CP0287 20-Mar-2012 RM01
CP0287 20-Mar-2012 RM01
CP0287 20-Mar-2012 RM01
Objectives
When you have completed study of this chapter, you will be able to: Describe the fundamental operation of HART Fix problems with: Cabling Configuration.
18a.1
18a.2
HART protocol
This protocol was originally developed by Rosemount and is regarded as an open standard, available to all manufacturers. Its main advantage is that it enables an instrumentation engineer to keep the existing 420 mA instrumentation cabling and to use, simultaneously,
HART overview
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the same wires to carry digital information superimposed on the analog signal. This enables most companies to capitalize on their existing investment in 420 mA instrumentation cabling and associated systems and to add further capability of HART without incurring major costs. HART is a hybrid analog and digital protocol, as opposed to most fieldbus systems, which are purely digital. The HART protocol uses the frequency shift keying (FSK) technique based on the Bell 202 communications standard. Two individual frequencies of 1200 and 2200 Hz, representing digits 1 and 0 respectively, are used (Figure 18a.1). The average value of the sine wave (at the 1200 and 2200 Hz frequencies), which is superimposed on the 420 mA signal, is zero. Hence, the 420 mA analog information is not affected.
The HART protocol can be used in three ways: 1. In conjunction with the 420 mA current signal in point-to-point mode 2. In conjunction with other field devices in multi-drop mode 3. In point-to-point mode with only one field device broadcasting in burst mode. Traditional point-to-point loops use zero for the smart device polling address. Setting the smart device polling address to a number greater than zero creates a multi-drop loop. The smart device then sets its analog output to a constant 4 mA and communicates only digitally. The HART protocol has two formats for digital transmission of data: Poll/response mode Burst (or broadcast) mode. In the poll/response mode the master polls each of the smart devices on the highway and requests the relevant information. In burst mode the field device continuously transmits process data without the need for the host to send request messages. Although this mode is fairly fast (up to 3.7 times/s), it cannot be used in multi-drop networks. The protocol is implemented with the OSI model using layers 1, 2, and 7. The actual implementation is covered in this chapter.
18a.3
Physical layer
The physical layer of the HART protocol is based on two methods of communication. Analog 420 mA Digital frequency shift keying (FSK).
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The basic communication of the HART protocol is the 420 mA current system. This analog system is used by the sensor to transmit an analog value to the HART PLC or HART card in a PC (Figure 18a.2). In a 420 mA system, the sensor outputs a current value somewhere between 4 and 20 mA that represents the analog value of the sensor. For example, a water tank that is half full say 3400 kL would put out 12 mA. The receiver would interpret this 12 mA as 3400 kL. This communication is always point-to-point, i.e. from one device to another. It is not possible to do multi-drop communication using this method alone. If two or more devices put some current on the line at the same time, the resulting current value would not be valid for either device.
18a.3.1
HART overview
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18a.3.2
The HART field controller in Figure 18a.5 is wired in series with the field device (valve positioner or other actuator). In some cases, a bypass capacitor may be required across the terminals of the valve positioner to keep the positioners series impedance below the 100 level required by HART specifications. Communications with the field controller requires the communicating device (handheld terminal or PC) to be connected across a loop impedance of at least 230 . Communications is not possible across the terminals of the valve positioner because of its low impedance (100 ). Instead, the communicating device must be connected across the transmitter or the current sense resistor.
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18a.4
Data-link layer
The data-link frame format is shown in Figure 18a.7.
Two-dimensional error checking, including vertical and longitudinal parity checks, is implemented in each frame. Each character or frame of information has the following parameters: 1 start bit 8 data bits 1 odd parity bit 1 stop bit.
18a.5
Application layer
The application layer allows the host device to obtain and interpret field device data (Figure 18a.8). There are three classes of commands: 1. Universal commands 2. Common practice commands 3. Device-specific commands. Examples of these commands are listed below.
18a.5.1
Universal commands
Read manufacturer and device type Read primary variable (PV) and units Read current output and percent of range
HART overview
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Read up to four predefined dynamic variables Read or write 8-character tag, 16-character descriptor, date Read or write 32-character message Read device range, units and damping time constant Read or write final assembly number Write polling address.
18a.5.2
18a.5.3
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18a.5.4
18a.5.5
Hardware recommendations
Minimum cable size: 24 AWG, (0.51 mm diameter) Cable type: Single-pair shielded or multiple-pair with overall shield.