ISA’s Wireless and Networking Track to cover fieldbus implementation

The International Society of Automation (ISA) is proud to announce the features of its Wireless and Networking Track at the ISA Automation Week 2010, which starts from October 4 to 7 at Westin Galleria, Houston, Texas.

The Wireless and Networking Track will cover fieldbus implementation, fiber optic solutions, wireless and the infrastructure, and radio and other types of data communication. Experts from Fieldbus Foundation, Exxon/Mobil, Bechtel and Hart Communication Foundation are among the presenters of the Wireless and Networking Track.

Session titles of the Wireless and Networking Track include Convergence of Standards and Organizations, Project Management for Wireless and Networking, Wireless Technologies for Process Control, Moving the Data – Backhaul, Common Installation Challenges, Asset Management – How to Handle and Use the Data, and Future Direction of Wireless and Networking in Process Control.

“ISA’s annual conference continues to offer the best venue for wireless professionals to meet. Industry’s brightest professionals across all functions will meet in Houston, Texas, to share their expertise and experiences. An abundance of knowledge is available here that can be applied to the attendee’s career right away,” said Gerald Cockrell, ISA Automation Week Program Committee Co-chair and 2009 ISA President of Indiana State University.

The 2010 ISA Automation Week, which will be held for two and a half days of sessions, is a technical conference that includes two keynote addresses, social events and networking. It will be held in a 10,000-sq-ft exhibit area featuring more than 100 exhibitors.

Fieldbus Foundation’s updated Technical Specification

The Fieldbus Foundation (www.fieldbus.org) is proud to announce the release of the updated version of FOUNDATION fieldbus technical specification. The latest specification includes guidance supporting the development of host systems and fieldbus devices that use advanced field diagnostics as per the NAMUR NE107 recommendation, and support for the upcoming H1 ITK (Interoperability Test Kit) 6.0.

The specifications from Fieldbus Foundation describe the open, non-proprietary, FOUNDATION fieldbus protocol. This technology provides an all-digital, multi-drop, two-way communications link among automation systems and smart field devices. It serves as the network for instruments utilized in process automation and has the capability to distribute the control application across the network.

Stephen Mitschke, Fieldbus Foundation Manager – Fieldbus Products, said the latest FOUNDATION fieldbus specification reflects the increasing demand in the industry for NE107 field diagnostics. “Field diagnostics, as implemented in FOUNDATION fieldbus, standardizes how today’s intelligent devices communicate regardless of the vendor. This technology ensures that the right message will be delivered to the right person in the plant, at the right time. Operators, engineers and technicians not only receive detailed information, but it is provided in a categorized manner that makes data easier to assess and act upon,” said Mitschke.

“The updated specification also defines the minimum requirements for testing of hosts employing FOUNDATION for Safety Instrumented Functions, which is an ideal platform for advancing standards-based solutions for plant SIFs. FF-SIF enables process end users to realize significant reductions in their total cost of ownership by extending fieldbus benefits into plant safety systems.”

FOUNDATION fieldbus Specification Version 2010.1 features updates to the Function Block Specification (FF-892, FF-891 and FF-890) and CFF Specification (FF-103) to reflect the changes implemented in the Interoperability Test Kit (ITK) 6.0, which is set for release soon. ITK 6.0 features software components built with VC9, support for testing Custom Profiled Function Blocks and USB interface hardware compatibility available from National Instruments.

National Instruments introduces latest products for connecting NI LabVIEW to Industrial Networks

National Instruments (www.ni.com) is proud to announce the release of new interfaces for DeviceNet, PROFIBUS and FOUNDATION Fieldbus that allow industrial control engineers to connect embedded systems, LabVIEW and programmable automation controllers (“PACs”) to existing industrial networks. The latest interfaces give engineers the ability to add advanced control, high-speed measurements and analysis, data logging and Web connectivity to existing applications so as to improve the quality and performance of their machines. The latest NI CompactRIO PROFIBUS C Series modules connect NI Single-Board RIO and CompactRIO to PROFIBUS DP networks as slaves or masters, which add custom control and high-performance measurements to systems that have been standardized on PROFIBUS. National Instruments also announced the new one-port FOUNDATION Fieldbus H1 interface for USB, as well as a pair of DeviceNet master boards for PCI and PXI.

Currently, PROFIBUS has over 30 million installed nodes around the world and is a leader in industrial networks for connecting programmable logic controllers (“PLCs”), drives, sensors and I/O in automation and industrial systems. The new C Series modules can make it possible to connect NI Single-Board RIO and CompactRIO PACs embedded systems to PROFIBUS industrial network and add custom field-programmable gate array (“FPGA”) logic, high-performance measurements and advanced analysis to existing systems. Engineers now can easily retrofit and upgrade existing systems and machines by using the new PROFIBUS modules to quickly add LabVIEW graphical software and flexible, high-performance NI hardware to accomplish custom and high-speed tasks that traditional PLCs cannot solve.

Foundation Fieldbus is a two-way digital communication protocol normally used in process automation. The latest NI USB-8486 is a one-port FOUNDATION Fieldbus H1 interface that gives data control, logging and configuration in distributed control system and HMI applications.

Bridging Modbus-TCP and Profibus using Anybus X-gateway™ from HMS Industrial Networks

HMS Industrial Networks (www.anybus.com) is proud to announce the new Anybus X-gateway, which enables system integrators to transfer I/O data between two different programmable logic controller (“PLC”) networks and systems. The new X-gateway is a stand-alone gateway which can be configured to allow plant-floor devices on a Profibus network communicate with other devices on a Modbus-TCP network and vice versa. It has typical applications with mixed usage of Schneider Electric and Siemens, ABB or GE PLCs. Automobile manufacturing plants, for example, are integrated with Profibus based segments into industrial Ethernet-based control applications, the popular Modbus-TCP protocol.

