Security device and field bus system for supporting secure communication by means of a field bus

US11423187B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG · DE
• ABB Schweiz AG · CH

Inventors

• Guido Venema · Detmold, DE
• Patrick Lessing · Berlin, DE
• Michael A. Hotz · Owen Sound, CA
• Stefan Bollmeyer · Minden, DE
• Ragnar Schierholz · Minden, DE
• Bernd Wansner · Minden, DE
• Marten Hinrichs · Porta Westfalica, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 21, 2017
• Grant date: Aug 23, 2022
• Expiry date: Jan 2, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y04S40/20
• WIPO field: Digital communication
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A security device to support secure communication via a field bus, has a connecting apparatus for the direct coupling of the security device to a network interface of a field bus subscriber, which is formed for connecting to a field bus and which is not formed for secure communication via the field bus. In the coupled state, there is a link between the security device and the field bus subscriber such that, if the link is disconnected or damaged, proper operation of the security device is reversibly or irreversibly blocked. Further, a transmitting and receiving apparatus is provided which is formed to securely transfer data coming from a directly coupled field bus participant, which is not formed for secure communication, via the field bus according to a predetermined security protocol, and which is further formed to receive data transferred via the field bus and intended for the field bus participant according to the predetermined security protocol and to deliver them to the field bus participant.