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.