Wireless communication network association and security for control of industrial equipment in harsh environments
In certain embodiments, a system includes a master node device. The master node device includes communication circuitry configured to facilitate communication with a welding power supply unit via a long-range communication link, and to facilitate wireless communication with one or more welding-related devices via a short-range wireless communication network. The master node device also includes control circuitry configured to associate the one or more welding-related devices with the short-range wireless communication network. The master node device further includes means for manually initiating association of the one or more welding-related devices with the short-range wireless communication network.
1. A master node device comprising:
communication circuitry configured to facilitate communication with internal communication circuitry of a welding power supply unit via a communication link, and to facilitate wireless communication with internal wireless communication circuitry of one or more welding-related devices via a wireless communication network, wherein the communication link has a greater transmission range than the wireless communication network;
control circuitry configured to associate the one or more welding-related devices with the wireless communication network; and
means for manually initiating association of the one or more welding-related devices with the wireless communication network via user activation of synchronization mechanisms of the master node device and the one or more welding-related devices.
2. The master node device of claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to allow association of the one or more welding-related devices with the wireless communication network only if the welding-related devices include authorization credentials that indicate the welding-related devices may be used with the master node device.
3. The master node device of claim 2 , wherein the authorization credentials include at least a media access control (MAC) address and a function code of the welding-related devices.
4. The master node device of claim 1 , wherein the communication link comprises a wireless communication link having a transmission range of approximately 300 feet or more from the master node device to the welding power supply unit.
5. The master node device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication network comprises a wireless communication network having a transmission range of approximately 20-25 feet from the master node device.
6. The master node device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more welding-related devices comprise a welding wire feeder.
7. The master node device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more welding-related devices comprise a welding torch.
8. The master node device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more welding-related devices comprise a welding helmet.
9. The master node device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more welding-related devices comprise a welding pendant.
10. The master node device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more welding-related devices comprise a welding foot pedal.
11. The master node device of claim 1 , wherein a welding-related device of the one or more welding-related devices comprises the master node device.
12. The master node device of claim 1 , wherein the communication circuitry includes radio frequency (RF) transmitters and sensors.
13. The master node device of claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to route and prioritize communications between the internal wireless communication circuitry of the one or more welding-related devices and the internal communication circuitry of the welding power supply unit via the communication link and the wireless communication network.
14. A method comprising:
manually initiating association of one or more welding-related devices with a wireless communication network having a master node device functioning as a router and prioritization controller for the wireless communication network, wherein manually initiating association comprises user activation of synchronization mechanisms of the master node device and the one or more welding-related devices;
associating the one or more welding-related devices with the wireless communication network;
wirelessly communicating between internal wireless communication circuitry of the one or more welding-related devices and wireless communication circuitry of the master node device via the wireless communication network; and
communicating between communication circuitry of the master node device and internal communication circuitry of a welding power supply unit via a communication link having a greater transmission range than the wireless communication network.
15. The method of claim 14 , comprising associating the one or more welding-related devices with the wireless communication network only if the welding-related devices include authorization credentials that indicate the welding-related devices may be used with the master node device.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the authorization credentials include at least a media access control (MAC) address and a function code of the welding-related devices.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the wireless communication network comprises a wireless communication network having a transmission range of approximately 20-25 feet from the master node device, and wherein the communication link comprises a wireless communication link having a transmission range of approximately 300 feet or more from the master node device to the welding power supply unit.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the one or more welding-related devices comprise a welding wire feeder, a welding torch, a welding helmet, a welding pendant, or a welding foot pedal.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein a welding-related device of the one or more welding-related devices comprises the master node device.
20. A communication network comprising:
one or more welding-related devices, wherein the one or more welding-related devices comprise a welding wire feeder, a welding torch, a welding helmet, a welding pendant, or a welding foot pedal;
a welding power supply unit configured to convert power from a power grid to power for a welding operation performed using the one or more welding-related devices; and
a master node device configured to facilitate wireless communication between internal wireless communication circuitry of the one or more welding-related devices and wireless communication circuitry of the master node device via a wireless communication network, to facilitate communication between communication circuitry of the master node device and internal communication circuitry of the welding power supply unit via a communication link, to enable manual initiation of association of the one or more welding-related devices with the wireless communication network via user activation of synchronization mechanisms of the master node device and the one or more welding-related devices, and to route and prioritize communications between the internal wireless communication circuitry of the one or more welding-related devices and the internal communication circuitry of the welding power supply unit via the communication link and the wireless communication network.