Importance

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Abstract

A wireless bridge device disposed within a process control system provides wireless communication between multiple devices within the process control system, such as between field devices, control units, user terminals, controllers, etc. In one embodiment, a process control system disposed within an industrial process environment includes a first process control device, a bridge device, a plurality of field devices disposed within the industrial process environment and a hardwired communication link disposed between the bridge device and each of the plurality of field devices. A wireless communication network including a first wireless transceiver located at the first process control device and a second wireless transceiver disposed at the bridge device enables the bridge device to operate to relay signals sent over the hardwired communication link from any of the plurality of field devices to the first process control device using the wireless communication network and to operate to relay signals sent over the wireless communication network from the first process control device to one or more of the plurality of field devices using the hardwired communication link.

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First Claim