HART Communication Protocol Software

Master 8.0: Slave 8.0: FrameAlyst 7.6: TestDLL 7.6:

Walter Borst, IT-Engineer and HartTools Developer

The HART communication protocol was developed in the 1990s. It was originally a makeshift solution intended for data transmission between field and host devices. But we old-school engineers know that nothing is more stable than a makeshift solution.

Because HART retains analog transmission (4-20 mA) alongside the superimposed digital component, devices using this technology are very easy to replace. This is one of the reasons why HART has proven itself over the years to be the number one fieldbus standard and has continued to establish itself.

Another special feature of HART is the Device Description Language (DDL). It is used to describe to a host device which parameters a field device has, with which properties, and how to access them. Today, this would certainly be done with HTML or XML, but these options didn't exist when HART was developed. Interestingly, many fieldbus systems today also have DDL integrated.

Borst Automation

I have since closed my website as an engineering office (Borst Automation) and have therefore deleted the old page. This is a new page that is a subset of my general presentation. Since this page is primarily aimed at former business associates and customers, it is written in English.

In other words: I'm retired. I certainly won't be developing any new major projects anymore. However, most of my previous work was devoted to topics like embedded systems, digital communications, PC software, testing, and many more. One of my favorite topics has always been HART communication, and I don't want to let go of it completely.

Therefore, I am still willing to contribute to development projects to a limited extent, for example, the integration of HART communication. However, this can only be done on the basis of a small service contract. If you have any questions to this, please send me a short email to the following address:
office@walter-borst.de .

Free HART Software/Firmware and Tools

The software solutions you find on this site are available to you without restrictions. You can do whatever you want with them. The only minor detail is a warranty disclaimer that releases me from any liability. This disclaimer applies to all source code, software and documents found on this site. If you have any questions or comments on the topics presented, please send me an e-mail to the address I have listed below.

A Concept for HART Developers

The graphic below illustrates the relationships. There are essentially two Git projects. One contains the C++ source code of the software for a master and a slave that support the HART protocol (4..20 mA) and HART-IP. The second package contains the setup for the HART protocol analyzer FrameAlyst, which records and analyzes communication between field devices (slaves) and a master.

The graphic illustrates the special approach for master and slave devices. Here, the same C++ source code is used for both a PC simulation and the implementation of an embedded system. This makes it very easy to develop most of the firmware for a HART slave or master in a PC simulation.

Modular Integration and Test Concept for HART Communication

Git Project HART Master and Slave

The Git project contains the C++ source code for a HART master and a HART slave. This also includes the source code for a simulation DLL under Windows and the C# source code for running the simulation library. The Git project also contains the required documentation like data sheets and many further details:
https://github.com/BorstAutomation/Hart-Master-Slave-8.0 .

Git Project HartTools 7.6

This project primarily represents the setup file (.msi) of the HART FrameLayst for Windows. Further information can be found in the Git project itself:
https://github.com/BorstAutomation/HartTools-7.6-Setup .

Informative Links

Contact Informationen

Address

Walter Borst
Kapitaen-Alexander-Strasse 39
27472 Cuxhaven

Phone

+49 4721 6985100

office@walter-borst.de
Walter Borst Home
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-borst/
Walter Borst, 3.11.2025