公开(公告)号：US08570922B2

公开(公告)日：2013-10-29

申请号：US12101043

申请日：2008-04-10

申请人： Wallace A. Pratt, Jr. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall

发明人： Wallace A. Pratt, Jr. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall

IPC分类号： H04W4/00 ,  H04L12/28

CPC分类号： H04W84/10 ,  H04L12/66 ,  H04L29/12254 ,  H04L61/2038 ,  H04L67/12 ,  H04W8/26 ,  H04W92/10

摘要： A method of providing a wireless extension to a wired protocol for transferring data to and from a field device operating in a process control environment via a wired connection, wherein the wired protocol and the wireless extension to the wired protocol have at least one protocol layer in common includes associating a unique address consistent with an addressing scheme of the wired protocol with each of a plurality of wireless devices operating in the process control environment and forming a wireless network, such that a data packet is routed between two of the plurality of wireless devices based on the unique address; associating a network identifier with the plurality of wireless devices; forming, for each of the plurality of wireless devices, a global address including the respective unique address and the network identifier in accordance with a second addressing scheme; and providing access to an external host operating outside the wireless network to each of the plurality of wireless devices based on the global address associated with the wireless device specified at the external host.

摘要翻译： 一种向有线协议提供无线扩展的方法，用于经由有线连接向在过程控制环境中操作的现场设备传送数据和从现场设备传送数据，其中有线协议和对有线协议的无线扩展具有至少一个协议层 通常包括将与有线协议的寻址方案一致的唯一地址与在过程控制环境中操作的多个无线设备中的每一个相关联并且形成无线网络，使得数据分组在多个无线设备中的两个之间路由 基于独特的地址; 将网络标识符与所述多个无线设备相关联; 根据第二寻址方案，为所述多个无线设备中的每一个形成包括相应的唯一地址和所述网络标识符的全局地址; 以及基于与在所述外部主机指定的所述无线设备相关联的全球地址，向所述多个无线设备中的每一个提供对在所述无线网络之外运行的外部主机的访问。

公开(公告)号：US08356431B2

公开(公告)日：2013-01-22

申请号：US12101074

申请日：2008-04-10

申请人： Wallace A. Pratt, Jr. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall ,  Yuri Zats ,  Terrence L. Blevins

发明人： Wallace A. Pratt, Jr. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall ,  Yuri Zats ,  Terrence L. Blevins

IPC分类号： H04J3/00

CPC分类号： H04W84/18 ,  H04J4/00 ,  H04W72/1205

摘要： A method of scheduling communications in a multi-node wireless mesh network which has a first network device and a second network device includes defining a communication timeslot of a predetermined duration, defining a first superframe having a repeating superframe cycle including a first number of the communication timeslots, defining a second superframe having a repeating superframe cycle including a second number of the communication timeslots, aligning the first superframe with the second superframe, so that one of the timeslots of the first superframe begins simultaneously with one of the timeslots of the second superframe, and associating the first and the second superframes with a network schedule, so that the first network device and the second network device transmit data according to the network schedule.

摘要翻译： 一种在具有第一网络设备和第二网络设备的多节点无线网状网络中调度通信的方法包括定义预定持续时间的通信时隙，定义具有重复超帧周期的第一超帧，所述重复超帧周期包括第一数量的通信 定义具有包括第二数量的通信时隙的重复超帧周期的第二超帧，使第一超帧与第二超帧对准，使得第一超帧的时隙之一与第二超帧的时隙之一同时开始 并且将第一和第二超帧与网络调度相关联，使得第一网络设备和第二网络设备根据网络调度来发送数据。

公开(公告)号：US08169974B2

公开(公告)日：2012-05-01

申请号：US12101011

申请日：2008-04-10

申请人： Wallace A. Pratt, Jr. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall

发明人： Wallace A. Pratt, Jr. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall

IPC分类号： H04W4/00 ,  H04J3/14 ,  H04J3/00 ,  H04J3/06

CPC分类号： G01D21/00 ,  H04W24/00 ,  H04W56/0015 ,  H04W56/002 ,  H04W80/00

摘要： A method of increasing operational safety of a wireless communication network operating in a process control environment and having a plurality of network devices includes detecting a first triggering condition associated with an increased operational risk due to a wireless transmissions by at least one of the plurality of network devices, sending a suspend command to at least some of the plurality of network devices, suspending transmissions at the at least some of the plurality of network devices; and resuming transmissions at the at least some of the plurality of network devices upon occurrence of a second triggering condition.

