Plant of the Year for communications and connectivity.

FieldComm Group, the global industrial automation standards organisation defining open, interoperable standards for industrial communication, device management, and enterprise connectivity, has named SRF Limited’s Dahej facility as the recipient of its 2025 Plant of the Year Award. The recognition honors SRF’s outstanding achievements in digital transformation, operational excellence, and innovation using FieldComm Group technologies.

The Plant of the Year Award recognises end users that demonstrate exceptional use of Field-Comm Group techno-logies, including HART technologies, Foundation Fieldbus, FDI, FDT/DTM, PA-DIM, & Ethernet-APL, to improve operations, reduce costs, and increase availability. SRF Dahej joins an elite group of global facilities advancing the future of industrial automation.

Located in Gujarat (IND), SRF Dahej has become one of the world’s most advanced specialty chemical and fluorochemical complexes. By deploying HART®, WirelessHART®, and FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus technologies across its 300-acre site, SRF has integrated more than 40,000 smart field devices, enabling seamless communication, advanced diagnostics, and readiness for IIoT and Ethernet-APL connectivity.

“SRF’s digital transformation journey reflects their deep commitment to innovation and continuous improvement,” said Ted Masters, President and CEO of FieldComm Group. “Their systematic adoption of open communication standards has delivered measurable results, enhancing safety, improving reliability, and achieving multi-million-dollar savings. This exemplary use of FieldComm Group technologies to drive operational excellence is exactly what earned SRF Dahej the 2025 Plant of the Year Award.”

SRF’s modernisation began in 2010 with the adoption of HART technology and has since expanded into a comprehensive digital ecosystem built on FOUNDATION Fieldbus, WirelessHART, and Instrument Asset Management Systems (IAMS). These initiatives have delivered more than $10.7 million in cumulative savings through improved uptime, faster commissioning, and predictive maintenance strategies.

SRF’s adoption of open, interoperable standards has transformed its approach to lifecycle management, asset performance, and sustainability. The plant’s roadmap extends to 2030 with plans for AI-driven analytics, predictive maintenance, and full Ethernet-APL integration across greenfield and brownfield operations.

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@FieldCommGroup @srflimited #PAuto #Standard #India

Single device integration for process and factory automation.

FieldComm Group’s Strategic Integration Committee (SIC), composed of leading automation industry suppliers and Standards Development Organisations (SDOs), has announced the official timeline for releasing the updated Field Device Integration (FDI) Specification. This milestone marks a critical step toward unifying device integration across process, hybrid, and factory automation.

Following the transfer of FDT/DTM assets to FieldComm Group in 2024, the organisation has significantly accelerated its efforts toward unified device integration. The resulting roadmap is a product of coordinated work by the SIC and specialised working groups. Comprised of board-level companies from FieldComm Group along with key leaders from OPC Foundation, ODVA, and PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI), the SIC has led the harmonisation of FDI and FDT technologies. This collaboration aims to deliver a unified, intuitive, and scalable device integration standard that addresses the evolving needs of modern manufacturing, helping both end users and vendors.

Key enhancements in the updated FDI Specification:

• Compliance, incorporating the requirements of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA)
• Unified device integration standard for process and factory automation
• Support for legacy systems, enabling modernisation without infrastructure replacement
• Real-time OT/IT connectivity through a common information model (PA-DIM)
• Support for modern platforms and development tools
• Empowering intelligent device and lifecycle management with protocol tunneling support, also known as nested communications

FDI specification timeline for migration:

• End of 2026: Release of the updated FDI Specification
• End of 2027: Deployment of the updated FDI Developer Toolkit
• 2029: Market availability of registered FDI-enabled systems and devices

"Today’s industrial systems are more complex than ever, yet this complexity must not compromise interoperability," said Steve Biegacki, Chair of the Strategic Integration Committee and former Managing Director of the FDT Group. "Our goal is to deliver a unified device integration solution that enhances data interoperability with OT/IT systems while supporting innovative features for modern manufacturing. This approach also provides a practical migration path, safeguarding existing investments and preparing the industry for future advancements."

