HART Communication

CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION

The HART Communications Protocol (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) is

an early implementation of Fieldbus, a digital industrial automation protocol. Its most notable
advantage is that it can communicate over legacy 4-20mA analog instrumentation wiring,
sharing the pair of wires used by the older system. According to Emerson, due to the huge
installed base of 4–20 mA systems throughout the world, the HART Protocol is one of the
most popular industrial protocols today. HART protocol has made a good transition protocol
for users who were comfortable using the legacy 4–20 mA signals, but wanted to implement a
"smart" protocol. Industries seem to be using Profibus DP/PA and Foundation field bus (also
by Rosemount) more as users become familiar with later technology and look to take
advantage of the enhanced diagnostics they can provide.

Field networks are not the only solution when plant operators want to use the
advantages of smart field devices. The HART protocol provides many possibilities even for
installations that are equipped with the conventional 4 to 20 mA technique. HART devices
communicate their data over the transmission lines of the 4 to20 mA system. This enables the
field devices to be parameterized and started up in a flexible manner or to read measured and
stored data (records).

All these tasks require field devices based on microprocessor technology. These
devices are frequently called smart devices. Introduced in 1989; this protocol has proven
successful in many industrial applications and enables bidirectional communication even in
hazardous environments. HART allows the use of up to two masters: the engineering console
in the control room and a second device for operation on site, e.g. a PC laptop or a handheld
terminal.

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HART Communication

CHAPTER-2

How Hart Works

“HART” is an acronym for Highway Addressable Remote Transducer. The HART

Protocol makes use of the Bell 202 Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) standard to superimpose
digital communication signals at a low level on top of the 4-20mA.

Fig2.1. Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)

This enables two-way field communication to take place and makes it possible for
additional information beyond just the normal process variable to be communicated to/from a
smart field instrument. The HART Protocol communicates at 1200 bps without interrupting
the 420mA signal and allows a host application (master) to get two or more digital updates per
second from a smart field device. As the digital FSK signal is phase continuous, there is no
interference with the 4-20mA signal.

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HART technology is a master/slave protocol, which means that a smart field (slave) device
only speaks when spoken to by a master. The HART Protocol can be used in various modes
such as point-to-point or multidrop for communicating information to/from smart field
instruments and central control or monitoring systems.

HART Communication occurs between two HART-enabled devices, typically a smart field
device and a control or monitoring system. Communication occurs using standard
instrumentation grade wire and using standard wiring and termination practices.

The HART Protocol provides two simultaneous communication channels: the 4-20mA analog
signal and a digital signal. The 4-20mA signal communicates the primary measured value (in
the case of a field instrument) using the 4-20mA current loop - the fastest and most reliable
industry standard. Additional device information is communicated using a digital signal that is
superimposed on the analog signal.

The digital signal contains information from the device including device status, diagnostics,
additional measured or calculated values, etc. Together, the two communication channels
provide a low-cost and very robust complete field communication solution that is easy to use
and configure.

Fig2.2. Two Communication Channels

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The HART Protocol provides for up to two masters (primary and secondary). This allows
secondary masters such as handheld communicators to be used without interfering with
communications to/from the primary master, i.e. control/monitoring system.

Fig 2.3 Primary and Secondary Masters

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CHAPTER-3

Connecting HART Devices

Devices which support the HART protocol are grouped into master (host) and slave (field)
devices. Master devices include handheld terminals as well as PC-based work places, e.g. in
the control room. HART slave devices, on the other hand, include sensors, transmitters and
various actuators. The variety ranges from two-wire and four-wire devices to intrinsically safe
versions for use in hazardous environments.

The HART data is superimposed on the 4 to 20 mA signal via a FSK modem. This enables the
devices to communicate digitally using the HART protocol, while analog signal transmission
takes place at the same time
.
Field devices and compact handheld terminals have an integrated FSK modem, whereas PC
stations have a serial interface to connect the modem externally. Fig. 3.1 shows a typical
connection scheme of a HART host device and a HART field device. HART communication
is often used for such simple point-to-point connections. Nevertheless, many more connection
variants are possible.

In extended systems, the number of accessible devices can be increased by using a

multiplexer. In addition to that, HART enables the networking of devices to suit special
applications. Network variants include multidrop, FSK bus and networks for split-range
operation.

