Patent ID: 6742136
Filing Date: 2004-05-25
Classification: G05B,G06F

Abstract:
A process control system for communications in a process control network having a plurality of devices each having a unique address, the process control system comprising:a process control network bus; a primary redundant device having a first unique address communicatively linked to the process control network bus and programmed to publish messages on the process control network bus including a virtual publishing address; a secondary redundant device having a second unique address communicatively linked to the process control network bus and programmed to publish messages on the process control network bus including the virtual publishing address; and at least one receiving device communicatively linked to the process control network bus and programmed to process messages published on the process control network bus containing the virtual publishing address; wherein the primary redundant device operates in an active mode whereby the primary redundant device transmits messages on the process control network bus for the at least one receiving device, and the secondary redundant device operates in a backup mode whereby the secondary device does not transmit messages on the process control network bus.