Patent Application
20140098803
The embodiments described herein relate generally to wireless communications and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for communicating with nodes in wireless mesh networks.
Many known communications networks are configured as wireless mesh networks (WMNs). At least some known WMNs include a plurality of radio nodes organized in a mesh topology. Moreover, at least some known WMNs are wireless broadband networks, sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi networks, that use the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 802.16™. Some of such Wi-Fi networks may transmit large volumes of information in excess of 10 Megabits per second (Mbits/sec) and operate in frequency ranges in excess of 2.4 GigaHertz (GHz). Frequently, such Wi-Fi networks use omnidirectional antennas, directional antennas, or a combination thereof, and are known to have a relatively high rate of current consumption, e.g., in excess of 400 milliamperes (mA) per network device.
In addition, at least some known WMNs use either the ZigBee® specification, the WirelessHART™ standard, or the ISA100.11a standard, as all are based on the IEEE standard 802.15.4™ for low-rate wireless networks. However, such low-rate wireless networks generally transmit only relatively small volumes of information, e.g., approximately 250 Kilobits per second (Kbits/sec) or less. Moreover, such low-rate wireless networks operate with frequencies of approximately 2.4 GigaHertz (GHz) or less. Also, such low-rate wireless networks have a relatively low rate of current consumption as compared to the Wi-Fi networks, e.g., less than 50 mA per device. Accordingly, low-rate wireless networks are generally less complex and cost-effective substitutes for more expensive Wi-Fi networks, and are generally used in industrial facilities where network traffic is typically limited to sensor information.
Known hazardous area certifications for wireless hardware may limit the communications, display, and user interaction capabilities of the wireless hardware. Additionally, individual nodes (e.g., wireless hardware) of known WMNs may be difficult to locate in large implementations. Accordingly, an apparatus and method for interacting with, retrieving information from, and locating wireless hardware in a wireless mesh network is needed in order to enhance the functionality of the wireless mesh network.
A portable apparatus for use in a wireless mesh network includes a radio configured to transmit and receive signals to one or more network nodes coupled to a machine. The portable apparatus also includes a communication interface coupled to the radio, the communication interface being configured to be coupled to a computing device comprising a processor coupled to an input interface.
In another aspect, a monitoring system is provided. The system includes a computing device and a wireless mesh network. The wireless mesh network includes at least one network node and a portable apparatus. The portable apparatus includes a radio configured to transmit and receive signals to the at least one network node and a communication interface coupled to the radio. The communication interface is configured to be coupled to the computing device.
In yet another aspect, a method of operating a network is provided. The method includes providing a portable apparatus for use in a wireless mesh network having one or more network nodes coupled to a machine component. The apparatus includes a radio configured to transmit signals to the one or more network nodes, a communication interface coupled to the radio, and a computer device coupled to the communication interface. The method also includes manipulating the computer device to cause the radio to transmit a locator signal to the one or more network nodes. The method also includes locating the one or more network nodes based on an audible or visual cue from the one or more network nodes triggered by the locator signal.
The embodiments described herein may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In the exemplary embodiment, memory device 110 is one or more devices that enable storage and retrieval of information such as executable instructions and/or other data. Memory device 110 may include one or more computer readable media, such as, without limitation, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), a solid state disk, a hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), and/or non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types are exemplary only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memory usable for storage of a computer program.
Further, as used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable, and include any computer program stored in memory for execution by personal computers, workstations, clients and servers.
Memory device 110 may be configured to store operational measurements including, without limitation, vibration readings, field voltage and current readings, field reference setpoints, stator voltage and current readings, rotor speed readings, maintenance tasks, and/or any other type of data. In some embodiments, processor 115 removes or “purges” data from memory device 110 based on the age of the data. For example, processor 115 may overwrite previously recorded and stored data associated with a subsequent time and/or event. In addition, or alternatively, processor 115 may remove data that exceeds a predetermined time interval.
