Invensys joins FDI Co-op, as NAMUR urges end to field device wars
15 Dec 2009
London – Invensys Operations Management has moved to accelerate deployment of field device integration (FDI) technology by joining other key suppliers to enlarge the scope of the EDDL Cooperation Team (ECT) and become part of the FDI Cooperation – the body set up to harmonise the rival EDDL (Enhanced Device Description Language) and FDT/DTM (FIeld Device Tool/Device Type Manager) standards that define how intelligent field devices function in fieldbus systems.
As well as Invensys, the FDI Cooperation will now initially consist of the FDT Group, Fieldbus Foundation, HART Communications Foundation, OPC Foundation and PROFIBUS Nutzerorganisation, as well as ABB, Emerson, Endress+Hauser, Honeywell, Siemens and Yokogawa.
“We need to continue supporting the move to a more open and integrated perspective in the plant because it allows manufacturing and process operations executives to make profitable tradeoffs in real time,” said Rashesh Mody, senior vice president, portfolio and strategy at Invensys.
With FDT, the definition files provided by instrument vendors are plug-ins to the field device manager framework. This eliminates the need for manufacturers to rely on hundreds of independent diagnostic applications supplied by multiple vendors and the need for DCS vendors to supply diagnostic applications for all available devices.
According to Invensys, however, the real value is that with FDT, the device type manager advanced applications all vendors write can now plug in to any DCS. Customers can use these diagnostics for predictive maintenance, saving millions of dollars in unnecessary downtime and maintenance costs.
The FDI project was kicked off at the 2007 Hannover Messe. At that time, the ECT welcomed FDT Group with the primary aim of harmonising EDDL and FDT/DTM technologies. Since then, the project has shaped the technology towards reaching a converged FDI solution. The addition of supplier companies, who have agreed to support FDI packages in their systems and products, will strengthen this effort by providing resources for the completion of this project.
Besides the finalisation of the FDI specification, which is due by mid-2010, the scope of the enlarged ECT now covers common design and test tools, common binary format and interpreter across the protocols of HART, Foundation Fieldbus and PROFIBUS. The goal is to assure a uniform device integration solution for process industries across all host systems, devices and protocols as required by end users.
Meanwhile, automation end users group NAMUR and Dutch-based Working-party on Instrument Behaviour (WIB) have issued a joint call for industry to back FDI equipment integration technology. NAMUR working group 2.6 “Fieldbus“ is supporting further development in this area in direct cooperation with WIB.
Calling for standards based on manufacturer-neutral certification measures, NAMUR and WIB urged all involved to actively support ongoing FDI work. “Only active support and participation can ensure the realisation of a single approach to uniform equipment integration,” they said.
“Enlarging the EDDL Cooperation Team for FDI cooperation will be welcomed by users as a positive initial step towards the achievement of a practical FDI organisation,” the groups added. “FDI should usher in a situation where equipment integration is no longer perceived as an option for the realisation of unique features, but rather a chance to simplify equipment integration and, consequently, ensure the reliability and long-term stability of communication in production plants.”
According to Namur, requirements such as a common binary format for the Hart, FF and Profibus protocol, including a uniform interpreter, will enable field device technology to be adapted to meet user demands for applicability and ease of use.
Field device integration in the process industry has involved the competing concepts of EDDL and FDT/DTM for more than a decade, noted NAMUR. The group’s own recommendation to clearly define user requirements for equipment integration – NE105 “Specifications for integrating fieldbus devices in engineering tools for field devices“ – was published as early as 2004.
“To date, neither concept has met the most important user requirements,” said NAMUR. “As matters stand these two concepts can be expected to harbour long-term disadvantages for both users and manufacturers. The harmonising and fundamental revision of both concepts represents a practical opportunity to achieve necessary improvements and further developments. A uniform solution for equipment integration would also reduce the complexity for users and manufacturers and bundle existing development potential.”