“As a co-owner of the FDI specification, the OPC Foundation is committed to robust and interoperable device integration for OPC UA users and fully supports the harmonization of FDI and FDT technologies to achieve this goal,” said Stefan Hoppe, President of the OPC Foundation.

“ODVA is pleased to support the harmonization of FDI and FDT technologies to enable enhanced device integration interoperability for users of EtherNet/IP,” said Al Beydoun, President and Executive Director of ODVA.

“PI appreciates that the FieldComm Group initiated the valuable discussions to determine the need for merging FDI and FDT, taking into account the needs of interested companies, as well as the technologies of the four participating standards development associations,” said Dietmar Bohn, Executive Director of PI.

This update will enable manufacturers to transition toward more intelligent, responsive operations, unlocking the full value of industrial data and modern automation architectures.

FieldComm Group encourages automation stakeholders, vendors, integrators, and end users alike, to engage in this transition and follow key milestones.

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@FieldCommGroup @FDTGroup @OPCFoundation @ProfibusUK #PAuto #Standard

Fieldbus-independent software applications strengthened.

FieldComm Group has become the twenty third member of the PACTware Consortium. The PACTware application is now available for download through FieldComm Group. When users install PACTware, all currently registered HART Communication Protocol FDI Device Packages will also be installed.

“PACTware has been used for years by engineers to configure individual devices that support FDT/DTM technology. We wanted to provide this same level of support for devices using FDI Device Packages. With PACTware 6.1 support of FDI technology, this desire is now realized,” stated Paul Sereiko, Director Marketing and Product Strategy at FieldComm Group. “By including registered HART FDI Device Packages in FieldComm Group’s PACTware download we’ve made it very easy for end users to configure devices with FDI and evaluate FDI specific features like User Interface Plugins (UIPs).”

With the support of FDI technology in PACTware 6.1, PACTware becomes one of the few manufacturer- and fieldbus-independent software applications to support the two leading device integration technologies, FDI and FDT/DTM, within a single tool.

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@FieldCommGroup @FDTGroup #PAuto #PACTware

PA-DIM Working Group introduces extended standard.

Standard expands to support analyzer device types and data modeling extensions, enhancing interoperability for process applications

The co-owners of Process Automation Device Information Model (PA-DIM), including FDT Group, FieldComm Group, ISA 100 WCI, NAMUR, ODVA, OPC Foundation, PROFIBUS and PROFINET International, VDMA, and ZVEI, today announced the release of the PA-DIM Version 1.1 specification. This release, a testament to collective efforts, includes expanded device type support for process analyzers and an enhanced basic hierarchy structure with new extensions, benefiting the industrial user and vendor manufacturing community.

The PA-DIM specification aims to improve information standardization for process automation applications. All co-owners work together to support a unified information model that seamlessly integrates OT data exchange with IT systems and other higher-level applications. This model includes core parameters, capabilities, status, and diagnostic data based on the NAMUR Open Architecture (NOA) initiative. It allows users to access and interpret device information consistently, regardless of the fieldbus protocol, device type, or manufacturer, enhancing Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) architectures.

With the release of PA-DIM Version 1.1, the standard has been enhanced to introduce new extensions and features, further empowering users with comprehensive device integration capabilities.

Key highlights of the PA-DIM Version 1.1 specification include:

- Expanded device-type support for process analyzers, including Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Continuous Gas, and pH. This extension broadens the scope of the standard, enabling seamless integration and management of analytical instruments within process automation systems.
- Enhancement of the basic hierarchy structure to include new extensions such as device condition sets, signal condition sets, and signal calibration. These extensions give users greater flexibility and functionality in representing device information, including attributes such as type, timestamp, and calibrated values.

PA-DIM facilitates various applications, such as:

- Providing/receiving information to/from HMIs, information apps, and reporting apps.
- Supporting inventory management and remote monitoring applications.
- Enabling real-time control applications, such as reading process values and setting parameters.
- Device configuration and parameterization.
- Configuring device security and monitoring its current hardening status.
- Providing information for device dashboards.

