Great blog post by Jonas Berg and Jim Cahill over at Emerson!
Differences in Fieldbuses and Ethernet Communications
Issues affecting the world of FOUNDATION Fieldbus technology
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Monday, November 18, 2013
First Public Release of FDI Spec
The Fieldbus Foundation is pleased to announce the first public release of FDI Cooperation, LLC’s Field Device Integration (FDI) specification and a demo of the FDI developer toolkits, both of which will make it possible for automation suppliers to prepare for developing products and host systems compatible with FDI.
The Fieldbus Foundation is one of the founding members of FDI Cooperation, LLC.
As part of the release, which coincided with the NAMUR annual meeting, the FDI specification and the latest Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL) specifications were handed over to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for the next important phase—the Committee Draft for Vote—in the international standardization process. FDI will be included in the emerging standard IEC 62769.
At the core of the FDI specification is the FDI Device Package that includes everything a host system needs to integrate an intelligent device. With FDI, a single FDI Device Package that can scale according to the complexities and requirements of each device represents individual instruments.
Each FDI Device Package contains a mandatory Device Description (EDD), providing parameter definitions, structure for the parameters for context-specific views, and automated work processes for device procedures such as calibration. FDI Device Packages may also incorporate User Interface Plug-Ins, software components that support advanced device setup and diagnostic functions. Additionally, product manuals, documentation, images, electronic certifications and other attachments may be delivered in the FDI Device Package.
FDI Device Packages make it easier for automation suppliers to develop and integrate intelligent devices because they only need to create a single, unified FDI Device Package for each intelligent device that can work with all host systems and tools, reducing overall development costs while preserving and expanding existing functionality. Users will also find it easier to manage information from intelligent devices with a single device package, instead of juggling different technologies and investing significant capital in custom integration efforts to connect multiple technology platforms.
With the release of the FDI specification, FDI Cooperation demonstrated a preview edition of the common cross protocol Integrated Development Environment (IDE), which will help device manufacturers create FDI Device Packages for Foundation fieldbus, HART and Profibus devices. The purpose of standard developer tools is to ensure that automation suppliers can develop high-quality, reliable FDI-based solutions in a consistent manner. A standard set of developer tools significantly reduces development costs and speeds time to market for both device developers and system developers.
The IDE will include a reference host that allows device developers to execute and test FDI Device Package against a standard implementation to ensure product quality.
The demo of the developer tools was based on the protocol-independent FDI Common Host Components. Host system manufacturers implement FDI Common Host Components for device management tools, asset management tools, and process automation systems. FDI Common Host Components allow for rapid development and ensure FDI Device Packages behave consistently across different systems. FDI Host Components fully support legacy EDD libraries to protect end user investments.
The live demonstration at the NAMUR Annual General Meeting showed FDI functionality in field devices from six different suppliers, all of which are integrated with the help of FDI device packages within a process control system. The demonstration, organized and constructed by Siemens, included typical use cases, such as parameter assignment, configuration, diagnostics, functional testing, and maintenance. This was the first time a commercial system based on common components was applied to interpret FDI device packages.
The FDI specification will be available for download at www.fdi-cooperation.com.
The Fieldbus Foundation is one of the founding members of FDI Cooperation, LLC.
As part of the release, which coincided with the NAMUR annual meeting, the FDI specification and the latest Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL) specifications were handed over to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for the next important phase—the Committee Draft for Vote—in the international standardization process. FDI will be included in the emerging standard IEC 62769.
At the core of the FDI specification is the FDI Device Package that includes everything a host system needs to integrate an intelligent device. With FDI, a single FDI Device Package that can scale according to the complexities and requirements of each device represents individual instruments.
Each FDI Device Package contains a mandatory Device Description (EDD), providing parameter definitions, structure for the parameters for context-specific views, and automated work processes for device procedures such as calibration. FDI Device Packages may also incorporate User Interface Plug-Ins, software components that support advanced device setup and diagnostic functions. Additionally, product manuals, documentation, images, electronic certifications and other attachments may be delivered in the FDI Device Package.
FDI Device Packages make it easier for automation suppliers to develop and integrate intelligent devices because they only need to create a single, unified FDI Device Package for each intelligent device that can work with all host systems and tools, reducing overall development costs while preserving and expanding existing functionality. Users will also find it easier to manage information from intelligent devices with a single device package, instead of juggling different technologies and investing significant capital in custom integration efforts to connect multiple technology platforms.
With the release of the FDI specification, FDI Cooperation demonstrated a preview edition of the common cross protocol Integrated Development Environment (IDE), which will help device manufacturers create FDI Device Packages for Foundation fieldbus, HART and Profibus devices. The purpose of standard developer tools is to ensure that automation suppliers can develop high-quality, reliable FDI-based solutions in a consistent manner. A standard set of developer tools significantly reduces development costs and speeds time to market for both device developers and system developers.
The IDE will include a reference host that allows device developers to execute and test FDI Device Package against a standard implementation to ensure product quality.
The demo of the developer tools was based on the protocol-independent FDI Common Host Components. Host system manufacturers implement FDI Common Host Components for device management tools, asset management tools, and process automation systems. FDI Common Host Components allow for rapid development and ensure FDI Device Packages behave consistently across different systems. FDI Host Components fully support legacy EDD libraries to protect end user investments.
The live demonstration at the NAMUR Annual General Meeting showed FDI functionality in field devices from six different suppliers, all of which are integrated with the help of FDI device packages within a process control system. The demonstration, organized and constructed by Siemens, included typical use cases, such as parameter assignment, configuration, diagnostics, functional testing, and maintenance. This was the first time a commercial system based on common components was applied to interpret FDI device packages.
