Fieldbus Foundation releases test specification kit, expands abroad
Fieldbus Foundation May to August announcements include educational events, expansion abroad, and an updated host profile specification and test kit.
Austin, TX —
Fieldbus Foundation
May to August announcements include educational events, expansion abroad, and an updated host profile specification and test kit.
Fieldbus Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation, has more than 350 leading process and manufacturing automation companies worldwide whose major purpose is to provide an open and neutral environment for the development of a single, international, interoperable fieldbus, the organization says. The Fieldbus Foundation website has more information about each of the following.
Fieldbus Foundation representatives expressed delight with the success of its booth at the Interkama 2007 International Trade Fair , held April 16-20 in Hannover, Germany. Coordinated by the Fieldbus Foundation German Marketing Committee, exhibit had the theme “Changing the Playing Field,” demonstrating the scope of FOUNDATION fieldbus technology in process and hybrid applications. Twenty five member companies participated in the booth (ABB, BIS Prozesstechnik, Bürkert, Emerson Process Management, Endress+Hauser, Fieldbus International, Hans Turck, Honeywell, Invensys, Leoni Kerpen, Krohne, Magnetrol, Masoneilan, MTL Instruments, Northwire, Pepperl+Fuchs, Phoenix Contact, R. Stahl, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Samson, Softing, Topworx, Wika, and Yokogawa). They showed how their applications and products use the “advanced and scalable process automation infrastructure,” as the organization said. Live demonstrations included Fieldbus Foundation’s High Speed Ethernet (HSE) technology, electronic device description language (EDDL) integration, and explanations of the forthcoming FOUNDATION fieldbus safety instrumented systems (FF-SIS).
For more on technology advances there, read: “
New technology: Hannover Fair 60th anniversary
.”
A Brazilian marketing committee , made up of representatives of leading process automation companies, will promote adoption of FOUNDATION fieldbus technology by Brazilian industry, with fieldbus-related activities, including training seminars, trade show displays, and end user demonstrations. Fieldbus Foundation marketing manager Bill Tatum, noted “We appreciate the support of our marketing committee members in promoting the FOUNDATION solution to all sectors of Brazilian industry.” A July seminar with tabletop exhibits in São Paulo, Brazil, covered how FOUNDATION technology is “Changing the Playing Field” in industrial automation. “Typically, companies receiving rapid payback from fieldbus projects are the ones devoting time up front to attend training courses,” Tatum said. Deten Química is said to have launched the world’s first commercial FOUNDATION fieldbus installation at Brazilian petrochemical refining complex. Petrobras, the national petroleum company of Brazil, also undertook a major fieldbus controls project on its Merluza offshore platform.
Fieldbus Foundation established an India marketing committee with representatives of leading process automation companies, to promote adoption of FOUNDATION fieldbus technology throughout the Indian market. Activities will include training seminars, trade show displays, and end user demonstrations. Tatum said the move is “proof that FOUNDATION fieldbus is in strong demand in one of the world’s fastest growing industrial regions.” He cited ARC Advisory Group numbers that the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) will have an estimated fieldbus compound annual growth rate of 32%. Companies involved at the start include: ABB, Baliga-Kerpen, Belden, Chemtrols-Fuji/Eckardt, Chino-Laxsons-Smar, Dresser Valves, Emerson Process Management, Endress+Hauser, Honeywell, Invensys, Joseph Leslie Drager, Larson & Toubro-Hima, MTL, Pepperl+Fuchs, R. Stahl, Rockwell Automation, Turck, and Yokogawa.
FF-569 Version 2.0 Host Interoperability Support Test Profile and Procedures Specification includes updated FOUNDATION fieldbus host profiles and features defining interoperability requirements and test procedures leading to host registration. Hosts successfully completing registration testing will be authorized to bear the foundation’s official product registration symbol. Developed by the Fieldbus Foundation’s System Integration and Maintenance (SIM) Working Group, FF-569 Version 2.0 is said to be the basis for the foundation’s new Host Profile Test & Registration Program. The existing Host Interoperability Support Test (HIST) program will be superseded by the host registration program. With the FOUNDATION fieldbus automation infrastructure, host profiles are a key to system interoperability. The profiles define required host features for different classes of hosts, including Class 61 Integrated Hosts, Class 62 Visitor Hosts, and Class 63/64 Bench Hosts. Host registration strengthens fieldbus interoperability and system integration. The updated host profile specification is said to be easier to understand than current specifications, and eliminates inconsistent features in favor of defined host profiles. A Host Test Kit is expected to be available this month, allowing vendors to pre-test their host before submitting it for testing and registration by the foundation. There’s a “Frequently Asked Questions” document available on the foundation’s website in PDF format.
–Edited by
Mark T. Hoske, editor in chief
, Control Engineering System Integration eNewsletter; sign up for other newsletters atop www.controleng.com.
Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our CFE Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.
