A communication system for transferring signals between field devices and control system components, comprising: a first field linking unit electrically coupled to a plurality of first field devices (102A-102C) and operable to communicate with the plurality of first field devices (102A-102C) using a first protocol; a second field linking unit electrically coupled to a plurality of second field devices (108A-108C) and operable to communicate with the plurality of second field devices (108A-108C) using a second protocol; a first system gateway electrically coupled to a first control system component via a first communication link and operable to receive messages from at least one of the field linking units and to communicate at least some of the messages to the first control system component using a third protocol; a second system gateway electrically coupled to a second control system component via a second communication link and operable to receive messages from at least one of the field linking units and to communicate at least some of the messages to the second control system component using a fourth protocol; and a wired communication link coupling the first and second system gateways (118,120), wherein the first system gateway is configured to forward at least some of messages received from at least one of the field linking units, said messages being required by the second control system component, to the second system gateway over the wired communication link, and wherein the second system gateway is configured to forward at least some of messages received from at least one of the field linking units, said messages being required by the first control system component, to the first system gateway over the wired communication link; wherein the field linking units (104,110) and the system gateways (118,120) are operable to communicate wirelessly, the first protocol and the second protocol are different protocols, the third protocol and the fourth protocol are different protocols, the first protocol and the third protocol are related protocols, wherein the first protocol is being converted into the third protocol, and the second protocol and the fourth protocol are related protocols, wherein the second protocol is being converted into the fourth protocol. a first field linking unit electrically coupled to a plurality of first field devices (102A-102C) and operable to communicate with the plurality of first field devices (102A-102C) using a first protocol; a second field linking unit electrically coupled to a plurality of second field devices (108A-108C) and operable to communicate with the plurality of second field devices (108A-108C) using a second protocol; a first system gateway electrically coupled to a first control system component via a first communication link and operable to receive messages from at least one of the field linking units and to communicate at least some of the messages to the first control system component using a third protocol; a second system gateway electrically coupled to a second control system component via a second communication link and operable to receive messages from at least one of the field linking units and to communicate at least some of the messages to the second control system component using a fourth protocol; and a wired communication link coupling the first and second system gateways (118,120), wherein the first system gateway is configured to forward at least some of messages received from at least one of the field linking units, said messages being required by the second control system component, to the second system gateway over the wired communication link, and wherein the second system gateway is configured to forward at least some of messages received from at least one of the field linking units, said messages being required by the first control system component, to the first system gateway over the wired communication link; wherein the field linking units (104,110) and the system gateways (118,120) are operable to communicate wirelessly, the first protocol and the second protocol are different protocols, the third protocol and the fourth protocol are different protocols, the first protocol and the third protocol are related protocols, wherein the first protocol is being converted into the third protocol, and the second protocol and the fourth protocol are related protocols, wherein the second protocol is being converted into the fourth protocol.