected by the user. In this wireless adapter offline mode, the user can then perform operations, in particular the setting of a parameter of the wireless adapter 4, initially offline. This can for example already be done at a time when the wireless adapter 4 is not yet connected to the field device 2. The simulated operating program preferably provides the user with the same user interface on the display and operating unit 16, which he would also be provided with an online operation. After carrying out the at least one offline operating process, the offline set data, in particular the at least one offline set parameters, are stored in the data memory 14 of the field device 2. Subsequently, this offline set data can be transferred to the wireless adapter 4, in particular, the offline set parameters can be written into the wireless adapter 4 and transferred to its data memory 32. The transmission can either be triggered by the user or it can be done automatically when the wireless adapter 4 is connected to the field device 2. The parameters to be set in the wireless adapter 4 may be, in particular, parameters relating to the operation of the wireless adapter 4 in a wireless network, such as a network key or a network ID (Network ID). These parameters can already be set in advance in the field device 2 Offline and then, when the wireless adapter 4 is connected to the field device 2, be transferred to this. In the following, with reference to FIG. 3, another Embodiment of the present invention explained. In the following, the differences compared to the methods explained with reference to FIG. 2 will be discussed. For the same components again the same reference numerals are used.

In Fig. 3, an operating device 46, which is designed as a HART® handheld, connected to the service interface 22 of the field device 2. The operating device 46 has a display 48 and a keypad 50 for operating the operating device 46. According to this embodiment of the method according to the invention, the operation of the wireless adapter 4 is not performed by the display and control unit 16 of the field device 2, as explained above with reference to FIG. 2, but it is from the HMI device 46 (via the field device 2).

In the operation of the wireless adapter 4 of the operating device 46 from the same variants, as they were explained above in an operation of the display and control unit 16, in a corresponding manner possible. In particular, the wireless adapter 4 (master) on its own initiative a telegram that is constructed in accordance with the HART® standard, via the HART® communication interface 10 of the field device 2, via the field device 2 (slave) to the HMI device 46 to display a parameter of the wireless adapter 4 on the display 48 of the operating device 46. Furthermore, the sending of a telegram, preferably a burst telegram according to the HART® standard, from the field device 2 (slave) to the wireless adapter 4 by pressing the keypad 50 of the control unit 46 can be initiated. As a further alternative, at least during the period of operation of the wireless adapter 4, the field device 2 in the system of the field device 2 and the wireless adapter 4 in a master mode and the wireless adapter 4 in a slave mode can be switched. The switching to this mode and also the switching back can be done for example via the operating device 46. Basically, it is also possible, as has been explained above with reference to FIG. 2, to simulate an operating program in the field device 2 and a Operation of the wireless adapter 4 initially made offline from the HMI device 46. Furthermore, in principle there is also the possibility that an operating program is implemented on the field device 2 in the relevant variants. Due to the generally higher processor and memory performance of an operating device, however, it is preferred that such an operating program for the wireless adapter 4 on the operating device 46 is simulated or implemented. If the operating program is simulated on the operating device 46, then the offline set data can still be stored in the data memory 14 of the field device 2 before they are transmitted to the wireless adapter 4. As has been explained in the introduction, it is also basically possible to operate the wireless adapter 4 from a higher-level unit (not shown) or from a control unit (not shown) connected to the wireless fieldbus. In this case, the required for the operation of communication from the parent unit or the HMI device via the wireless field bus to the wireless adapter 4. In the wireless adapter 4, the information received is not processed, but they are directly on the HART® communication cut Point 10 of the field device 2 forwarded to the field device 2, ie the wireless adapter forms a transparent communication channel with respect to these telegrams. From the field device 2 can then be made an operation of the wireless adapter 4. For the response telegrams that are sent from the wireless adapter 4 to the field device 2, the above-explained communication path is then traversed in the reverse direction to the higher-level unit or the HMI device. As has already been explained with reference to FIG. 3 for the operating device 46 connected to the service interface 22, it is also preferred for an operation by the higher-level unit or by the operating unit connected to the wireless field bus that the relevant variants of the invention be used Procedure an operating program for the wireless adapter 4 on the parent Unit or on the HMI device and not on the field device 2 is simulated or implemented. In the following, with reference to FIG. 2, another

