AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 23, 2002 -- The Fieldbus Foundation recently announced it has registered a fourth High Speed Ethernet (HSE) linking device. Softing's FieldGate FF joins currently registered HSE linking devices from ABB, Emerson Process Management and Smar International.
According to the Fieldbus Foundation's director of technology development, David A. Glanzer, the registration of an additional HSE linking device by a major European controls supplier is evidence of the growing worldwide support for FOUNDATION fieldbus.
"The Fieldbus Foundation's H1 technology is being adopted by an overwhelming number of end users in the continuous process industries, where it is recognized the defacto fieldbus standard. Our HSE development is now providing an open, interoperable, Ethernet-based fieldbus solution to the global automation market," said Glanzer. "With the proliferation of registered HSE linking devices, end users can implement an open, integrated architecture for information integration. The technology provides the 'Freedom to Choose' and the 'Power to Integrate.'"
Eduard Himmelsdorfer, technical director of Softing AG, remarked, "Softing has been active in the Fieldbus Foundation from the very beginning, and numerous registered FOUNDATION fieldbus devices and host systems from leading manufacturers already use our protocol stacks and function blocks."
He continued, "With FieldGate FF, Softing is now offering its first fieldbus product specifically intended for the end user. The successful registration of this device represents an important milestone in our introduction of a new series of FOUNDATION fieldbus products and services."
HSE linking devices, which serve as link masters for H1 (31.25 kbit/s) field device segments connected to the HSE network running at speeds of 100 Mbit/s or higher, are a crucial component in FOUNDATION technology. H1 is optimized for traditional process control applications, while HSE, which employs low-cost, Commercial Off-the-shelf (COTS) Ethernet equipment, is designed for high-performance control applications and plant information integration. HSE provides the key to optimum enterprise performance by 'flattening' the network architecture. The combined H1/HSE fieldbus solution allows for full integration of sensor, process/discrete control, and hybrid/batch control subsystems with higher level, supervisory applications.
The rigorous and comprehensive HSE registration process, like H1 registration, ensures that linking devices from different manufacturers will interoperate with each other and with HSE host systems. In addition to passing interoperability tests, suppliers must provide evidence that their Device Under Test (DUT) fieldbus physical interface conforms to the FOUNDATION fieldbus Physical Layer Conformance Test Specification (FF-830), and that the DUT contains an unmodified, Foundation-registered communications stack per FF-523. The Fieldbus Foundation also performs HSE LD testing on the DUT per a Test Case Selector (TCS) file, and verifies its Capability File (CF).
Once all registration requirements have been met, the foundation issues a Device Registration Agreement for the registered device and makes its CF available for distribution. If a registered device's User Layer or communications stack is later modified (any electronic hardware or software change), it must be re-tested and re-registered through the device registration process.
Information concerning registered FOUNDATION fieldbus products can be found on the Fieldbus Foundation's worldwide web site - FIELDBUS ONLINE - at www.fieldbus.org, or by contacting the foundation at (512) 794-8890.
About Softing
Softing is an international supplier of control and communication technology. Fieldbus technology and Internet-based control systems constitute the focal points in the Industrial Automation segment.
A wide variety of products as well as development and application services complete the portfolio. The headquarters of Softing AG are in Haar near Munich, Germany. More than 180 employees, subsidiaries in Brescia (Italy) and Boston (Massachusetts, USA), and numerous system integration and distribution partners serve the markets around the world. Visit them on the web at www.softing.com.
About the Fieldbus Foundation
The Fieldbus Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation consisting of over 180 process and manufacturing automation companies worldwide whose major purpose is to provide an open and neutral environment for the development of a single, international, interoperable fieldbus.
In this environment, end users, manufacturers, universities and research organizations are working together to develop the technology, provide development tools, support and training, coordinate field trials and demonstrations, and enable product interoperability. Visit their web site at www.fieldbus.org.