摘要翻译： 一种提高在过程控制环境中操作并具有多个网络设备的无线通信网络的操作安全性的方法包括：检测与由多个网络中的至少一个的无线传输引起的增加的操作风险相关联的第一触发条件 向所述多个网络设备中的至少一些发送挂起命令，在所述多个网络设备中的所述至少一些网络设备中暂停传输; 以及当发生第二触发条件时在所述多个网络设备中的所述至少一些网络设备上恢复传输。

公开(公告)号：US20090010204A1

公开(公告)日：2009-01-08

申请号：US12101049

申请日：2008-04-10

申请人： Wallace A. Pratt, JR. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall

发明人： Wallace A. Pratt, JR. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall

IPC分类号： H04Q7/00

CPC分类号： G01D21/00 ,  H04W24/00 ,  H04W56/0015 ,  H04W56/002 ,  H04W80/00

摘要： A method of efficiently operating a wireless communication network in a process control environment, such that the wireless communication network includes a plurality of field devices, includes defining a communication protocol for supporting wireless communications between pairs of the plurality of field devices, including providing a set of protocol commands, transferring process control data from at least some of the plurality of field devices using a first subset of the set of protocol commands of the communication protocol, and transferring network management data to at least some of the plurality of field devices using a second subset of the set of protocol commands of the communication protocol.

摘要翻译： 一种在过程控制环境中有效地操作无线通信网络的方法，使得无线通信网络包括多个现场设备，包括定义用于支持多个现场设备的成对之间的无线通信的通信协议，包括提供一组 使用所述通信协议的协议命令集合的第一子集来传送来自所述多个现场设备中的至少一些现场设备的过程控制数据，以及使用以下步骤将网络管理数据传送到所述多个现场设备中的至少一些： 通信协议的协议命令集合的第二子集。

公开(公告)号：US08230108B2

公开(公告)日：2012-07-24

申请号：US12101071

申请日：2008-04-10

申请人： Wallace A. Pratt, Jr. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall ,  Yuri Zats ,  Terrence L. Blevins

发明人： Wallace A. Pratt, Jr. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall ,  Yuri Zats ,  Terrence L. Blevins

IPC分类号： G06F15/16 ,  G06F12/00

CPC分类号： H04L12/66 ,  H04L45/22 ,  H04L45/34 ,  H04L45/42 ,  H04L45/44 ,  H04W40/22 ,  Y02D70/1222 ,  Y02D70/142 ,  Y02D70/144 ,  Y02D70/22 ,  Y02D70/39

摘要： A method of routing a data packet between a first node and a second node on a communication network includes defining a first graph through the first node and the second node and zero or more intermediate nodes, associating several nodes which belong to the communication network with the first graph, associating a first unique graph identifier with the first graph and providing at least partial definitions of the first graph and the first unique identifier to at least some of the nodes associated with the first graph. The method then sends data packet with the graph identifier from the first node, and directs the data packet to the second node via the zero or more intermediate nodes using the graph identifier. This method may include forwarding the packet to a neighbor node of an intermediate node if the intermediate node and the neighbor node are nodes associated with the first graph and if the intermediate node and the neighbor node are connected by at least one direct communication connection.