Embodiment of the method according to the invention explained. In this embodiment, at least part of the parameters of the wireless adapter 4 is stored in the field device 2, in particular in the data memory 14 of the field device 2. In particular, the parameters of the wireless adapter 4, which are necessary for the operation of the wireless adapter 4 and which are necessary in particular for the operation of the wireless adapter 4 in combination with the respective field device 2, are stored in the field device 2. As a result, these parameters are available for the wireless adapter 4 directly after the wireless adapter 4 has been connected to the field device 2 (as soon as the field device 2 is sufficiently activated). These parameters are, in particular, parameters that are necessary for the operation of the wireless adapter 4 in the relevant radio network, such as a network key or a network ID (network ID). Furthermore, the parameters of the wireless adapter 4 stored in the field device 2 preferably have the parameters which are required for the operation of the wireless adapter 4 in combination with the field device 2. These field device-specific parameters can be, for example, parameters relating to a clocked mode of operation of the field device 2 (duty cycle mode) in which the field device 2 is activated by the wireless adapter 4 only at the times at which it must take a measured value. such as a minimum power supply of the field device in all modes of operation, a startup time of the field device 2 until it delivers a valid measurement, a start-up current for the field device 2 and the duration of the start-up current or a duty cycle rate, which indicates, at which intervals Furthermore, the parameters of the wireless adapter 4 stored in the field device 2 preferably have the parameters which relate to an operation of the wireless adapter 4 in the relevant radio network, such as parameters which indicate whether the wireless adapter 4 a End node without routing functionality or a routing node in the radio network forms, a setting of the radio transmission power, information regarding a priority of the transmitted data or a frequency band for the communication or an indication of unused frequency bands. Of course, the parameters of the wireless adapter 4 stored in the field device 2 can also have only a part of the above-mentioned parameters and / or even further parameters.

If the system of field device 2 and wireless adapter 4 is first put into operation, then at least the parameters of the wireless adapter 4 are stored in the wireless adapter 4, in particular in its data memory 32, which is a startup of the wireless adapter 4, enable communication of the wireless adapter 4 with the field device 2 and a power supply and a power-up of the field device 2. By virtue of these preset parameters, the starting of the wireless adapter 4 in a compatibility mode, which preferably supports various field device types, is thus made possible. As soon as the field device is sufficiently activated, in particular as soon as the field device has been sufficiently supplied with electrical power and / or its software has booted sufficiently, the step of operating the wireless adapter 4 is preferably carried out. For this purpose, the parameters of the wireless adapter 4 stored in the field device 2 are transmitted to the wireless adapter 4 and stored in its data memory 32, so that the wireless adapter 4 can be operated with these parameters. As explained above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the transmission of the parameters from the wireless adapter 4, from the display and operating unit 16 of the field device 2, from one connected to the service interface 46 of the field device 2 Operating device 46 from or even initiated by a connected to the wireless field bus parent unit or from a connected to the wireless fieldbus control unit.

The parameters of the wireless adapter 4 stored in the field device 2 form part of the field device data or field device parameters, so that access to them, in particular the setting and / or display of these parameters, can take place in the same way as is possible for the field device data or field device parameters , An access can, for example, from the display and control unit 16 of the field device 2, from a connected to the service interface 22 of the field device 2 HMI device 46, or, as indicated above, via the wireless field bus from a parent unit or a from the HMI device connected to the wireless fieldbus. For accessing the parameters of the wireless adapter 4 in the field device 2, a separate menu item ("wireless adapter parameter") can also be provided in the device software of the field device 2. By selecting this menu item, a user can then access these parameters in order to access them Preferably, a change of a parameter of the wireless adapter 4, which is stored in the field device 2, takes place by first changing the parameter stored in the field device 2. For this purpose, the access possibilities specified above are given The modified parameter is then sent from the field device 2 to the wireless adapter 4. This transmission of the changed parameter to the wireless adapter 4 can take place in particular according to the variants which are specified in the paragraph above for the transmission of the parameters after startup as with the upper 1b, an operation of the wireless adapter 4 can be carried out offline, ie the parameters of the wireless adapter 4 are initially only changed in the field device 2. The offline data are then in turn transmitted to the wireless adapter 4 at a later time. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the figures. In particular, in the under With reference to FIG. 2 explained embodiment, in which an operating program is simulated in the field device, also the possibility to start the wireless adapter first in a compatibility mode when commissioning the system of field device and wireless adapter and only then the offline set data from the field device to the wireless adapter, as explained in relation to the embodiment in which parameters of the wireless adapter are stored in the field device.

