Inventors:
Alexander Johnson - Houston TX, US
Paul C. Badavas - Southboro MA, US
T. Eric Christiansen - Fall River MA, US
Peter D. Hansen - Wellesley MA, US
Thomas B. Kinney - Franklin MA, US
Seyamak Keyghobad - Marion MA, US
Bo Ling - Sharon MA, US
Richard L. Thibault - Plainville MA, US
Assignee:
Invensys Systems, Inc. - Foxboro MA
International Classification:
G05B 19/42
US Classification:
700 89, 700 1, 700 2, 700 18, 700 19, 700 86, 717 5, 717 6, 717 10, 717 11, 709220, 709223, 709224
Abstract:
The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an “intelligent” transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e. g. , for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.