Patent ID: 8112565

Claim:
A multi-protocol interface for coupling a field device to a general purpose computer, the interface comprising: a connector module wirelessly coupled to the general purpose computer; a plurality of process communication terminals coupled to a process communication loop; a first protocol interface module coupled to the plurality of process communication terminals and configured to communicate in accordance with a first protocol; a second protocol interface module coupled to the plurality of process communication terminals and configured to communicate in accordance with a second protocol different from the first protocol; loop measurement circuitry operably coupled to the process communication terminals; and a microprocessor coupled to the first and second protocol interface modules and coupled to the measurement circuitry, the microprocessor determining a process communication loop type based at least in part upon a plurality of loop-related measurements made by the measurement circuitry when a process communication loop is coupled to the process communication terminals; and wherein the multi-protocol interface is configured to provide a loop type suggestion to a user in accordance with the process communication loop type, and wherein a protocol interface module having a protocol that matches the determined process communication loop type is engaged for communication only if the user acquiesces to the suggestion.