What is HART Protocol?

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 or Handheld communicators.

More specifically, HART is a bi-directional communication protocol

that provides data access between intelligent field instruments and
host systems (DCS/PLC or Handheld Communicator). 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.

HART Technology

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
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 does—it 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 Wireless HART 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.
Frequency Shift Keying

The HART communication protocol is based on the Bell 202 telephone

communication standard and operates using the frequency shift
keying (FSK) principle. The digital signal is made up of two frequencies
— 1,200 Hz and 2,200 Hz representing bits 1 and 0, respectively. Sine
waves of these two frequencies are superimposed on the direct
current (dc) analog signal cables to provide simultaneous analog and
digital communications. Because the average value of the FSK signal is
always zero, the 4–20 mA analog signal is not affected. The digital
communication signal has a response time of approximately 2–3 data
updates per second without interrupting the analog signal. A
minimum loop impedance of 230 W is required for communication.

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.

HART Networks
HART devices can operate in one of two network configurations—
point-to point or multidrop.

POINT-TO-POINT

In point-to-point mode, the traditional 4–20 mA signal is used to

communicate one process variable, while additional process variables,
configuration parameters, and other device data are transferred
digitally using the HART protocol (Figure 2). The 4–20 mA analog
signal is not affected by the HART signal and can be used for control
in the normal way. The HART communication digital signal gives
access to secondary variables and other data that can be used for
operations, commissioning, maintenance, and diagnostic purposes.
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.
The HART Protocol permits all digital communication with field
devices in either point-to-point or multidrop network configurations:

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.

The multidrop mode of operation requires only a single pair of wires

and, if applicable, safety barriers and an auxiliary power supply for up
to 15 field devices. All process values are transmitted digitally. In
multidrop mode, all field device polling addresses are >0, and the
current through each device is fixed to a minimum value (typically 4
mA).

Communication Modes

1. Master Slave Mode

HART is a master-slave communication protocol, which means that
during normal operation, each slave (field device) communication is
initiated by a master communication device. Two masters can connect
to each HART loop. The primary master is generally a distributed
control system (DCS), programmable logic controller (PLC), or a
personal computer (PC). The secondary master can be a handheld
terminal or another PC. Slave devices include transmitters, actuators,
and controllers that respond to commands from the primary or
secondary master

2. Burst Mode

Some HART devices support the optional burst communication mode.

Burst mode enables faster communication (3–4 data updates per
second). In burst mode, the master instructs the slave device to
continuously broadcast a standard HART reply message (e.g., the value
of the process variable). The master receives the message at the higher
rate until it instructs the slave to stop bursting.

DEVICE DESCRIPTION

Some HART host applications use device descriptions (DD) to obtain

information about the variables and functions contained in a HART
field device. The DD includes all of the information needed by a host
application to fully communicate with the field device. HART Device
Description Language (DDL) is used to write the DD, that combines all
of the information needed by the host application into a single
structured file. The DD identifies which common practice commands
are supported as well as the format and structure of all device-specific
commands. A DD for a HART field device is roughly equivalent to a
printer driver for a computer. DDs eliminate the need for host
suppliers to develop and support custom interfaces and drivers.
A DD provides a picture of all parameters and functions of a device in
a standardized language. HART suppliers have the option of supplying
a DD for their HART field product. If they choose to supply one, the
DD will provide information for a DD-enabled host application to read
and write data according to each device’s procedures.

DD source files for HART devices resemble files written in the C

programming language. DD files are submitted to the HCF for
registration in the HCF DD Library. Quality checks are performed on
each DD submitted to ensure specification compliance, to verify that
there are no conflicts with DDs already registered, and to verify
operation with standard HART hosts. The HCF DD Library is the central
location for management and distribution of all HART DDs to facilitate
use in host applications such as PCs and handheld terminals.

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 technology’s 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
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.
Advanced HART Application

The power of the HART protocol is evident in the control diagram of

Below Figure. This innovative application uses the inherent feature of
the HART protocol that both 4-20 mA analog and digital
communication signals are transmitted simultaneously over the same
wiring.

In this application, the HART-compatible transmitter has an internal

PID control capability. The device is configured such that the 4-20 mA
loop current is proportional to the control output of the PID algorithm
executing in the device (not the measured variable as in most
transmitter applications). Since the 4-20 mA loop current is regulated
by the PID control output, it is used to drive the valve position directly.
The control loop executes entirely in the field between the transmitter
(with PID) and the control valve. The control action is continuous as
the traditional 4-20 mA analog signal drives the valve. HART digital
communication links the operator with the control loop to change set
point, and read the primary variable, or valve position output.
Substantial savings are possible in applications where this innovative
control architecture is appropriate.