Technical Data Sheet

The basics of fieldbus

Linking Device

H1 H1 H1

High Speed fieldbus

Traditional I/O

H1

H1 H1

Point-to-Point

Multi-drop

Tree

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fieldbus basics

The basics of fieldbus

FIELDBUS BASICS
Fieldbus is a digital, two-way, multi-drop communication link among intelligent control devices that will replace the 4-20 mA standard. Let's break this definition down to give a little clearer idea about why this is such a drastic departure from today's technology. First of all, fieldbus is digital. Although computers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and remote terminal units (RTUs) communicate with each other digitally, most end devices (e.g. valves, pressure transducers, switches, etc.) still use analog signals to communicate. For example, an analog value of 4 mA might correspond to a pressure of no flow while a value of 20 mA might correspond to a 1000 GPM flow value. With discrete devices, the presence of a signal might represent a "closed" or "alarm" condition while the absence of a signal might represent "open" or "normal". Two-way communications means that a value can not only be read from the end device but it is now possible to write to the device. For example, the calibration constants associated with a particular sensor can now be stored directly in the device itself and changed as needed. The multi-drop capability of a fieldbus will perhaps result in the most immediate cost saving benefit for users. With analog devices, a separate cable needs to be run between the end device and the control system because only a single analog signal can be represented on the circuit.

Modern distributed systems partially solve this problem by locating remote multiplexing devices out in the field. The ultimate solution, however, is to be able to connect a reasonable number of sensors all located in the same area to the same cable. This is exactly what fieldbus allows. Finally, fieldbus will replace the 4-20 mA standard, although this will not happen overnight. There are millions of instruments in the world using this standard right now, which does in fact have some advantages. It is simple and well understood. Devices from different suppliers using the 4-20 mA standard can easily operate together (ie. interoperate). More about this later. Ultimately, however, a digital standard is necessary to realize the benefits of fieldbus. Some hybrid protocols, such as HART, are now being used to bridge this gap between analog and digital technology. Using the HART protocol, the analog signal is still used to transmit the process value while a digital value is superimposed on top of the analog value for exchanging additional information with the device.

fieldbus basics

MORE THAN ONE FIELDBUS STANDARD

The term "fieldbus" is in fact a generic term. Unfortunately, there are variety of fieldbuses in use or evolving today. These buses fall into two general areas: sensorbuses and fieldbuses. Sensorbuses are currently used primarily in manufacturing applications or other areas such as building heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) control where such issues as security, intrinsic safety, and
fieldbus Communications Interface (Round Board)

uP

Comm. Stack SW

Instrument Interface fieldbus Transmitter

Protocol Chip RAM Media Access Unit To Host Computer System

To Other fieldbus Devices

fieldbus

FIGURE 1. Communications over a fieldbus require a fieldbus interface device in all of the devices.

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Rosemount Inc.

Linking Device

H1 H1 H1

High Speed fieldbus

Traditional I/O

PLC

H1

H1 H1

Point-to-Point

Multi-drop

Tree

FIGURE 2. Fieldbus allows both low-speed and high-speed communications. Linking devices provide a bridge between low and high speed as well as a path to other bus systems.

critical process control are not a major concern. Sensorbuses often work with PLCs and provide a cost effective solution where a large amount of discrete or simple analog data acquisition and control is taking place. Major sensorbuses today include DeviceNet and LONWorks. Fieldbuses are designed to meet the stringent requirements of the process industries. In addition to the more stringent requirements for connection to the fieldbus itself as mandated by the IEC 1158-2 standard, fieldbuses are designed to include more features in their protocol to address issues of performance, security, and error detection. Depending on the fieldbus used, the protocol provides a large suite of functions at the user layer that facilitate distributing control from the central control system out to the field devices themselves.

Initially, these fieldbus interface devices are small printed circuits that fit into the device or the host computer system. Ultimately, these devices will be little more than a single integrated circuit that can be included in the device. Fieldbus is designed to allow for both low-speed and high-speed communications. Low-speed, or H1 fieldbus, is currently in use in the industry. Highspeed fieldbus is currently under development and will use high-speed Ethernet at a speed of 100 Mbits/s. Linking devices will be developed for bridging between low-speed and high-speed fieldbus segments. These linking devices will also be used to bridge to other bus systems such as DeviceNet which handle high-speed contact I/O.

ACHIEVING INTEROPERABILTY
One of the primary goals of FOUNDATION fieldbus technology is interoperability among different manufacturers. FOUNDATION fieldbus takes a rigorous approach to the area of interoperability using Function Block and Device Description Language (DDL) Technology. Function blocks are provided through the use of a standard function block shell included in the user layer of the stack. These function blocks provide standard functions such as analog input, digital input, PID control, analog output, digital output, etc., that can be included in the field devices.

FOUNDATION FIELDBUS TECHNOLOGY

The rest of this description discusses FOUNDATION fieldbus technology. Other technologies are similar, but not as comprehensive, as FOUNDATION fieldbus. Communications over a fieldbus is achieved by installing a fieldbus interface device in all of the devices communicating over the fieldbus. One end of this interface device connects to the fieldbus and the other end to the sensor electronics or the host computer system.

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fieldbus basics

Currently, there are over 30 standard function blocks supporting most functions ever encountered in the process industries. These function blocks were developed by a team of different manufacturers working together so they do not merely represent the requirements of a single control system supplier. Any company that develops a device can be assured that their device will be able to interoperate with other manufacturers as long as they simply configure their application using these standard function blocks. To simplify the process for smaller companies, a set of standard device profiles have been defined for common devices such as flow meters, temperature transmitters, valves, etc. These companies can simply refer to one of these standard device profiles rather than having to having to define all the individual parameters for their device. Some companies may have special features in their devices that make them unique. Manufacturers can make this unique data available to the system by defining a device description (DD) for the device using the device description language (DDL). The host system can then read this special data from this device, without using any special programming, by using a program called device description services (DDS) to read and interpret the DD. Both function blocks and device descriptions would be of limited use if there was no method of enforcement. Conformance and interoperability test tools are available to allow third party testing of both communication stacks and actual devices themselves to assure that they meet all the requirements for interoperability.

The Fieldbus Foundation will provide a service of registering and verifying both communication stacks and devices to assure that they meet all the requirements for interoperability.

FIELDBUS BENEFITS
Fieldbus is already proving that it can have dramatic benefits for end users. Wiring cost savings of 80 to 90% over conventional installations are being realized. The myriad of configuration and diagnostic information available in fieldbus devices is greatly reducing device commissioning time. This additional diagnostic information often makes it possible to remotely diagnose a field device problem, thus saving a costly trip to the field. Finally, the benefits of moving control functions from the central control room out to the fieldbus devices are resulting in better, more reliable control as well as a less complex centralized control system.

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fieldbus basics

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