Patent ID: 7454553
Filing Date: 2008-11-18
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A field device comprising: a Fieldbus communication module operably coupleable to a Fieldbus process communication loop; a power module coupleable to the Fieldbus process communication loop, the power module being configured to wholly power the field device with energy received from the Fieldbus process communication loop; a controller coupled to the Fieldbus communication module and the power module; a plurality of terminals operably coupled to the power module and coupleable to a second, non-Fieldbus process communication loop, to provide electrical energy over the second, non-Fieldbus process communication loop; and an energy storage device operably coupled to the controller and configured to provide a power level to the second, non-Fieldbus process communication loop that is greater than steady-state excess energy available on the Fieldbus process communication loop.