Patent attributes
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.
