WIRELESS CONTROLLER GRIDS FOR PROCESS CONTROL AND OTHER SYSTEMS AND RELATED APPARATUS AND METHOD

A system includes a plurality of wireless nodes including multiple controller nodes. Each controller node is configured to execute at least one of multiple control algorithms for controlling at least a portion of a process. Each control algorithm is associated with one or more sensor nodes and/or actuator nodes. At least one wireless node is configured to distribute the control algorithms amongst the controller nodes. At least one wireless node may be configured to redistribute the control algorithms amongst the controller nodes in response to one or more triggering events. A triggering event could include a new controller node being added to the system, and at least one wireless node could be configured to redistribute the control algorithms amongst the controller nodes including the new controller node. Redistribution of control algorithms can change a physical location where at least one control algorithm is executed without interrupting control of the process.