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HART Communication

Fig3.1Connection of HART Master devices

3.1 Point-to-point connection:

The HART communication shown in Fig. 3.2 is referred to as point-to-point connection, i.e.
the HART master device is connected to exactly one HART field device. This connection
variant requires that the device address of the field device be always set to zero since the

operating program uses this address to establish communication.

Fig3.2 Point to Point connection

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3.2 Multiplexer :

Fig. 3.3 shows the use of a multiplexer system, which enables a large number of HART
devices to be connected in a network. The user selects a particular current loop for
communication via the operating program. As long as the communication takes place, the
multiplexer connects the current loop to the host. Due to the cascaded multiplexer structure,
the host can communicate with many (> 1000) devices, all with the address zero.

Fig 3.3 HART communication via multiplexer

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3.3 Multidrop Configuration:

There is also an optional "burst" communication mode where a single slave device can
continuously broadcast a standard HART reply message. Higher update rates are possible with
this optional burst communication mode and use is normally restricted to point-to-point
configuration.

Fig 3.4. Multidrop Configuration

3.4 Bus for split-range operation :

There are special applications which require that several usually two actuators receive the
same control signal. A typical example is the split-range operation of control valves. One
valve operates in the nominal current range from 4 to 12 mA, while the other one uses the
range from 12 to 20 mA. In split-range operation, the control valves are connected in series in
the current loop. When both valves have a HART interface, the HART host device must be
able to distinguish with which valve it must communicate. To achieve this, the HART protocol

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HART Communication

revision 6 (anticipated for autumn 1999) and later will be extended by one more network
variant. As is the case for multidrop mode, each device is assigned to an address from 1 to 15.
The analog 4 to 20 mA signal preserves its device-specific function, which is, for control
valves, the selection of the required travel. To be able to use HART communications also for
such applications as the split-range operation, the HART positioned from SAMSON always
takes the analog current signal as a reference variable, independent of the device address (Fig.
3.4).

Fig 3.5 Split-range operation with two HART positioners

3.5 FSK bus:

The HART Protocol makes use of the Bell 202 Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) standard to
superimpose digital communication signals at a low level on top of the 4-20mA.

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HART Communication

Fig 3.6. Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)

This enables two-way field communication to take place and makes it possible for
additional information beyond just the normal process variable to be communicated to/from a
smart field instrument. The HART Protocol communicates at 1200 bps without interrupting
the 4-20mA signal and allows a host application (master) to get two or more digital updates
per second from a smart field device. As the digital FSK signal is phase continuous, there is no
interference with the 4-20mA signal.

3.6 Higher-level communication systems:

To be able to connect a HART communication system with other communication

systems, gateways are used. They convert the respective protocols of the networks to be
coupled. HART protocol Field bus protocol In most cases, when complex communication
tasks must be solved, field bus systems would be the preferred choice anyway. Even without
complex protocol conversions,

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HART Communication

CHAPTER-4

HART Communication layers

Fig 4.1 HART protocol implementing the OSI model

The HART protocol utilizes the OSI reference model. As is the case for most of the
communication systems on the field level, the HART protocol implements only the layers 1, 2
and 7 of the OSI model. The layers 3 to 6 remain empty since their services are either not
required or provided by the application layer 7 (see Fig. 4.1).

4.1 Coding:

Data transmission between the masters and the field devices is physically realized by
superimposing an encoded digital signal on the 4 to 20 mA current loop. Since the coding has
no mean values, an analog signal transmission taking place at the same time is not affected.

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HART Communication

This enables the HART protocol to include the existing simplex channel transmitting the
current signal (analog control device, field device) and an additional half-duplex channel for
communication in both directions.

Fig 4.2 HART signal superimposed on the analog current signal

The bit transmission layer defines an asynchronous half-duplex interface which operates on
the analog current signal line. To encode the bits, the FSK method (Frequency Shift Keying)
based on the Bell 202 communication standard is used. The two digital values .0. and .1. are
assigned to the following frequencies.
Logical 0: 2200Hz
Logical 1: 1200Hz
Each individual byte of the layer-2 telegram is transmitted as eleven-bit UART character at a
data rate of 1200 bits/sec.The HART specification defines that master devices send voltage
signals, while the field devices (slaves) convey their messages using load-independent
currents. The current signals are converted to voltage signals at the internal resistance of the
receiver (at its load). To ensure a reliable signal reception, the HART protocol specifies the
total load of the current loop . Including the cable resistance to be between minimum 230

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HART Communication

ohms and maximum 1100 ohms. Usually, the upper limit is not defined by this specification,
but results from the limited power output of the power supply unit. The HART masters are
simply connected in parallel to the field devices (e.g. Fig. 4.1), so the devices can be
connected and disconnected during operation because the current loop need not be interrupted.