The FDI specification will be available for download at www.fdi-cooperation.com.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Automation Software: They'll Make a Better Software Fool
Automation Software: They'll Make a Better Software Fool
Nice column by John rezabek, Chairman of our End User Advisory Council, on control in the field and the "Hold Last" behavior of fieldbus positioners.
Nice column by John rezabek, Chairman of our End User Advisory Council, on control in the field and the "Hold Last" behavior of fieldbus positioners.
Report on the Seminar in Brunn, Austria
The Fieldbus Foundation Central and Eastern European
Marketing Committee (FFCEEMC), together with fieldbus experts from the Fieldbus
Foundation headquarters in Austin, Texas, and trainers from the certified
training centers in Brielle (Netherlands) and Miskolc (Hungary), hosted a
fieldbus sales training and end user seminar at the Austria Trend Hotel in Brünn,
Austria from October 21-22. The events
were hosted by Mr. Jürgen George (Chairman – FFCEEMC) and members of the
FFCEEMC. Larry O’Brien, marketing
manager of the Fieldbus Foundation was in attendance as well as Dr. Bindert
Douma (certified FOUNDATION trainer – STC Group, Brielle, the Netherlands) and Mr
József Subert and Victor Füvesi (certified FOUNDATION trainers – University of
Miskolc, Hungary).
 |
| Demo Unit from University of Miskolc |
Juergen George does an excellent job organizing and
executing these seminars across Central and Eastern Europe. Bindert Douma from
STC Brielle has years of experience engineering fieldbus projects and is one of
our certified trainers under the FCTP program. It was a great chance to hear
him share his experience on fieldbus projects.
József Subert did excellent presentations on how to design a fieldbus
system and take advantage of control in the field. It was also good to connect
with various end users and suppliers, roughly 40 attendees from all over CEE,
not just Austria. We have many FOUNDATION fieldbus installations throughout
CEE, including the MOL refinery in Hungary. Our trainers from the University of
Miskolc FOUNDATION Certified Training Program partner had a nice
demonstration set up where they showed access to diagnostic data, control in
the field, and more.
 |
| Audience Members |
• FOUNDATION fieldbus overview
• Implementing FOUNDATION fieldbus projects
• How salespeople can most effectively approach end users
• Value of selling FOUNDATION fieldbus (from the sales person’s perspective)
• Open discussion and question & answer session
The end user seminar took place on Tuesday 22 October from 09.30 until 16.00. The end user seminar program offered attendees a comprehensive agenda of technical presentations and the opportunity to share end user experiences. It offers a good opportunity for local fieldbus partners to spend the day with customers and other interested parties and fieldbus experts. The presentations at the End User Seminar day included:
• Introduction to the FFCEEMC
• Update on activities at Fieldbus Foundation and resources for training and education
• Strategies for managing data from fieldbus devices
• Planning the fieldbus infrastructure (including explosion protection and safety instrumented functions)
• Commissioning the hardware; implementing fieldbus projects; diagnostics and trouble-shooting
• End user experience
• Open discussion and question & answer session
For more information on FFCEEMC seminars and activities go to their web pages.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Successful Fieldbus Wiring on Video
Our marketing specialist Talon Petty has done a series of very good videos on best practices for fieldbus wiring. As any engineer with experience on fieldbus projects will tell you, most of the issues experienced in fieldbus installations are due to poor wiring. Since FOUNDATION fieldbus is a digital network that runs over twisted pair, there are some things you have to keep in mind and some practices that may be different from what you are used to with analog technology over twisted pair. I have spoken to many people that go to user installations where they report a problem with fieldbus technology, but it is discovered that wiring was not done right. Fortunately you can watch these videos and many of these issues can be avoided!
Friday, October 25, 2013
Last Call - FOUNDATION Developer Training in Germany
There are less than 2 weeks until the Developer Training course in Germany and we still have some spots open. Sign-up your technical staff today so they can get up-to-date on the latest with FOUNDATION fieldbus!
See the blog post Larry posted back on October 8th for more information!
http://foundationfieldbus.blogspot.com/2013/10/full-schedule-of-foundation-developer.html
See the blog post Larry posted back on October 8th for more information!
http://foundationfieldbus.blogspot.com/2013/10/full-schedule-of-foundation-developer.html
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Reliance Eyes Big Cost Savings from New Technology
Some recent news hit the press in India on dnaindia.com about FOUNDATION for ROM. The news piece was written following the Automation 2013 Mumbai Conference in India.
A brief yet thorough write up on the article can be found on dna's website here:
http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-ril-eyes-big-cost-savings-from-new-tech-at-jamnagar-1893559
The event was a great success overall. In fact, Larry did a good write up right here in the blog about it on October 2nd. Click here: http://foundationfieldbus.blogspot.com/2013/10/foundation-for-rom-at-automation-2013.html
You can also find more about F_ROM by visiting our ROM webpage HERE.
A brief yet thorough write up on the article can be found on dna's website here:
http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-ril-eyes-big-cost-savings-from-new-tech-at-jamnagar-1893559
The event was a great success overall. In fact, Larry did a good write up right here in the blog about it on October 2nd. Click here: http://foundationfieldbus.blogspot.com/2013/10/foundation-for-rom-at-automation-2013.html
You can also find more about F_ROM by visiting our ROM webpage HERE.
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