Introduction - SMAR LD400WH Operation And Maintenance Manual

Introduction

INTRODUCTION
WirelessHART technology overview
The WirelessHART technology is based on a wireless mesh network communication protocol used
in process automation applications. It adds wireless capabilities to the HART protocol, while
maintaining compatibility with existing HART devices, commands and already known and used
tools.
WirelessHART network
Basically, a WirelessHART network, defined in the HART specifications, consists of a host, a
WirelessHART Gateway and one or more field devices and/or WirelessHART adapters. Together
they compose a mesh network where the host and devices can communicate.
Host
The host, usually connected to the control network, is a workstation in which, e.g., can be installed
an Human Machine Interface application, which allows an operator to interact with the process.
Through the WirelessHART Gateway, the host can gather data from devices connected to the
WirelessHART network. The host communicates with the WirelessHART Gateway using a
communication protocol, for example, HSE, H1, Profibus or Modbus.
WirelessHART Gateway
It is a "translator" equipment. Thus, it converts data from the host to the WirelessHART protocol,
used by the devices connected to the WirelessHART network, and converts data from the devices to
the host. In general, the WirelessHART Gateway incorporates the features of Network Manager and
Access Point. Roughly, the access point can be understood as the WirelessHART radio installed at
the gateway to communicate with devices connected to the wireless network.
Network Manager
The Network Manager is an application that can be embedded in the WirelessHART Gateway. On a
WirelessHART network is only allowed to have one Network Manager. Among its responsibilities,
the Network Manager distributes network identity (advertisement) publishing its existence, manages
and authenticates the addition (joining) of devices to the network. It also distributes individual
security keys (static or rotating) to the devices to ensure secure communication between it and the
devices. The Network Manager assigns communication band to the devices already connected to
VI