4.2 Wiring:

HART wiring in the field usually consists of twisted pair cables. If very thin and/or
long cables are used, the cable resistance increases and, hence, the total load. As a result, the
signal attenuation and distortion increases while the critical frequency of the transmission
network decreases. For trouble-free transmission, the cables must have a sufficient cross
section and an appropriate length. If interference signals are a problem, long lines must be
shielded. The signal loop and the cable shield should be grounded at one common point only.
According to the specification, the following configurations work reliably:
(1).For short distances, simple unshielded 0.2 mm2 two-wire lines are sufficient.
(2).For distances of up to 1,500 m, individually twisted 0.2 mm² wire pairs with a common
shield over the cable should be used.
(3).For distances of up to 3,000 m, individually twisted 0.5 mm2 two-wire lines shielded in
pairs are required. Most of the wiring in the field meets these requirements and can therefore
be used for digital communication.

4.3 Plug connectors:

An essential benefit is that HART integrates the existing wires. So the HART
specification does not prescribe the use of a specific type of plug connector. Since the polarity
has no influence on the frequency evaluation, HART signals are usually connected via simple

clamp terminals.

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HART Communication

4.4 HART-compatible features:

HART communication between two or more devices can function properly only when
all communication participants are able to interpret the HART sine wave signals correctly. To
ensure this, not only the transmission lines must fulfill certain requirements (see above), also
the devices in the current loop which are not part of the HART communication can impede or
even prevent the transmission of the data
.
The reason is that the inputs and outputs of these devices are specified only for the 4 to
20 mA technology. Since the input and output resistances change with the signal frequency,
such devices are likely to short-circuit the higher frequency HART signals (1200 to 2200 Hz).
Inputs and outputs with an internal resistance that falls below the FSK frequency range short-
circuit the HART signals.To prevent this, the internal resistance must be increased using an
additional circuit. The RC low pass (250 W, 1 mF) performs this function.

Fig 4.3 Controller output must not short circuit the HART signal

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HART Communication

However, a disadvantage is that the serial resistance must additionally be powered by

the controller.

When using the specially designed HART box, the additional load can be reduced by
one fifth to 50 W. If this value is still too high, either a signal amplifier more a controller with
higher power output must be installed. Load to be powered by the controller:
RC low pass: 250 W + line resistance + load of field device
HART box: 50 W + line resistance + load of field device

Fig4.4 Hart transaction: data exchange between master and slave

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HART Communication

CHAPTER-5
Services of layer 2

5.1 Access control:

The HART protocol operates according to the master-slave method. Any

communication activity is initiated by the master, which is either a control station or an
operating device. HART accepts two masters, the primary master , usually the control system
and the secondary master , a PC laptop or handheld terminal used in the field. HART field
devices , the slaves , never send without being requested to do so. They respond only when
they have received a command message from the master. Once a transaction, i.e. a data
exchange between the control station and the field device, is complete, the master will pause
for a fixed time period before sending another command, allowing the other master to break
in. The two masters observe a fixed time frame when taking turns communicating with the
slave devices.

5.2 Communication services:

The HART protocol provides standard and broadcast command

Figure 5.1HART communication modes

The simplest form of a transaction is a master telegram which is directly followed by a

response or acknowledgement telegram from the slave (Fig. 6.4). This communication mode is

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HART Communication

used for the normal data exchange. When connection is established, the HART command 11
can be used to send a broadcast message to all devices to check the system configuration.
Some HART devices support the optional burst communication mode. A single field device
cyclically sends message telegrams with short 75-ms breaks, which can alternately be read by
the primary as well as the secondary master. While usually only two transactions per second
are possible, the field device can send up to four telegrams using this method.

5.3 Telegram structure:

The structure of a HART telegram is shown in Fig. 5.2. Each individual byte is send as
11-bit UART character equipped with a start, a parity and a stop bit. In the revision 5 and later,
the HART protocol provides two telegram formats which use different forms of addressing. In
addition to the short frame slave address format containing four bits, a long frame address
format has been introduced as an alternative. This allows more participants to be integrated,
while achieving more safety in case of incorrect addressing during transmission failures.

