HART Overview

The majority of smart field devices installed worldwide today are HART-enabled. But some new in the
automation field may need a refresher on this powerful technology.

Simply put, the HART (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) Protocol is the global standard for
sending and receiving digital information across analog wires between smart devices and control or
monitoring system.

More specifically, HART is a bi-directional communication protocol that provides data access between
intelligent field instruments and host systems. A host can be any software application from technician's
hand-held device or laptop to a plant's process control, asset management, safety or other system
using any control platform.

A DIGITAL UPGRADE FOR EXISTING PLANTS

HART technology offers a reliable, long-term solution for plant operators who seek the benefits of
intelligent devices with digital communication that is included in the majority of the devices being
installed. In many cases however, most applications cannot retrofit their existing automation systems
with a system that can accept the digital data which is provided by the HART Protocol.

Because most automation networks in operation today are based on traditional 4-20mA analog wiring,
HART technology serves a critical role because the digital information is simultaneously communicated
with the 4-20mA signal. Without it, there would be no digital communication.

A CRITICAL, DIGITAL ROLE

HART technology is easy to use and very reliable when used for commissioning and calibration of
smart devices as well as for continuous online diagnostics.

There are several reasons to have a host communicate with smart devices. These include:

Device Configuration or re-configuration

Device Diagnostics

Device Troubleshooting

Reading the additional measurement values provided by the device

Device Health and Status

Much more: There are many benefits of using HART technology, and more users are reporting
benefits in their projects on a continual basis.

Years of success using these benefits explain why HART technology is the largest of all communication
protocols, installed in more than 30 million devices worldwide.
If you've ever used a land-line telephone and noticed the Caller ID display to take note of who is
calling, you already know half of what the HART Protocol doesit tells "who" is calling. In an industrial
automation network "who" is a microprocessor-based smart field device. In addition to letting such
smart field devices "phone home," HART Communication lets a host system send data to the smart
instrument.

HART emerged in the late1980s based on the same technology that brought Caller ID to analog
telephony. It has undergone continued development, up to and including automation products now
shipping with built-in WirelessHART Communication.

How HART Works

HART is an acronym for Highway Addressable Remote Transducer. The HART Protocol makes use of
the Bell 202 Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) standard to superimpose digital communication signals at a
low level on top of the 4-20mA.

Figure 1. Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)

This enables two-way field communication to take place and makes it possible for additional
information beyond just the normal process variable to be communicated to/from a smart field
instrument. The HART Protocol communicates at 1200 bps without interrupting the 4-20mA signal and
allows a host application (master) to get two or more digital updates per second from a smart field
device. As the digital FSK signal is phase continuous, there is no interference with the 4-20mA signal.

HART technology is a master/slave protocol, which means that a smart field (slave) device only speaks
when spoken to by a master. The HART Protocol can be used in various modes such as point-to-point or
multidrop for communicating information to/from smart field instruments and central control or
monitoring systems.

HART Communication occurs between two HART-enabled devices, typically a smart field device and a
control or monitoring system. Communication occurs using standard instrumentation grade wire and
using standard wiring and termination practices.

The HART Protocol provides two simultaneous communication channels: the 4-20mA analog signal and
a digital signal. The 4-20mA signal communicates the primary measured value (in the case of a field
instrument) using the 4-20mA current loop - the fastest and most reliable industry standard. Additional
device information is communicated using a digital signal that is superimposed on the analog signal.

The digital signal contains information from the device including device status, diagnostics, additional
measured or calculated values, etc. Together, the two communication channels provide a low-cost and
very robust complete field communication solution that is easy to use and configure.

Figure 2. Two Communication Channels

The HART Protocol provides for up to two masters (primary and secondary). This allows secondary
masters such as handheld communicators to be used without interfering with communications to/from
the primary master, i.e. control/monitoring system.
 Figure 3. Primary and Secondary Masters

The HART Protocol permits all digital communication with field devices in either point-to-point or
multidrop network configurations:
 Figure 4. Point-to-Point Config

uration

Multidrop Configuration

There is also an optional "burst" communication mode where a single slave device can continuously
broadcast a standard HART reply message. Higher update rates are possible with this optional burst
communication mode and use is normally restricted to point-to-point configuration.

Benefits of Using HART

Engineers operating in analog automation environments no longer need utter the words "if only" as in
"if only I could get the device information without going into the field" or if only I could get this
configuration information from that pressure transmitter into my PC."

Users worldwide who have realized the benefits of HART Communication know that they can gain
quick, easy visibility to devices in the field when using HART-enabled handheld test, calibration devices
and portable computers. In fact, device testing, diagnostics and configuration has never been easier!
However, many have yet to realize HART technologys greatest benefits which come from full-time
connections with real-time asset management and/or control systems.

HART technology can help you:

Leverage the capabilities of a full set of intelligent device data for operational improvements.

Gain early warnings to variances in device, product or process performance.

Speed the troubleshooting time between the identification and resolution of problems.

Continuously validate the integrity of loops and control/automation system strategies.

Increase asset productivity and system availability.

Increase Plant Availability

Integrate devices and systems for detection of previously undetectable problems.

Detect device and/or process connection problems real time.

Minimize the impact of deviations by gaining new, early warnings.

Avoid the high cost of unscheduled shutdowns or process disruptions.

Reduce Maintenance Costs

Quickly verify and validate control loop and device configuration.

Use remote diagnostics to reduce unnecessary field checks.

Capture performance trend data for predictive maintenance diagnostics.

Reduce spares inventory and device management costs.

Improve regulatory compliance

Enable automated record keeping of compliance data.

Facilitates automated safety shutdown testing.

Raise SIL/safety integrity level with advanced diagnostics.

