Fieldbus product: Advanced diagnostics module looks into fieldbus physical layer

By Control Engineering Staff January 3, 2007

The new advanced diagnostic module (ADM) for Pepperl+Fuchs’ FieldConnex power hub helps measure and monitor physical layer activity of a FOUNDATION Fieldbus or Profibus installation, reportedly providing critical communication quality information. Engineering and maintenance people can use these data when commissioning and troubleshooting working systems.

When a new system is installed, ADM takes a snapshot of the segment to establish baseline communication activity and quality. When the device is operating, performance data are sent to the maintenance workstation in real time and compared to the original snapshot. If there is system performance deterioration beyond a user-defined point, ADM alerts operators before the problem reaches critical proportions. ADM detection capabilities include sudden events and long-term trending for creeping problems.

The system includes internal oscilloscope functions and can generate reports per segment and per individual device. Maintenance personnel can use its information to pinpoint failures quickly from the control room to save troubleshooting in the plant.

Control Engineering Daily Daily News Desk
Peter Welander
, process industries editor