The elements of the HART telegram perform the following tasks: The preamble
consisting of three or more hexadecimal FF characters synchronizes the signals of the
participants. The start byte indicates which participant is sending (master, slave, slave in burst
mode) and whether the short frame or the long frame format is used.

The address field of the short frame format contains one byte (Fig. 5.3) with one bit
serving to distinguish the two masters and one bit to indicate burst-mode telegrams. For the
addressing of the field devices, 4 bits are used (addresses 0 to 15). The address field of the
long frame format contains five bytes, hence, the field device is identified using 38 bits. The
command byte encodes the master commands of the three categories, Universal, Common
practice and Device-specific commands. The significance of these commands depends on the
definitions in the application layer 7.
The byte count character indicates the message length, which is necessary since the
number of data bytes per telegram can vary from 0 to 25. This is the only way to enable the

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recipient to clearly identify the telegram and the checksum. The number of bytes depends on
the sum of the status and the data bytes.

Fig5.2 Structure and elements of a HART telegram

The two status bytes are included only in reply messages from slaves and contain bit
coded information. They indicate whether the received message was correct and the
operational state of the field device. When the field device operates properly, both status bytes
are set to logical zero. The data can be transmitted as unsigned integers, floating-point
numbers or ASCII coded character strings. The data format to be used is determined by the
command byte, however, not all commands or responses contain data.

Fig5.3 Short frame and long frame HART address formats

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HART Communication

5.4 Noise immunity:

During operation the communication participants can be added or removed without

endangering the components of the other devices or disrupting their communication. For
interferences that can be coupled into the transmission lines, the HART specification demands
class 3 noise immunity according to IEC 801-3 and-4. So general noise immunity
requirements are met. Further protection mechanisms to detect errors in the communication
are implemented in the different communication layers. On the lower levels, the UART and
the longitudinal parity check reliably detect up to three corrupted bits in the transmitted
telegram (Hamming distance HD=4). Errors occurring on higher levels, such as HART
commands that cannot be interpreted and device failures, are indicated by the slave upon each
transaction using the status bytes reserved for this purpose. Polling at regular intervals enables
the master device to know the state of all connected communication participants and to react
as requested by the user or the operating program.

5.5Transmission time and user data rate:

The time required to transmit a telegram results from the bit data rate (1200Hz) and the
number of bits per telegram. The length of the telegram varies depending on the message
length . 0 to 25 characters . and the message format. When a short frame format is used and the
message contains 25 characters, a total of 35 characters must be transmitted. Since each byte is
transmitted as UART character, we obtain the following data:

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HART Communication

Fig 5.4 Transmission time of a HART telegram.

5.6 HART Commands:

The HART Protocol is a master-slave communication protocol which means that

during normal operation, each slave (a field device) communication is initiated by a request
(or command) from the master (host) communication device. The master or host is generally a
distributed control, PLC, or PC-based asset management system for example. The slave device
is typically a field measurement device such as pressure, level, temperature, flow or other
transmitters.
.
Users need not worry about these commands because they are included in the functions
of the host. The specific capabilities of a device (device specific commands) are available to
the host when the host is given the instructions included in the Device Description (DD) of a
specific device.
An important point is that defined device status indications are included with each
communication response to the host. The host then interprets these status indicators and may
provide basic device diagnostic information.

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HART Communication

The HART Command Set provides uniform and consistent communication for all field
devices. Host applications may implement any of the necessary commands for a particular
application. The command set includes three classes:

Universal:

All devices using the HART Protocol must recognize and support the universal
commands. Universal commands provide access to information useful in normal operations
(e.g., read primary variable and units).

Common Practice:

Common Practice commands provide functions implemented by many, but not

necessarily all, HART Communication devices.

Device Specific:

Device Specific commands represent functions that are unique to each field device.
These commands access setup and calibration information, as well as information about the
construction of the device. Information on Device Specific commands is available from device
manufacturers.

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HART Communication

CHAPTER-6

Wireless HART

As the need for additional process measurements increases, users seek a simple, reliable,
secure and cost-effective method to deliver new measurement values to control systems
without the need to run more wires. With process improvements, plant expansions, regulatory
requirements and safety levels demands for additional measurements, users are looking to
wireless technology for that solution.

