What products are involved?

Rheonics SRV viscometer, SRD density-viscosity meter, DVP gas density-viscosity meter and DVM HPHT density-viscosity meter

What is the purpose of this article?

This article explains the option of using WirelessHART with Rheonics inline viscometers, the necessary hardware, how it connects, and how it is configured. WirelessHART is a wireless extension of the HART protocol, fully compatible with existing HART devices.

Table of Contents

1. What is WirelessHART?

WirelessHART is a radio communication protocol that extends the widely adopted HART standard by adding wireless capability while keeping full compatibility with existing HART devices. The technology uses a self-organizing mesh network, where every device can act both as a measurement point and as a repeater. 


Key benefits include:

  • Reduced cabling and installation costs.
  • Faster deployment of new measurement points.
  • Access to remote or difficult-to-wire areas
  • Full visibility of HART diagnostics and multivariable data


WirelessHART network diagram with field devices, adapters, gateways, and integration to DCS and SCADA

Figure 1. WirelessHART- Image Sourced from FieldComm Group Website


2. Required Hardware for Rheonics WirelessHART Setup

To enable Rheonics inline viscometers and density meters to communicate wirelessly using WirelessHART, the following hardware components are required. 

  • HART Device
  • WirelessHART Adapter
  • WirelessHART Gateway


WirelessHART setup diagram showing controller, gateway, WirelessHART adapter, and Rheonics SME

Figure 2. WirelessHART Setup

 


Customers can use their preferred vendor’s WirelessHART adapters and gateways. Rheonics provides the HART device (SME), while the wireless infrastructure can be sourced from any manufacturer offering WirelessHART-compliant solutions.


2.1 HART Device: Rheonics SME

Rheonics Smart Module Electronics (SME) are robust, high-speed electronics paired with Rheonics sensors. They convert probe signals into viscosity, density, and temperature, and transmit data via multiple protocols, including HART.


Rheonics SME TRD with WirelessHART adapter displaying viscosity, density, and temperature values


Figure 3. Rheonics SME TRD with WirelessHART Adapter



Rheonics offers a preconfigured WirelessHART Adapter ready to use out of the box.


2.2 WirelessHART Adapter

The HART Adapter connects to the SME and transmits the HART signal wirelessly within a WirelessHART network. In this example, the adapter used is Emerson Wireless 775 THUM™ Adapter.


Emerson Wireless 775 THUM WirelessHART adapter for SME, enabling wireless HART communication

Figure 4. WirelessHART Adapter

 


2.3 WirelessHART Gateway

The Gateway is the central hub of a WirelessHART network. It collects data from WirelessHART devices and makes it available to control systems. The gateway translates WirelessHART into standard industrial protocols such as EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, or Modbus TCP, allowing PLCs, DCS, and SCADA systems to read sensor data without native HART support.


Emerson WirelessHART Gateway translating WirelessHART signals to Modbus, PROFINET, or EtherNet/IP


Figure 5. WirelessHART Gateway


3. How to Configure WirelessHART Devices

To integrate a HART-enabled Rheonics viscometer into a WirelessHART network, both the gateway and the wireless adapter must be configured with the same Network Settings. While the exact steps may differ slightly depending on the vendor, the overall procedure follows the same principles across all WirelessHART-compliant devices.


 

3.1 Wireless Gateway

3.1.1 Installation and Wiring

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to wire and install the WirelessHART gateway. Once it is powered on and accessible through its web interface, you can proceed with the configuration.


Emerson WirelessHART Gateway with external antenna for wireless HART communication in industrial networks.

Figure 6. WirelessHART Gateway and Antenna

 


3.1.2 Network Settings

The main configuration step for a WirelessHART Gateway is setting up the Network ID and the Join Key.

  • Network ID: Identifies the WirelessHART network (e.g., 6124).
  • Join Key: A shared security key required by all devices that will join the network.


Both parameters must also be configured on the THUM adapter (or any other WirelessHART device) so it can successfully connect to the gateway.


Emerson WirelessHART 1410S Gateway network settings interface showing WiHART network name, ID, and join key

Figure 7. Network Settings of 1410S Gateway


Figure 7 shows the web browser interface of an Emerson Wireless Gateway 1410S. The user can log in with the default IP address and credentials to configure the network settings under the Network tab.


 

Because WirelessHART is a standardized protocol, the customer is not restricted to a specific vendor’s gateway; they may use their own compatible WirelessHART gateway if preferred, as long as the same Network ID and Join Key are applied consistently across the system.