摘要翻译： 在通信网络上的第一节点和第二节点之间路由数据分组的方法包括通过第一节点和第二节点以及零个或多个中间节点定义第一图，将属于通信网络的几个节点与 第一图，将第一唯一图标识符与第一图相关联，并且将第一图和第一唯一标识符的至少部分定义提供给与第一图相关联的至少一些节点。 然后，该方法从第一节点发送具有图形标识符的数据分组，并且使用图形标识符经由零个或多个中间节点将数据分组引导到第二节点。 如果中间节点和相邻节点是与第一图相关联的节点，以及中间节点和邻居节点是否通过至少一个直接通信连接连接，则该方法可以包括将分组转发到中间节点的邻居节点。

公开(公告)号：US20110302635A1

公开(公告)日：2011-12-08

申请号：US13209572

申请日：2011-08-15

申请人： Wallace A. Pratt, JR. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tom Phinney ,  Tomas P. Lennvall ,  Yuri Zats ,  Rick Enns

发明人： Wallace A. Pratt, JR. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tom Phinney ,  Tomas P. Lennvall ,  Yuri Zats ,  Rick Enns

IPC分类号： G06F17/30

CPC分类号： G01D21/00 ,  H04W24/00 ,  H04W56/0015 ,  H04W56/002 ,  H04W80/00

摘要： A method of enhancing security in a wireless mesh communication network operating in a process control environment and including a plurality of wireless network devices includes processing a join request from a wireless device wishing to join the wireless mesh communication network, providing a limited network functionality to the wireless device if the join request is granted, requesting a complete approval of the wireless device; and granting a full network functionality to the wireless device if the complete approval of the wireless device is received.

摘要翻译： 一种增强在过程控制环境中操作并且包括多个无线网络设备的无线网状通信网络中的安全性的方法包括处理来自希望加入无线网状通信网络的无线设备的加入请求，向 无线设备，如果加入请求被授权，请求无线设备的完全批准; 以及如果接收到所述无线设备的完全许可，则向所述无线设备授予完整的网络功能。

公开(公告)号：US20090052429A1

公开(公告)日：2009-02-26

申请号：US12101005

申请日：2008-04-10

申请人： Wallace A. Pratt, JR. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall ,  Yuri Zats

发明人： Wallace A. Pratt, JR. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall ,  Yuri Zats

IPC分类号： H04J3/06

CPC分类号： G01D21/00 ,  H04W24/00 ,  H04W56/0015 ,  H04W56/002 ,  H04W80/00

摘要： A method for synchronizing communications in wireless mesh network operating in a process control environment and including a plurality of network devices includes defining a communication timeslot of a predetermined duration, wherein each of the plurality of network devices transmits or receives data only within the communication timeslot generating a network schedule including at least one superframe having repeating superframe cycles each having a number of communication timeslots sequentially numbered relative to a beginning of each cycle, the number of communication timeslots defining a length of the at least one superframe, maintaining an absolute slot number indicative of a number of communication timeslots scheduled since a start time of the wireless network, synchronizing each of the plurality of network devices with respect to a timing of an individual communication timeslot, and synchronizing each of the plurality of network devices with the network schedule based on the absolute slot number.

摘要翻译： 一种在过程控制环境中操作并包括多个网络设备的无线网状网络中的通信同步的方法包括：定义预定持续时间的通信时隙，其中，所述多个网络设备中的每一个仅在所述通信时隙内产生或接收数据 网络调度包括至少一个具有重复超帧周期的超帧，每个超帧具有相对于每个周期的开始顺序编号的多个通信时隙，定义所述至少一个超帧的长度的通信时隙的数量，维持绝对时隙号指示 从无线网络的开始时间安排的多个通信时隙中的多个网络设备中的每一个相对于各个通信时隙的定时同步，并且基于多个网络设备中的每一个基于 绝对 ollot槽号。

公开(公告)号：US20090046675A1

公开(公告)日：2009-02-19

申请号：US12101074

申请日：2008-04-10

申请人： Wallace A. Pratt, JR. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall ,  Yuri Zats ,  Terrence L. Blevins

发明人： Wallace A. Pratt, JR. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall ,  Yuri Zats ,  Terrence L. Blevins

IPC分类号： H04J3/00

CPC分类号： H04W84/18 ,  H04J4/00 ,  H04W72/1205

摘要： A method of scheduling communications in a multi-node wireless mesh network which has a first network device and a second network device includes defining a communication timeslot of a predetermined duration, defining a first superframe having a repeating superframe cycle including a first number of the communication timeslots, defining a second superframe having a repeating superframe cycle including a second number of the communication timeslots, aligning the first superframe with the second superframe, so that one of the timeslots of the first superframe begins simultaneously with one of the timeslots of the second superframe, and associating the first and the second superframes with a network schedule, so that the first network device and the second network device transmit data according to the network schedule.

