About the HART Protocol

The HART Protocol was developed in the mid-1980s by Rosemount Inc. for use with a range of smart measuring instruments. Originally proprietary, the protocol was soon published for free use by anyone, and in 1990 the HART User Group was formed. In 1993, the registered trademark and all rights in the protocol were transferred to the HART Communication Foundation (HCF). The protocol remains open and free for all to use without royalties. This section focuses on providing information that is relevant to the various aspects of the HART Protocol. We will discuss what it is, how it works, and the benefits of using the HART Protocol.

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 420mA.

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 Configuration

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.

Figure 5. Multidrop Configuration

Benefits of Using HART Communication

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 multivendor 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 990+ registered devices in 20 device categories manufactured by 230+ members of the HART Communication Foundation.
Types of HART-enabled Devices Device Category No. of Companies No. of Devices Actuator 2 9 Analytical 29 152 Calibrator 4 6 Control 3 6 DCS 4 4 Density 5 5 Development Services & Tools 8 25 Flow 24 159 Handheld 8 9 I/O System 11 32 IS Barrier 7 25 Isolators (IS) 5 46 Level 34 153 Modem 8 15 Modem IC (chips) 1 3 Loop monitor 3 6 Multiplexer / Gateway 7 7 Positioners - Valve 16 47 Pressure Transmitters 37 110 Software 14 25 Total 238 990

Hart 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.

WirelessHART Technology
WirelessHART technology provides a robust wireless protocol for the full range of process measurement, control, and asset management applications. Based on the proven and familiar HART Communication Protocol,WirelessHART enables users to quickly and easily gain the benefits of wireless technology while maintaining compatibility with existing devices, tools, and systems.

The HART Communication Foundation, its member companies and the industry leaders developed WirelessHART technology to meet the unique requirements of wireless networks operating in process plants. Key Capabilities:

Reliability even in the presence of interference, thanks to technology like mesh networking, channel hopping, and time-synchronized messaging. WirelessHART coexistence with other wireless networks is assured. Security and privacy for network communications through encryption, verification, authentication, key management, and other open industry-standard best practices. Effective power management through Smart Data Publishing and other techniques that make batteries, solar and other low-power options practical for wireless devices.

Wireless HART - How it works

WirelessHART is a wireless mesh network communications protocol for process automation applications. It adds wireless capabilities to the HART Protocol while maintaining compatibility with existing HART devices, commands, and tools. Each WirelessHART network includes three main elements:

Wireless field devices connected to process or plant equipment. This device could be a device with WirelessHART built in or an existing installed HART-

enabled device with a WirelessHART adapter attached to it. Gateways enable communication between these devices and host applications connected to a highspeed backbone or other existing plant communications network. A Network Manager is responsible for configuring the network, scheduling communications between devices, managing message routes, and monitoring network health. The Network Manager can be integrated into the gateway, host application, or process automation controller.

The network uses IEEE 802.15.4 compatible radios operating in the 2.4GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical radio band. The radios employ direct-sequence spread spectrum technology and channel hopping for communication security

and reliability, as well as TDMA synchronized, latencycontrolled communications between devices on the network. This technology has been proven in field trials and real plant installations across a broad range of process control industries. Each device in the mesh network can serve as a router for messages from other devices. In other words, a device doesn't have to communicate directly to a gateway, but just forward its message to the next closest device. This extends the range of the network and provides redundant communication routes to increase reliability. The Network Manager determines the redundant routes based on latency, efficiency and reliability. To ensure the redundant routes remain open and unobstructed, messages continuously alternate between the redundant paths. Consequently, like the Internet, if a message is unable to reach its destination by one path, it is automatically rerouted to follow a known-good, redundant path with no loss of data. The mesh design also makes adding or moving devices easy. As long as a device is within range of others in the network, it can communicate. For flexibility to meet different application requirements, the WirelessHART standard supports multiple messaging modes including one-way publishing of process and control values, spontaneous notification by exception, ad-hoc request/response, and auto-segmented block transfers of large data sets. These capabilities allow communications to be tailored to application requirements thereby reducing power usage and overhead.