FDI specification publicly released

Control Engineering International: FDI Cooperation LLC announced public release of the Field Device Integration (FDI) specification, making it possible for automation suppliers to develop products and host systems compatible with FDI. A common Integrated Development Environment (IDE) will help device manufacturers create high-quality, reliable, and interoperable FDI Device Packages for Foundation Fieldbus, HART, Profibus, and Profinet devices, as reported in Control Engineering Europe.

By Control Engineering Europe November 24, 2014

Public release of the Field Device Integration (FDI) specification by FDI Cooperation LLC makes it possible for automation suppliers to develop products and host systems compatible with FDI.

As part of the release, which coincided with the NAMUR annual meeting, the FDI specification (IEC 62769) and the latest Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL) specifications (IEC 61804) are being handed over to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for the next phase—the Final Draft International Standard—in the international standardization process.

The core of FDI technology is the FDI Device Package that includes everything a host system needs to integrate an intelligent device. With FDI, each device is represented by one FDI Device Package that can scale according to the complexities and requirements of each device. 

FDI Device Package

Each FDI Device Package contains a mandatory Electronic Device Description (EDD) that provides parameter definitions, structure for the parameters for context-specific views, and automated work processes for device procedures such as calibration. FDI Device Packages may also include user interface plug-ins, and software components that support advanced device setup and diagnostic functions. Product manuals, documentation, images, electronic certifications, and other attachments may also be delivered in the FDI Device Package.

FDI Device Packages are designed to make it easier for automation suppliers to develop and integrate intelligent devices because they only need to create a single, unified FDI Device Package for each intelligent device that can work with all host systems and tools, reducing overall development costs while preserving and expanding existing functionality.

Users should also find it easier to manage information from intelligent devices with a single device package, instead of juggling different technologies and investing significant capital in custom integration efforts to connect multiple technology platforms.

Interoperability

A common integrated development environment (IDE) will help device manufacturers create high-quality, reliable, and interoperable FDI Device Packages for Foundation Fieldbus, HART, Profibus, and Profinet devices in a consistent manner. The IDE will include a reference run-time environment that allows device developers to execute and test their FDI Device Package against a standard implementation to ensure product quality and interoperability.

The cross-protocol single set of FDI Common Host Components are the core for implementing host systems like device management tools, asset management tools, and process automation systems. FDI Common Host Components allow for rapid development and ensure FDI Device Packages behave consistently across different systems. FDI Host Components fully support legacy EDD libraries to protect end-user investments.

The Integrated Development Environment and the Common Host Components can be ordered at FieldComm Group starting in first quarter 2015.

– Posted Nov. 7 at Control Engineering Europe website; edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager, Control Engineering, mhoske@cfemedia.com.

ONLINE extra

www.controlengeurope.com 

www.fdi-cooperation.com 

See additional Control Engineering International articles and see related FDI articles below.