摘要翻译： 一种在具有第一网络设备和第二网络设备的多节点无线网状网络中调度通信的方法包括定义预定持续时间的通信时隙，定义具有重复超帧周期的第一超帧，所述重复超帧周期包括第一数量的通信 定义具有包括第二数量的通信时隙的重复超帧周期的第二超帧，使第一超帧与第二超帧对准，使得第一超帧的时隙之一与第二超帧的时隙之一同时开始 并且将第一和第二超帧与网络调度相关联，使得第一网络设备和第二网络设备根据网络调度来发送数据。

公开(公告)号：US20080274766A1

公开(公告)日：2008-11-06

申请号：US12100986

申请日：2008-04-10

申请人： Wallace A. Pratt ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall

发明人： Wallace A. Pratt ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall

IPC分类号： H04M1/00

CPC分类号： G01D21/00 ,  H04W24/00 ,  H04W56/0015 ,  H04W56/002 ,  H04W80/00

摘要： A method of providing a wireless extension to a plant automation network connected to a plurality of wired devices, each wired device performing a process control function, includes connecting a plurality of wireless devices to the plant automation network, each of the plurality of wireless devices adapted to communicate with at least another one of the plurality of wireless devices via at least one respective wireless connection; and providing access to each of the plurality of wireless devices from a host disposed in the plant automation network, such that the host accesses the plurality of wired devices and the plurality of wireless devices using a common communication scheme.

摘要翻译： 将连接到多个有线设备的工厂自动化网络提供无线扩展的方法，每个有线设备执行过程控制功能，包括将多个无线设备连接到所述工厂自动化网络，所述多个无线设备中的每一个适配 经由至少一个相应的无线连接与所述多个无线设备中的至少另一个通信; 以及从设置在所述工厂自动化网络中的主机提供对所述多个无线设备中的每一个的访问，使得所述主机使用公共通信方案来访问所述多个有线设备和所述多个无线设备。

公开(公告)号：US08942219B2

公开(公告)日：2015-01-27

申请号：US12101049

申请日：2008-04-10

申请人： Wallace A. Pratt, Jr. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall

发明人： Wallace A. Pratt, Jr. ,  Mark J. Nixon ,  Eric D. Rotvold ,  Robin S. Pramanik ,  Tomas P. Lennvall

IPC分类号： H04W4/00 ,  G01D21/00 ,  H04W24/00 ,  H04W80/00

CPC分类号： G01D21/00 ,  H04W24/00 ,  H04W56/0015 ,  H04W56/002 ,  H04W80/00

摘要： A method of efficiently operating a wireless communication network in a process control environment, such that the wireless communication network includes a plurality of field devices, includes defining a communication protocol for supporting wireless communications between pairs of the plurality of field devices, including providing a set of protocol commands, transferring process control data from at least some of the plurality of field devices using a first subset of the set of protocol commands of the communication protocol, and transferring network management data to at least some of the plurality of field devices using a second subset of the set of protocol commands of the communication protocol.

摘要翻译： 一种在过程控制环境中有效地操作无线通信网络的方法，使得无线通信网络包括多个现场设备，包括定义用于支持多个现场设备的成对之间的无线通信的通信协议，包括提供一组 使用所述通信协议的协议命令集合的第一子集来传送来自所述多个现场设备中的至少一些现场设备的过程控制数据，以及使用以下步骤将网络管理数据传送到所述多个现场设备中的至少一些： 通信协议的协议命令集合的第二子集。