A field device includes components to communicate with a control and/or asset management system of a process control system or with other field devices using any of several different communication protocols such as several different internet protocol (IP) protocols. This architecture allows for a single version of a field device to be provided in automation or plant control systems that use any of these communication protocols, thus saving on inventory and product development costs. Moreover, the multi-protocol field device or a system using the multi-protocol field device can manage the asset (read and write parameterized data from and to the asset) using one protocol while at the same time communicating real-time process/factory automation information using a second and different protocol. Moreover, the field device may be able to communicate to other devices including other field devices and host devices using both of these protocols or other protocols for different purposes.

A field device includes components to communicate with a control and/or asset management system of a process control system or with other field devices using any of several different communication protocols such as several different internet protocol (IP) protocols. This architecture allows for a single version of a field device to be provided in automation or plant control systems that use any of these communication protocols, thus saving on inventory and product development costs. Moreover, the multi-protocol field device or a system using the multi-protocol field device can manage the asset (read and write parameterized data from and to the asset) using one protocol while at the same time communicating real-time process/factory automation information using a second and different protocol. Moreover, the field device may be able to communicate to other devices including other field devices and host devices using both of these protocols or other protocols for different purposes.

An automation field device comprises at least four connection pins for connecting the field device; a field device electronics adapted, in a first operating state, to provide a 4-20 mA signal via a first and second connection pin , in a second operating state, to be supplied with a supply voltage via the first and a third connection pin and via a fourth connection pin to enable an IO-Link communication or to provide a first switch output and supplementally to provide a second switch output on the second connection pin, and, in a third operating state, to be supplied with the supply voltage via the first and third connection pins and via the fourth connection pin to enable the IO-Link communication or to provide the first switch output and supplementally to provide a 4-20 mA current output on the second connection pin.

A field device includes components to communicate with a control and/or asset management system of a process control system or with other field devices using any of several different communication protocols such as several different internet protocol (IP) protocols. This architecture allows for a single version of a field device to be provided in automation or plant control systems that use any of these communication protocols, thus saving on inventory and product development costs. Moreover, the multi-protocol field device or a system using the multi-protocol field device can manage the asset (read and write parameterized data from and to the asset) using one protocol while at the same time communicating real-time process/factory automation information using a second and different protocol. Moreover, the field device may be able to communicate to other devices including other field devices and host devices using both of these protocols or other protocols for different purposes.

A portable field maintenance tool may perform one or more tasks, such as communicating with a field device, powering a field device, diagnosing a field device, or diagnosing a communication link in a plant environment to which a field device is connected. The portable field maintenance tool may interact with field devices configured according to a number of different communication protocols, such as the HART protocol and the Fieldbus protocol. The portable field maintenance tool may be energy limited and fault tolerant, and may operate in compliance with Intrinsic Safety standards, enabling use of the portable field maintenance tool in hazardous areas.

An industrial controller that controls operation of an industrial system. The industrial controller comprises a processor and a memory storing instruction, wherein the instructions cause the processor to perform certain functions. In particular, the instructions cause the processor to communicate high speed data in a first industrial protocol between the industrial controller and a high speed device during a first frame section but not during a second frame section of a controller frame of the industrial controller and communicate linking device data in a second industrial protocol between the industrial controller and a linking device during the second frame section but not during the first frame section or during the third frame section of the controller frame.

An industrial controller that controls operation of an industrial system. The industrial controller comprises a processor and a memory storing instruction, wherein the instructions cause the processor to perform certain functions. In particular, the instructions cause the processor to communicate high speed data in a first industrial protocol between the industrial controller and a high speed device during a first frame section but not during a second frame section of a controller frame of the industrial controller and communicate linking device data in a second industrial protocol between the industrial controller and a linking device during the second frame section but not during the first frame section or during the third frame section of the controller frame.

A field device includes components to communicate with a control and/or asset management system of a process control system or with other field devices using any of several different communication protocols such as several different internet protocol (IP) protocols. This architecture allows for a single version of a field device to be provided in automation or plant control systems that use any of these communication protocols, thus saving on inventory and product development costs. Moreover, the multi-protocol field device or a system using the multi-protocol field device can manage the asset (read and write parameterized data from and to the asset) using one protocol while at the same time communicating real-time process/factory automation information using a second and different protocol. Moreover, the field device may be able to communicate to other devices including other field devices and host devices using both of these protocols or other protocols for different purposes.

A motor controller including a communication port and a computing device coupled to the communication port is described. The computing device is capable of communicating using a plurality of communication protocols and is configured to detect that an external device has connected to the communication port. The computing device is further configured to identify a first communication protocol used by the external device, wherein the first communication protocol is one of the plurality of communication protocols, and communicate with the external device using the first communication protocol.

A portable field maintenance tool may perform one or more tasks, such as communicating with a field device, powering a field device, diagnosing a field device, or diagnosing a communication link in a plant environment to which a field device is connected. The portable field maintenance tool may interact with field devices configured according to a number of different communication protocols, such as the HART protocol and the Fieldbus protocol. The portable field maintenance tool may be energy limited and fault tolerant, and may operate in compliance with Intrinsic Safety standards, enabling use of the portable field maintenance tool in hazardous areas.