Final flow transducer block specification for fieldbus
Fieldbus Foundation announces new specification for standardized flow transducer block with high-performance totalizer function.
The Fieldbus Foundation has announced the release of its all-new Foundation fieldbus Flow Transducer Block Final Specification (FF-908 FS 1.0), which includes a standardized flow transducer block with a high-performance totalizer function. This specification will enable greater consistency in fieldbus device setup, configuration, and maintenance, and make it easier for end users to utilize instruments from a wide range of automation equipment suppliers.
The organization contends that this block structure is one of the primary advantages and differentiators of Foundation technology. Transducer blocks provide valuable diagnostic and maintenance data such as calibration dates. They also provide information regarding the measurement principle used, such as a Coriolis flowmeter or a differential pressure transmitter. The transducer block provides a link between the local I/O blocks required to read sensors and command output hardware from the function blocks.
The specification includes standard definitions for the following flow transducer blocks:
• Standard flow with calibration for basic device access;
• Standard flow with calibration for complex device access; and
• Common practice parameters for extended functionality.
Additionally, the specification provides a schematic of blocks, parameter access, and details for handling status of input parameters. When used in conjunction with a flow transducer block, the new totalizer function block supports the time-critical procedure of totaling different inputs in order to compute flow.
The Fieldbus Foundation has also announced updates to its other transducer block profiles, including temperature and pressure transducer block profiles. Additionally, the Device Description (DD) Library has been updated to integrate these new transducer block capabilities. The DD Library includes standardized source code for all Foundation fieldbus blocks and parameters, making it easy for developers to build DDs for fieldbus instrumentation.
There are many resources available at the organization’s Website. One very useful free resource is the System Engineering Guidelines Manual (AG 181). For more information about the DD Library, please visit the Tools Page. Member companies with active maintenance agreements for these products can obtain the updates free of charge from the Fieldbus Forums.
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Edited by Peter Welander, pwelander(at)cfemedia.com
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