A Field Device Integration (FDI) host system prototype and the use of FDI device packages for Foundation Fieldbus, HART, and PROFIBUS device integration was presented at the NAMUR Annual General Meeting 2011 in Germany, based on a multi-vendor system.
For the first time ever, FDI device packages are being used to integrate Foundation Fieldbus, HART, and PROFIBUS field devices of various manufacturers within an ABB process control system including typical applications such as parameter assignment, configuration, diagnostics, and maintenance. The system makes use of prototypes of FDI standard host components developed by the FDI Cooperation. The purpose of the working prototype is to verify the FDI concepts, apply the standard host components in a system context and demonstrate FDI functionality.
FDI provides users and manufacturers of field devices with a uniform and easy-to-use solution for device integration into systems, asset management and device configuration. End users and device manufacturers benefit from the following advantages: The life cycle costs will be effectively reduced in the long run, the handling becomes easier and the technical risks will be minimized.
General information on FDI Corporation:
FDT Group, Fieldbus Foundation, HART Communication Foundation, Profibus & Profinet International, and OPC Foundation launched a company to manage ongoing development work on FDI, the common solution for device integration. The new organization has three main tasks:
• Completing the standardization of FDI under IEC (International Electrical Commission)
• Managing and maintenance of the FDI & EDDL specification
• Allocation and maintenance of Standard Host components and of the FDI Tool Kits for system and device manufacturers.
The company (FDI Cooperation, LLC) will be managed by representatives of the five foundations and seven of the leading automation suppliers. Hans-Georg Kumpfmüller from Siemens will serve as Chairman of the Board and Achim Laubenstein from ABB has been nominated as Executive Director
What do you think about FDI? The next great thing? Or just another fieldbus group?