HART Protocol
HART (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) is a popular protocol for communication between
field devices and control systems, primarily in process industries. The communication happens over
the existing 4-20 mA analog current loops, without the need of installing additional wiring.
HART is a master/slave protocol, wherein a smart field (slave) device only speaks when spoken to
by a master.
The protocol supports different operational modes such as point-to-point or multi-drop for
communicating information to/from smart field devices and central monitoring or control systems.
HART protocol supports two masters. The primary master is typically a monitoring or control system
such as PLC, DCS or PC while the secondary master can be a handheld communicator.
How HART Works:
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.
Frequency Shift Keying:
The digital signal is made up of two frequencies— 1,200 Hz
and 2,200 Hz representing bits 1 and 0.
Sine waves of these two frequencies are superimposed on
the direct current (dc) analog signal cables to provide
simultaneous analog and digital communications.
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.
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.
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.
HART Networks:
POINT-TO-POINT:
In point-to-point mode, the traditional 4–20 mA signal is used
to communicate one process variable, while additional
process variables, configuration parameters, and other
device data are transferred digitally using the HART protocol.
The 4–20 mA analog signal is not affected by the HART signal
and can be used for control in the normal way. The HART
communication digital signal gives access to secondary
variables and other data that can be used for operations,
commissioning, maintenance, and diagnostic purposes.
There is also an optional “burst” communication mode where
a single slave device can continuously broadcast a standard
HART reply message.
Multidrop Configuration:
The multidrop mode of operation requires only a single pair of
wires and, if applicable, safety barriers and an auxiliary
power supply for up to 15 field devices.
All process values are transmitted digitally. In multidrop
mode.
All field devices gets addresses that are >0.
the current through each device is fixed to a minimum value
(typically 4 mA).
Hart now can use rs-485 cables and Ethernet cables to
communicate.
Can use HART wireless .
HART Protocol Specifications
The HART Protocol was developed in the late 1980’s and
transferred to the HART Foundation in the early 1990’s. Since
then it has been updated several times. When the protocol is
updated, it is updated in a way that ensures backward
compatibility with previous versions. The current version of
the HART Protocol is revision 7.3. The “7” denotes the major
revision level and the “3” denotes the minor revision level.
The HART Protocol implements layers 1,2, 3, 4 and 7 of the
Open System Interconnection (OSI) 7-layer protocol model:
The HART Physical Layer is based on the Bell 202 standard,
using frequency shift keying (FSK) to communicate at 1200
bps. The signal frequencies representing bit values of 0 and 1
are 2200 and 1200Hz respectively. This signal is
superimposed at a low level on the 4-to-20mA analog
measurement signal without causing any interference with
the analog signal.
The HART Data Link Layer defines a master-slave protocol
– in normal use, a field device only replies when it is spoken
to. There can be two masters, for example, a control system
as a primary master and a handheld HART communicator as
a secodary master. Timing rules define when each master
may initiate a communication transaction. Up to 15 or more
slave devices can be connected to a single multidrop cable
pair.
The Network Layer provides routing, end-to-end security,
and transport services. It manages “sessions” for end-to-end
communication with correspondent devices.
The Transport Layer: The Data-Link Layer ensures
communications are successfully propagated from one device
to another. The Transport Layer can be used to ensure end-
end communication is successful.
The Application Layer defines the commands, responses,
data types and status reporting supported by the Protocol. In
the Application Layer, the public commands of the protocol
are divided into four major groups:
1. Universal Commands – provide functions which must be
implemented in all field devices
2. Common Practice Commands – provide functions
common to many, but not all field devices
3. Device Specific Commands – provide functions that are
unique to a particular field device and are specified by
the device manufacturer
4. Device Family Commands – provide a set of
standardized functions for instruments with particular
measurement types, allowing full generic access without
using device-specific commands.
