A method for providing galvanic isolation between an input or trunk interface (30) and multiple outputs or spur interfaces (38) for connecting field devices (14) to a trunk (20) of a two-wire (44a, 44b) process control network (10) includes connecting multiple sets of multiple spur interfaces to respective isolating elements (34). Each isolating element (34) connects a respective set of outputs or spur interfaces (38) to the trunk interface (30) and galvanically isolates (40, 42) the respective set of spur interfaces (38) from the trunk interface (30). Field devices (14) attached to different sets of spur interfaces are also galvanically isolated from one another.

It is provided to implement a different number of logical slaves in a field device for use in an AS interface network as a function of the assigned address, which slaves may be addressed using the assigned address in the standard or in the expanded addressing mode. Thus, in a field device, it is possible to provide slaves having different profiles, via which different data types may be exchanged. Furthermore, a method is provided, with which a field device having different slaves is able to be addressed in a simple manner while avoiding double addressing.

Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to augment process control with a virtual assistant. An example apparatus includes at least one processor and memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to determine a process control context based on a request for information associated with a field device of a process control system, the process control context based on a configuration of the process control system, identify a topic included in the request, the topic corresponding to the field device based on the process control context, map the topic to an action to be executed by the field device, generate a command to direct the field device to execute the action based on the mapping, and transmit the command to the field device to execute the action.

An Ethernet I/O card (EIOC) scanner device facilitates configuration of a process control system to enable improved integration of EIOC-enabled field devices (and associated field device variables) into the process control system. Specifically, the EIOC scanner may: (i) analyze decoder files for EIOC-enabled field devices to automatically identify field device variables that the EIOC-enabled field devices are configured to transmit or receive; and (ii) quickly and easily facilitate a configuration of the process control system to integrate into the process control system the EIOC-enabled field devices and any associated field device variables identified by the EIOC scanner.

Disclosed is a field device adapter for wireless data transfer for connection to a field-device-internal interface provided for a display, comprising: an interface for connection to the field-device-internal interface; a radio module configured to wirelessly transmit a data packet on a low-power wide-area network, wherein the radio module is further configured to only transmit the data packet and not to receive any data packets; adapter electronics configured to limit an energy provided via the field-device-internal interface to a predefined value and to charge a stored energy source with the limited energy. The adapter electronics are further configured to monitor a state of charge of the stored energy source and, based on the state of charge, to provide the radio module with an energy originating from the stored energy source for transmitting the data packet.

A system, device, and method for managing connections in an industrial installation are described. The system includes one or more field devices, one or more automation devices, and a self-configurable device. The self-configurable device is adapted to dynamically configure, based on type of the one or more field devices and the one or more automation devices, such that the self-configurable device manages a connection between the one or more field devices and the one or more automation devices. The self-configurable device is adapted to calibrate one or more field devices and manage automation functions in the industrial installation.

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.

Disclosed is a field detection device designed to be connected to at least one access point of a fieldbus network via at least one interface. The field detection device is designed to initiate or execute, for each of at least two connection protocols, an associated query in at least one fieldbus segment of the fieldbus network and to detect which field devices and fieldbus components in said at least one fieldbus segment can be accessed via the connection protocol in question. Furthermore, the field detection device is designed to provide a connection directory in which at least one connection protocol is specified for each field device and for each fieldbus component of a set of field devices and fieldbus components of the at least one fieldbus segment, by means of which connection protocol the field device in question or the fieldbus component in question can be accessed.

An Ethernet I/O card (EIOC) scanner device facilitates configuration of a process control system to enable improved integration of EIOC-enabled field devices (and associated field device variables) into the process control system. Specifically, the EIOC scanner may: (i) analyze decoder files for EIOC-enabled field devices to automatically identify field device variables that the EIOC-enabled field devices are configured to transmit or receive; and (ii) quickly and easily facilitate a configuration of the process control system to integrate into the process control system the EIOC-enabled field devices and any associated field device variables identified by the EIOC scanner.

A system and method for connecting a process controller to one or more peer devices includes providing a process controller interface for bidirectional communication; using a peer device interface for bidirectional OPC UA communication with the peer devices; and providing a logic unit that determines one or more to-be-performed actions from the one or more inputs according to a predetermined logic; determines, according to the predetermined logic, one or more outputs which, when supplied to the process controller, and/or to the peer devices, cause the to-be-performed actions to be performed; and supply these outputs to the process controller, and/or to the one or more peer devices.