US 12,081,640 B2
Device and method for connecting a field device to a communication system
Heinz-Peter Praske, Gladbeck (DE)
Assigned to Turck Holding Gmbh, Halver (DE)
Filed by Turck Holding GmbH, Halver (DE)
Filed on Apr. 7, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/297,221.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2022 108 807.3 (DE), filed on Apr. 12, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0328158 A1, Oct. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. H04L 69/08 (2022.01); H04L 12/40 (2006.01)
CPC H04L 69/08 (2013.01) [H04L 12/40 (2013.01); H04L 2012/40273 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for connecting a field device to a communication system, the apparatus comprising:
a field device interface configured to connect the apparatus to the field device;
a communication interface configured to connect the apparatus to the communication system;
a protocol conversion unit; and
a switching unit,
wherein the switching unit is configured to recognize, from a plurality of protocols, the protocol used by the field device when the apparatus is connected to the field device and to establish a connection between the connected field device and the communication system via the protocol conversion unit if the recognized protocol is different from the protocol used by the communication system and to establish a direct connection between the connected field device and the communication system if the recognized protocol is a same as the protocol used by the communication system,
wherein the recognized protocol is a Highway Addressable Remote Transducer (HART) protocol, wherein the switching unit is further configured to establish the connection between the connected field device and the protocol conversion unit, and wherein the protocol conversion unit further comprises a HART master device.