The various embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in conventional field devices in a simple manner by updating the device software of the relevant field device.

Claims

claims

1. A method for operating a system comprising a field device (2) of the process automation technology and a wireless adapter (4) which is connected to a communication interface (10) of the field device (2), characterized by the following step:

Operating the wireless adapter (4), in particular displaying and / or setting at least one parameter of the wireless adapter (4), via the field device (2).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication interface (10) is designed as a fieldbus communication interface, preferably in accordance with the HART® standard.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the step of operating the wireless adapter (4) displaying at least one parameter of the wireless adapter (4), in particular a value of the wireless adapter (4), on a display unit (18) of the field device (2).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of operating the wireless adapter (4) comprises adjusting at least one parameter of the wireless adapter (4) via an operating unit (20) of the field device (2).

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the step of operating the wireless adapter (4) from an operating device (46) which is connected to a service interface (22) of the field device (2), is carried out.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that in the system of the field device (2) and the wireless adapter (4) of the wireless adapter (4) is a master and the field device (2) is a slave in particular, for displaying at least one parameter of the wireless Adapters (4) a corresponding telegram with the at least one parameter to be displayed from the wireless adapter (4) to the field device (2) can be sent.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that in the system of the field device (2) and the wireless adapter (4) of the wireless adapter (4) is a master and the field device (2) is a slave , wherein for operating the wireless adapter (4) via an operating unit (20) of the field device (2) a corresponding telegram, which is preferably in the form of a burst telegram according to the HART® standard, initiated and by the field device (2) to the wireless adapter (4) can be sent.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least during the period of operation of the wireless adapter (4) via the field device (2) in the system of the field device (2) and the wireless adapter (4 ) the field device (2) in a master mode and the wireless adapter (4) is switchable in a slave mode.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the field device (2) an operating program for the wireless adapter (4) is implemented and by a user via the operating program, in particular by operating a display and control unit (16 ) of the field device (2), the step of operating the wireless adapter (4) is feasible.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - before operating the wireless adapter (4) - in the field device (2) an operating program is simulated by the operation of the wireless adapter (4), in particular the Setting at least one parameter of the wireless adapter (4), is simulated offline, wherein the offline set data, in particular the at least one offline set parameters, in a memory (14) of the field device (2) are stored.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a part of the parameters of the wireless adapter (4), in particular for the operation of the wireless adapter (4) necessary parameters are stored in the field device (2) and in the step of operating the wireless adapter (4) at least a portion of these stored parameters are sent to the wireless adapter (4).

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that when commissioning the system of wireless adapter (4) and field device (2) of the wireless adapter (4) is started with preset parameters and as soon as the field device (2) is sufficiently activated, the step of operating the wireless adapter (4) is performed.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that a change of a parameter of the wireless adapter (4), which is stored in the field device (2), takes place in that first of the in the field device (2) stored parameters is changed and then the changed parameter from the field device (2) to the wireless adapter (4) is sent.

14 14. Use of a field device of the process automation technology for operating a wireless adapter (4), in particular for displaying and / or setting at least one parameter of the wireless adapter (4), wherein the wireless adapter (4) to a communication interface (10) of the field device (2) is connected.

15. Field device of the process automation technology with a communication interface (10), in particular a fieldbus communication interface to which a wireless adapter (4) can be connected, characterized in that in the field device (2) parameters of the wireless adapter to be connected (4), in particular, the parameters necessary for the operation of the wireless adapter (4) in combination with the relevant field device (2) are stored.