In some embodiments, computing device 105 includes a presentation interface 120 coupled to processor 115. Presentation interface 120 presents information, such as a user interface and/or an alarm, to a user 125. For example, presentation interface 120 may include a display adapter (not shown) that may be coupled to a display device (not shown), such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic LED (OLED) display, and/or an “electronic ink” display. In some embodiments, presentation interface 120 includes one or more display devices. In addition, or alternatively, presentation interface 120 may include an audio output device (not shown) (e.g., an audio adapter and/or a speaker) and/or a printer (not shown).
In some embodiments, computing device 105 includes a user input interface 130. In the exemplary embodiment, user input interface 130 is coupled to processor 115 and receives input from user 125. User input interface 130 may include, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, a mouse, a stylus, a touch sensitive panel (e.g., a touch pad or a touch screen), a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a position detector, and/or an audio input interface (e.g., including a microphone). A single component, such as a touch screen, may function as both a display device of presentation interface 120 and user input interface 130.
A communication interface 135 is coupled to processor 115 and is configured to be coupled in communication with one or more other devices, such as a sensor or another computing device 105, and to perform input and output operations with respect to such devices. For example, communication interface 135 may include, without limitation, a wired network adapter, a wireless network adapter, a mobile telecommunications adapter, a serial communication adapter, and/or a parallel communication adapter. Communication interface 135 may receive data from and/or transmit data to one or more remote devices. For example, a communication interface 135 of one computing device 105 may transmit an alarm to the communication interface 135 of another computing device 105.
Presentation interface 120 and/or communication interface 135 are both capable of providing information suitable for use with the methods described herein (e.g., to user 125 or another device). Accordingly, presentation interface 120 and communication interface 135 may be referred to as output devices. Similarly, user input interface 130 and communication interface 135 are capable of receiving information suitable for use with the methods described herein and may be referred to as input devices.
In the exemplary embodiment, network 220 is a radio mesh network, or more specifically, a low-rate wireless mesh network (WMN). Network 220 may use the ZigBee® specification (ZigBee® is a registered trademark of the ZigBee Alliance, San Ramon, Calif., U.S.A), the WirelessHART™ standard based on the Highway Addressable Remote Transducer (HART®) protocol (WirelessHART™ is a trademark and HART® is a registered trademark of the HART Communication Foundation, Austin, Tex., U.S.A.), ISA100.11a (ISA100 is a wireless system for automation developed by the International Society of Automation, Research Triangle Park, N.C.) and/or any other communications standard based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 802.15.4™ (IEEE standard 802.15.4™ is a trademark of the IEEE Standards Association, Piscataway, N.J., U.S.A). Alternatively, network 220 may use any mesh network standard, specification and/or protocol, e.g., IEEE standard 802.16™, that enables system 200 to function as described herein.
Low-rate wireless network 220 transmits relatively small volumes of information, e.g., approximately, or less than, 250 Kilobits per second (Kbits/sec) and, e.g., at a frequency of approximately, or less than, 2.4 GHz. Embodiments of network 220 may include, without limitation, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), and/or a virtual private network (VPN). While certain operations are described below with respect to particular computing devices 105, it is contemplated that any computing device 105 may perform one or more of the described operations. For example, controller 210 and controller 215 may perform all of the operations below.
Referring to
Controller 210 interacts with a first operator 225 (e.g., via user input interface 130 and/or presentation interface 120). For example, controller 210 may present information about machine 204, such as alarms, to operator 225. Facility controller 215 interacts with a second operator 230 (e.g., via user input interface 130 and/or presentation interface 120). For example, facility controller 215 may present alarms and/or maintenance tasks to second operator 230. As used herein, the term “operator” includes any person in any capacity associated with operating and maintaining facility 208, including, without limitation, shift operations personnel, maintenance technicians, and facility supervisors.
Machine 204 includes one or more monitoring sensors 235 in communication with network 220. In exemplary embodiments, monitoring sensors 235 collect operational measurements including, without limitation, vibration readings, field voltage and current readings, field reference setpoints, stator voltage and current readings, rotor speed readings, maintenance tasks, and/or any other type of data. Monitoring sensors 235 repeatedly (e.g., periodically, continuously, and/or upon request) transmit operational measurement readings at the current time. Additionally, monitoring sensors 235 may transmit a heartbeat signal to indicate an operational state (e.g., powered on, a fault condition, normal operating conditions, etc.). Such data is transmitted across network 220 and may be accessed by any device capable of accessing network 220 including, without limitation, desktop computers, laptop computers, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) (none shown). Transmissions may be selectively directed to any computing device 105 in communication with network 220, e.g., facility controller 215 or controller 210.