3.2 Wireless Adapter Setup and Configuration

A WirelessHART adapter can be configured through different ways, such as:

  • Using a Field Communicator (e.g., Emerson 475/AMS Trex) to enter the Network ID and Join Key.
  • Using a HART modem connected to a PC, with configuration software such as PACTware and the appropriate DTM library.


The following configurations were performed using PACTware.


3.2.1 WirelessHART Adapter Wiring

The WirelessHART Adapter can be mounted directly on Rheonics TRD. The Smart Module Electronics (SME) provides HART communication, while the HART Adapter transmits this data wirelessly over the WirelessHART network.


Rheonics SME is a 4-Wire Active device. Figure 8 shows a connection diagram where there is no 4-20 mA loop.


Wiring diagram of Emerson 775 THUM WirelessHART adapter showing connections to device, ground, and load resistor.

Figure 8. Emerson THUM Adapter Wiring.
Source: Emerson Wireless 775THUM Adapter Reference Manual, 00809-0100-4075, Rev CF, June 2023.

 

Additional configuration and mounting options for the Wireless Adapter are available. Please contact Rheonics Support for more information.



3.2.2 Network Settings 

There are two critical parameters are on Network Settings:

  • Network ID: identifies the WirelessHART network.
  • Join Key: security key shared by all devices in the same network.


Both values must match the gateway settings for the Wireless Adapter to successfully join the network.


PACTware configuration screen showing WirelessHART network ID setup and device join settings for integration

Figure 9. PACTware - Network ID Configuration.


3.2.3 Wired Device Settings

PACTware configuration screen for wired device settings, including Smart Power options and HART polling setup.

Figure 10. PACTware - Wired Device Settings


On the WirelessHART adapter, configure the HART communication settings so it can successfully poll the HART device:

  • Polling address: Set this to the HART device’s address (default is 0 for the Rheonics SME) or to Automatic First Found.


PACTware discovery mode screen for wired device settings with options for automatic, polling address, or fixed mapping

Figure 11. PACTware - Wired Device Settings: Discovery Mode

 

  • Polling commands: configure the adapter to request at least Command 1 (Primary Variable) and/or Command 3 (Dynamic Variables). Command 3 is recommended because it retrieves PV, SV, TV, and QV in one response.


PACTware configuration screen for HART polling, selecting device variables and status data from wired devices.

Figure 12. PACTware - Wired Device Settings: Configure HART Polling


  • Update rates: How frequently the adapter should issue the polling commands


Once these settings are applied, the adapter will continuously poll the SME via HART and provide the process variables to the WirelessHART network.


Rheonics HART Field Device specifications are available in the: Rheonics HART Manual


 

3.2.4 Broadcast Settings

Once the THUM adapter has joined the network and is able to poll the HART device, you can configure the broadcast messages and update rates as follows:

  • Message 1: All variables and device status.
  • Message 2: Standard HART variables (PV, SV, TV, QV).
  • Message 3: Device status only.


The update rate determines how often data packets are sent to the gateway. This can be adjusted depending on the process and monitoring requirements.


PACTware configuration screen showing WirelessHART broadcast settings with update rates and message assignments.

Figure 13. PACTware - Broadcast Settings


3.3 SME Configuration

No additional configuration is needed to establish communication between the WirelessHART Adapter and the Rheonics SME.


If you are having issues with HART, take a look at HART Troubleshooting: Rheonics Support



3.4 Functionality Check

After the gateway, and adapter have been configured, the Rheonics sensor should appear on the gateway.

  1. Access the Gateway Web Interface.
  2. On the Home screen, the sensor should be listed as a newly added device (see Figure 14). Once the WirelessHART Adapter has been configured with the correct Network ID and Join Key and given sufficient time to join the network, the Rheonics SME will appear automatically when powered on.


Emerson WirelessHART Gateway web interface showing notifications, new device added.

Figure 14. Gateway Web Interface: New Device


4. Gateway Data Integration

With the sensor now visible on the gateway, the final step is to configure the gateway to expose this data over the plant’s preferred communication protocol (such as Modbus TCP, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, or PROFINET). By mapping the HART variables (PV, SV, TV, QV) to the chosen protocol, the sensor measurements become directly available to higher-level systems.

 

Gateway web interface displaying WirelessHART device data from Rheonics SME including PV, SV, TV, and QV values

Figure 15. Gateway Web Interface: Data from Rheonics SME


5. References