The compact X-gateway is a device for 24 V industrial power supply and standard DIN rail mounting. It operates as a master on the Profibus network and as a server (“slave”) on the Modbus-TCP side. The Profibus master functionality is configured using HMS Anybus NetTool for Profibus, a powerful, easy to use Windows-based configuration tool which comes free with the X-gateway. When the initial configuration is downloaded into the X-gateway, it transfers up to 512 byte of output and 512 byte of input data transparently between Profibus and Modbus-TCP. Up to 124 Profibus slaves can also be connected to the gateway. The X-gateway incorporates a powerful integrated web server on the Modbus-TCP network that supports web-based visualization and remote diagnostics. An OPC server is also included in X-gateway’s scope of delivery. The X-gateway’s Modbus-TCP and Profibus communication interfaces have a certification for full compliance to respective protocol standards.

The new Anybus X-gateway family consists of more than 200 proven, ready-to-use and robust gateways targeted to connect almost all of the possible combinations of two industrial networks. The product family can support 17 different industrial Ethernet and fieldbus networks, including Profinet, EtherNet/IP, CC-Link, CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus and many more. All versions operate the same way and they give a flexible standard solution to connect two industrial networks.

New Pepperl+Fuchs Segment Checker design software for easy and quick validation of Profibus and Fieldbus PA Segments

Pepperl+Fuchs (www.pepperl-fuchs.us) is proud to announce the new Segment Checker version 1.20. The unique and easy-to-use Segment Checker is a tool use for validating the design of all Profibus PA and Foundation fieldbus segments, as well as hazardous areas. Machine builders can simply drag and drop components to the project window, and edit the attributes to make a fieldbus segment. The latest to this version 1.20 are the enhanced calculations for fieldbarriers and FieldConnex fieldbus products for fieldbarriers utilized in the High Power Trunk method. Moreover, Segment Checker 1.20 allows machine builders to export a product in a graphic format for different media.

The new Segment Checker version 1.20 features project-export functionality, new products, and enhanced calculations to further simplify fieldbus validation and design.

“Segment Checker automatically calculates the voltage drop and load current on a fieldbus segment for any given configuration. The user simply chooses the explosion protection method such as FISCO, Entity, FNICO and High Power Trunk, or the safe area, and segment design error checking makes clear whether the desired configuration is workable,” said Brian Traczyk, Product Manager of Pepperl+Fuchs.

The new Segment Checker allows machine builders to intuitively check their operational parameters to validate fieldbus PA segment architecture. Also, it allows machine builders to print, archive and display an entire design, and import the field devices from its library, or create additional devices by using the “device editor” feature. Moreover, machine builders can click on a device for straight access to the most recent product and technical information on the Pepperl+Fuchs website. Its cables can be tagged and attributes defined by the machine builder. The Spur cable’s length can be set to a defined number as well, removing the need of repetitive editing in larger projects.

Farmers use CC-Link fieldbus control to make money from wastes

German farmers are using CC-Link (Control and Communication Link) fieldbus control system to produce power from biogas through slurry extraction. The biogas is transferred to fuel cogeneration plants and is used to heat power machinery, buildings or export it to the grid.

Dreyer & Bosse (D&B) , a German power plant specialist, provides autonomous cogeneration units using CC-Link open fieldbus network technology for monitoring functions and data communications.

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Leine & Linde Offers Robust Encoder with DeviceNet™

Strängnäs, Sweden – Leine & Linde is now introducing the availability of DeviceNet™ in the Leine & Linde 600 series, the highly robust ø 58 mm fieldbus encoder series. This support for fieldbus interfaces extends the range of applications for this already useful absolute rotary encoder.

This Leine & Linde series supports 13-bit singleturn or 25-bit multiturn with screw terminal or miniature M12 connection. Mechanically, various shafted- and hollow-shafted versions are available. The DeviceNet™ encoder supports encoder profile revision 2 and the functionality has been fully tested in compliance with the ODVA conformance test.

Overall, fieldbus technology is rapidly gaining acceptance and integration into automation applications worldwide. Based on network topology, system requirements and performance, various types of fieldbus systems are available, all developed and supported by individual standardization organizations. The key principle of fieldbus technology is to enhance device functionality, achieve communication transparency, simplify and standardize installations, as well as limiting the installation and maintenance costs. Sensors, like encoders, with support for various fieldbus interfaces have been available for several years and are increasingly gaining in acceptance and installed market share.

www.leinelinde.com

Murrelektronik’s Cube67 Sets Benchmark in Automation Systems

Duluth, Georgia – Murrelektronik’s Cube67 is a modular and flexible field bus automation system. Through a newly developed extension, the module provides more power to the bus system to assist in the operation of high power demand valves and other devices.

Murrelektronik Cube67 is a modular and flexible field bus automation system that considerably reduces electrical and mechanical assembly time.

With 16 multifunctional 1.6 A input or output points and an additional 16 output points with up to 2A each, Cube67 is suited for applications like hydraulic valve management. The resulting increase in power coupled with the dual configuration options of the ports allows double valves to be conveniently connected to one port on the module.

Cube67 processes up to 32 signals in a compact and robust package, allowing for flexibility in circuit design and expansion. Two separate load voltage circuits with up to 9 A can be realized via every 7/8” connector. As a result, four voltage circuits with 9A each can be realized within this single module.

Murrelektronik designed the Cube67 as an extension module, ensuring that the system can be directly connected to additional modules for increased I/O management under one bus node.

www.murrinc.com