Take advantage of intelligent multivariable devices for more thorough, accurate reporting.
The standard features of HART technology range from simple compatibility with existing 4-20mA
analog networks to a broad product selection:

Compatibility with standard 4-20mA wiring

Simultaneous transmission of digital data

Simplicity through intuitive menu-driven interfaces

Risk reduction through a highly accurate and robust protocol

Ease of implementation for maximum up-front cost effectiveness

Broad product selection, with compatible devices and software applications from most process
automation providers

Platform independence for full interoperability in multi-vendor environments

Worldwide support by leading suppliers

Most of the worlds leading process instrumentation and control system suppliers, comprising most of
the industrys solutions, actively support HART technology. There are 1300+ registered devices in 24
device categories manufactured by 300+ members of the HART Communication Foundation.

Types of HART-enabled Devices

Device Category No. of Devices
Actuator 11
Analytical 267
Calibrator 8
Consistency 2
Control 12
DCS 6
Density 12
Development Services & Tools 30
Flow 228
Handheld 13
I/O System 46
IS Barrier 25
Isolator 47
Level 217
Loop Monitor 4
Modem 30
Modem IC (chips) 8
Multiplexer / Gateway 16
Positioners - Valve 77
Pressure Transmitters 140
Software 35
Temperature 116
WirelessHART Adapter 11
WirelessHART Gateway 9

For a complete list by Manufacturer or Category, see our Product Catalog.

HART Protocol Specifications

The HART Protocol was developed in the late 1980's and transferred to the HART Foundation in the
early 1990's. Since then it has been updated several times. When the protocol is updated, it is updated
in a way that ensures backward compatibility with previous versions. The current version of the HART
Protocol is revision 7.3. The "7" denotes the major revision level and the "3" denotes the minor revision
level.

The HART Protocol implements layers 1,2, 3, 4 and 7 of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) 7-layer
protocol model:

The HART Physical Layer is based on the Bell 202 standard, using frequency shift keying (FSK) to
communicate at 1200 bps. The signal frequencies representing bit values of 0 and 1 are 2200 and
1200Hz respectively. This signal is superimposed at a low level on the 4-to-20mA analog measurement
signal without causing any interference with the analog signal.

The HART Data Link Layer defines a master-slave protocol - in normal use, a field device only replies
when it is spoken to. There can be two masters, for example, a control system as a primary master and
a handheld HART communicator as a secodary master. Timing rules define when each master may
initiate a communication transaction. Up to 15 or more slave devices can be connected to a single
multidrop cable pair.

The Network Layer provides routing, end-to-end security, and transport services. It manages
"sessions" for end-to-end communication with correspondent devices.

The Transport Layer: The Data-Link Layer ensures communications are successfully propagated from
one device to another. The Transport Layer can be used to ensure end-end communication is
successful.

The Application Layer defines the commands, responses, data types and status reporting supported
by the Protocol. In the Application Layer, the public commands of the protocol are divided into four
major groups:

1. Universal Commands - provide functions which must be implemented in all field devices

2. Common Practice Commands - provide functions common to many, but not all field devices
 3. Device Specific Commands - provide functions that are unique to a particular field device and
are specified by the device manufacturer

4. Device Family Commands - provide a set of standardized functions for instruments with
particular measurement types, allowing full generic access without using device-specific
commands.

HART Commands
The HART Protocol is a master-slave communication protocol which means that during normal
operation, each slave (a field device) communication is initiated by a request (or command) from the
master (host) communication device. The master or host is generally a distributed control, PLC, or PC-
based asset management system for example. The slave device is typically a field measurement
device such as pressure, level, temperature, flow or other transmitters.

In order to make certain any HART-enabled device from any supplier can communicate properly and
respond to a command with the correct information, the set and types of commands are defined in the
HART Specifications and implemented in all HART registered devices.

Users need not worry about these commands because they are included in the functions of the host.
The specific capabilities of a device (device specific commands) are available to the host when the
host is given the instructions included in the Device Description (DD) of a specific device.

An important point is that defined device status indications are included with each communication
response to the host. The host then interprets these status indicators and may provide basic device
diagnostic information.

The HART Command Set provides uniform and consistent communication for all field devices. Host
applications may implement any of the necessary commands for a particular application. The
command set includes three classes:

Universal
All devices using the HART Protocol must recognize and support the universal commands. Universal
commands provide access to information useful in normal operations (e.g., read primary variable and
units).

Common Practice
Common Practice commands provide functions implemented by many, but not necessarily all, HART
Communication devices.

Device Specific
Device Specific commands represent functions that are unique to each field device. These commands
access setup and calibration information, as well as information about the construction of the device.
Information on Device Specific commands is available from device manufacturers.

A Partial List of HART Commands:

Common Practice
Universal Commands Device Specific Commands
Commands

Read manufacturer and Read selection of up to Read or write low-flow

device type four dynamic variables cut-off

Read primary variable (PV) Write damping time Start, stop, or clear
and units constant totalizer

Read current output and Write device range Read or write density
percent of range values calibration factor

Read up to four pre-defined Calibrate (set zero, set Choose PV (mass, flow,
dynamic variables span) or density)

Read or write eight- Set fixed output current Read or write materials
character tag, 16-character or construction
descriptor, date Perform self-test information

Read or write 32-character Perform master reset Trim sensor calibration

message
Trim PV zero PID enable
Read device range values,
units, and damping time Write PV unit Write PID set point
constant

Trim DAC zero and gain Valve characterization

Read or write final
assembly number Valve set point
Write transfer function
 Write polling address (square root/linear) Travel limits

Write sensor serial User units

number
Local display
Read or write dynamic information
variable assignments