Embodiments of a method and a system, which is configured to implement the method, to process data from one or more valve assemblies found e.g., on a process line. These embodiments can generate a listing that identifies how network/system bandwidth is allocated for the collection of data from the valve assemblies. The embodiments can also process the data to re-arrange the valve assemblies in the listing to better allocate the network/system bandwidth to certain ones of the valve assemblies that require more data to properly assess the operation of the valve assembly. In this way, further diagnostics using the data can identify any changes in operation of the valve assemblies that might be detrimental to the valve assembly and/or the process line in general.

The present disclosure describes systems and methods for data collection in an industrial environment having self-organization functionality. A method can include analyzing a plurality of sensor inputs, sampling data received from the sensor inputs, and self-organizing at least one of (i) a storage operation of the data, (ii) a collection operation of sensors that provide the plurality of sensor inputs, and (iii) a selection operation of the plurality of sensor inputs. The method may further include receiving instructions directing a mobile data collector unit to operate sensors at a target, transmitting a communication to one or more other mobile data collector units regarding the instructions, and self-organizing a distribution of the mobile data collector unit.

Monitoring systems and methods for data collection in an industrial environment are described. A system can include a first and second data collector coupled to input channels and a data acquisition circuit to interpret detection values corresponding to the input channels, wherein the sensor data is acquired from a first route of input channels. A data storage may store sensor specifications for sensors corresponding to the input channels and a data analysis circuit may evaluate the sensor data with respect to stored anticipated state information including an alarm threshold level. When the threshold is exceeded, a communication circuit communicates with a second data collector which transmits a state message related to a first input channel. A response circuit changes a routing of the input channels from a first routing to an alternate routing based on the state message from the second data collector.

A method for commissioning and maintenance of a sensor and a measuring transducer includes detecting an identity of the sensor and the measuring transducer, retrieving information from a data storage device with reference to the previously detected identities and the information relates to an operation of the sensor 1 and the measuring transducer, determining with reference to the previously retrieved information whether the sensor and the measuring transducer are configured for a cooperative operation, outputting the result of the determination via a graphic display.

Methods for data monitoring with changeable routing of input channels are disclosed. An example method includes a data collector communicatively coupled to a plurality of input channels and a data acquisition circuit to interpret the detection values, each corresponding to an input channel. Sensor data is acquired from a first route of input channels and stored together with specifications for the sensors that correspond to the input channels. The sensor data is evaluated with respect to an alarm threshold level and an alarm state set when the alarm threshold level is exceeded. A response circuit changes a routing of the input channels for data collection from a first routing to an alternate routing of input channels, wherein the alternate routing of input channels comprise the first input channel and a group of input channels related to the first input channel.

Systems for data collection in an industrial environment are disclosed. A system may include a sensor communication circuit to interpret a plurality of sensor data values, a sensor data storage profile circuit to determine a data storage profile, the data storage profile comprising a data storage plan for the plurality of sensor data values. A system may also include a network coding circuit to provide a network coding value in response to the plurality of sensor data values and the data storage profile, and a sensor data storage implementation circuit to store at least a portion of the plurality of sensor data values in response to the data storage profile and the network coding value.

A system is provided to conduct communication in a facility with equipment in hazardous and safe areas. The system includes at least one field device in a hazardous area of the facility; one or more controllers, located in a safe area of the facility, for managing the at least one field device; and a field barrier, between the safe and hazardous areas, to limit at least electrical energy, which is supplied to the at least one device, at or below an electrical energy threshold in the hazardous area. The system also includes a bus system to supply electrical energy across the field barrier to the at least one field device using electrical wiring and to enable communication between the at least one field device and the one or more controllers across the field barrier using one or more fiber optic cables.

A device for securely operating a field device includes: the field device, which includes at least one human-machine interface having a display device and a keyboard for operating the field device, and a communications interface for connecting a local operating device having a secure connection to a trusted server via a communications network, the secure connection being based upon an authentication feature of a local operator. The field device during use as intended does not have a secure connection to a network for process control. The field device provides and stores a query key. The field device is connected, at least logically, to the local operating device. The trusted server has a private key for providing a signed response key. The signed response key is based upon the query key.

The present disclosure describes monitoring systems and methods for data collection in an industrial environment. A system can include a data collector and a data acquisition circuit to interpret a plurality of detection values corresponding to input channels, wherein the data acquisition circuit acquires sensor data from a first route of input channels. A data storage stores sensor specifications for sensors and a data analysis circuit evaluates the sensor data with respect to the stored anticipated state information including an alarm threshold level. The data analysis circuit sets an alarm state when the alarm threshold level is exceeded for a first input channel and transmits the alarm state to a routing control facility. A response circuit changes the routing of the input channels to an alternate routing upon reception of a routing change indication from the routing control facility.

A method for storing data for at least one of a device state, device diagnosis and calibration of a field device in a cloud, with the field device having a self-monitoring functionality. The method includes device-internal registering of first data for at least one of a device state, device diagnosis and calibration by the field device and transfer of the device-internally registered first data from the field device to the cloud. Moreover, the method includes registering second data for at least one of a device state, device diagnosis and calibration of the field device using an external service computer and transferring the second data from the external service computer to the cloud. Both the first data as well as also the second data are stored in the cloud.