With approximately 30 million HART devices installed and in service worldwide, HART
technology is the most widely used field communication protocol for intelligent process
instrumentation. With the additional capability of wireless communication, the legacy of
benefits this powerful technology provides continues to deliver the operational insight users
need to remain competitive.

6.1 Wireless HART - How it works:

Wireless HART is a wireless mesh network communications protocol for process

automation applications. It adds wireless capabilities to the HART Protocol while maintaining
compatibility with existing HART devices, commands, and tools can be integrated into the
gateway, host application, or process automation controller.

Each Wireless HART network includes three main elements:

1. Wireless field devices connected to process or plant equipment. This device could be a
device with Wireless HART built in or an existing installed. HART-enabled device
with a Wireless HART adapter attached to it.
2. Gateways enable communication between these devices and host applications
connected to a high-speed backbone or other existing plant communications network.

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HART Communication

3. A Network Manager is responsible for configuring the network, scheduling

communications between devices, managing message routes, and monitoring network
health. The Network Manager can be integrated into the gateway, host application, or
process automation controller.

Fig 6.1 wire less hart

The network uses IEEE 802.15.4 compatible radios operating in the 2.4GHz Industrial,
Scientific, and Medical radio band. The radios employ direct-sequence spread spectrum
technology and channel hopping for communication security and reliability, as well as TDMA
synchronized, latency-controlled communications between devices on the network. This
technology has been proven in field trials and real plant installations across a broad range of
process control industries.

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HART Communication

Each device in the mesh network can serve as a router for messages from other
devices. In other words, a device doesn't have to communicate directly to a gateway, but just
forward its message to the next closest device. This extends the range of the network and
provides redundant communication routes to increase reliability.

The Network Manager determines the redundant routes based on latency, efficiency
and reliability. To ensure the redundant routes remain open and unobstructed, messages
continuously alternate between the redundant paths. Consequently, like the Internet, if a
message is unable to reach its destination by one path, it is automatically message is unable to
reach its destination by one path, it is automatically re-routed to follow a known-good,
redundant path with no loss of data.

The mesh design also makes adding or moving devices easy. As long as a device is
within range of others in the network, it can communicate.

For flexibility to meet different application requirements, the Wireless HART standard
supports multiple messaging modes including one way publishing of process and control
values, spontaneous notification by exception, ad-hoc request/response, and auto-segmented
block transfers of large data sets. These capabilities allow communications to be tailored to
application requirements thereby reducing power usage and overhead.

CONCLUSION & FUTURE SCOPE:

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CONCLUSION:

HART protocol provides a unique communication solution that is backward

compatible with the installed base of instrumentation in use today. This backward
compatibility ensures that investments in existing cabling and current control strategies will
remain secure well into the future. The HART Communication protocol is based on the BELL
202 telephone communication standard and operates using the Frequency Shift Keying
principle. The digital signal is made up of two frequencies-1200 Hz and 2200 Hz representing
bits 1 and 0, respectively.

 It ensures accuracy of system data and detect any deviation between device and
system.

 It gives additional information in multi variable devices.

FUTURE SCOPE:

Wireless HART benefits both existing and new monitoring and control applications. The
development of wireless capabilities and other enhancements for the functionality of the
HART Protocol preserves the viability of the technology's future in definitely. And more
enhancements will come to extend, amplify and improve your HART assets for the future.
Planning an automation solution requires many considerations, including technology risks
mitigation, funding, resources capability, team agreement, leveraging of installed assets,
system integration and real-world needs assessment. From point-to-point to multi-drop to
wireless, HART technology enables real answers. HART Communication is the most robust,
most versatile Fieldbus protocol, and positioned to carry the industry well into the future.

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HART Communication

REFERANCES:

1. HART Communication Foundation. " HART Field Communication Protocol

Specification".
2. Bell System Technical Reference: PUB 41212, "Data Sets 202S and 202T interface
Specification", July 1976.
3. HART Communication Foundation Pamphlet. "HART Field Communications
Protocol". [4] Holladay, Kenneth L., "Using the HARTâ Protocol to Manage for
Quality", ISA 1994 paper number 94-617.
4. ANSI/ISA - S51.1-1979, "Process Instrumentation Terminology".
5. Instrument Society of America, "Instrument Calibration Series - Principles of
Calibration", 1989.
6. Instrument Society of America, "Instrument Calibration Series - Calibrating Pressure
and Temperature Instruments", 1989

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