Facility 208 may include additional monitoring sensors (not shown) similar to monitoring sensors 235 that collect operational data measurements associated with the remainder of facility 208 including, without limitation, data from redundant machines 204 and facility environmental data, including, without limitation, local wind speed, local wind velocity, and local outside temperatures.
As shown in
According to an exemplary embodiment, a monitoring system 200 is provided, including a computing device 105 and a wireless mesh network 220. The wireless mesh network 220 includes at least one node 265 and a portable gateway apparatus 250. The portable gateway apparatus 250 includes a radio 203 configured to transmit and receive signals 205 to said at least one node 265 and a communication interface 135 coupled to said radio 203. The communication interface 135 is configured to be coupled to the computing device 105. The monitoring system 200 further includes at least one machine 204 having at least one component (not shown) such that at least one node 265 is coupled to the component. The communication interface 135 can be configured to authenticate the signals 205 using an authentication scheme of the wireless mesh network 220. The computer device 105 can include a mobile telephone, a computer, a tablet device, or a handheld data collector. The computing device 105 can enable the performance of maintenance tasks on a node 265. The computing device 105 can also enable data collection from a node 265 or location identification of a node 265. The computing device 105 can be configured to interact with a node 265 using the wireless mesh network 220. The radio 203 can be compliant the ISA100 standard of wireless communications.
According to an exemplary embodiment, a method 400 of operating a network is shown in
In contrast to known wireless mesh networks, the methods, systems, and apparatus described herein facilitate improved transmission of data. Specifically, in contrast to known wireless mesh networks, the monitoring methods, systems, and apparatus described herein facilitate the communication and interaction of a computing device with nodes in a wireless mesh network without requiring the computing device to employ a gateway in order to access the nodes. The computing device, according to an exemplary embodiment, is able to communicate directly (e.g., with an attached communication interface) through the wireless mesh network with one or more of the nodes. More specifically, in contrast to known wireless mesh networks, the monitoring methods, systems, and apparatus described herein enable maintenance to be performed on equipment associated with a node without requiring the operator to access the node from a remote location. Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment enables an operator to collect data from a particular node by communicating directly with the node through a communication interface connected to a computing device. Even furthermore, an exemplary embodiment enables a user to locate a particular node, and the piece of equipment attached to that particular node, while roaming freely in a plant environment carrying only the computing device.
The methods and systems described herein provide an efficient and cost-effective means for enabling communication between nodes in a wireless mesh network and a computing device, without the use of an intermediary gateway. As compared to known wireless mesh networks, the network and nodes described herein enable improved communication efficiency.
An exemplary technical effect of the methods, systems, and apparatus described herein includes at least one of (a) providing a portable gateway apparatus for use in a wireless mesh network having one or more nodes coupled to a machine component; (b) manipulating the computer device to cause said radio to transmit a locator signal to the one or more nodes; and (c) locating the one or more nodes based on an audible or visual cue from the one or more nodes triggered by the locator signal.
Described herein are exemplary embodiments of wireless mesh networks and monitoring systems that facilitate enabling transmission and receipt of monitoring data of systems and/or facilities. Specifically, the wireless mesh networks and monitoring systems described herein employ the ISA100 communication protocol (and other protocols) to enable communication directly between a computing device and nodes in a wireless mesh network.
The methods and systems described herein are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. For example, components of each system and/or steps of each method may be used and/or practiced independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. In addition, each component and/or step may also be used and/or practiced with other assemblies and methods.
Some embodiments involve the use of one or more electronic or computing devices. Such devices typically include a processor or controller, such as a general purpose central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microcontroller, a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic circuit (PLC), and/or any other circuit or processor capable of executing the functions described herein. The methods described herein may be encoded as executable instructions embodied in a computer readable medium, including, without limitation, a storage device and/or a memory device. Such instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform at least a portion of the methods described herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term processor.
While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