Frank Fengler, ABB and Chairperson of the PA-DIM Working Group expressed his excitement about the release of PA-DIM Version 1.1. He stated, "With the release of PA-DIM Version 1.1, we are thrilled to introduce new extensions and features that will further improve interoperability and standardization across the industry, empowering users with harmonized solutions for process instrumentation and process analyzers with field-to-cloud semantic interoperability in context. We believe these new features and extensions hold immense potential for your operations."

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@FieldCommGroup @FDTGroup @ISA_Automation @OPCFoundation @ProfibusUK #PAuto #Standards

Aquisition to drive intelligent device management innovation and standardisation.

The FieldComm Group has completed the acquisition of FDT Group's assets including the FDT/DTM technology standards*. This significant transaction underscores FieldComm Group's dedication to addressing industrial device management challenges across the entire industrial automation market, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency for vendors and end users.

With a comprehensive suite of technologies including Information Models, the Field Device Integration (FDI) standard, and well-established communication protocols like HART, HART-IP, WirelessHART, and Foundation Fieldbus, FieldComm Group's market offerings serve the entire process automation sector. The addition of FDT/DTM technology, a widely deployed device integration standard across process and factory automation markets, adds new technologies to the portfolio, completely addressing the industrial automation hierarchy.

“As digitalization transforms the automation industry by breaking down barriers between operation technology and information technology, the integration of factory and process automation devices becomes both more important and more difficult. Our aim as a standards organization is to add intelligence to the device integration process, with an ultimate goal of making it simpler,” stated Ted Masters, President and CEO of FIeldComm Group. “Ends users and suppliers will benefit greatly from this acquisition by having a single standards development organization responsible for the full spectrum of device integration from the simplest sensor to the most complex field instrument.”

Millions of already installed devices in the field use both FDI and FDT technology for intelligent device management. Leveraging combined resources and expertise, FieldComm Group is now better-positioned to address the industry's evolving needs, improve interoperability, and streamline integration and lifecycle management procedures for the future.

As part of the acquisition, FieldComm Group announces the formation of a Strategic Integration Committee (SIC), under the leadership of industry expert Steve Biegacki, former Managing Director of the FDT Group. The SIC will drive advancement of integration standards, including FDT/DTM and FDI, ensuring proactive management and maintenance of these technologies. The committee will initially be composed of FieldComm Group Board-level company representatives, with planned expansion to include representatives from other Standards Development Organizations (SDOs). The SIC aims to collaboratively work to preserve the existing installed base and chart a standardization roadmap for a unified device management platform, ensuring interoperability across existing protocols as well as future technology evolution, including OPC UA FX.

Our focus is on unified device configuration and a migration path to the future," said Steve Biegacki. "At FieldComm Group, we are committed to seamless integration and enhanced operational efficiency for the entire automation industry."

"We are thrilled to welcome FDT/DTM technology into the FieldComm family," continued Ted Masters, "This acquisition marks a significant leap towards a unified integration standard for the industry. With Steve Biegacki leading the SIC, we are ready to steer the industry towards a more integrated and efficient future."

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* See also Significant co-operation announcement by standards-based entities. (23/4/2024)

@FieldCommGroup @FDTGroup #PAuto #Standards

Significant co-operation announcement by standards-based entities.

After years of close collaboration, FieldComm Group® and FDT Group™ the leading global standards-based non-profit entities have executed a term sheet to combine resources into a single business focused on creating device integration technology standards and products serving the user and vendor communities of industrial process, hybrid, and factory automation.

This term sheet outlines a plan to create a single business aimed at advancing integration technology and harmonizing control system applications across multiple protocol topologies supporting both process and factory automation. Subject to the completion of a definitive agreement, the new business will continue to support all existing FieldComm Group and FDT Group technologies, including Field Device Integration™ (FDI™), Field Device Tool / Device Type Manager™ (FDT/DTM™), Process Automation Device Information Model (PA-DIM®), HART®, and FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus. FieldComm Group will acquire all FDT® technology and resources, and an independent Strategic Integration Committee will be formed to guide future directions for protocol-independent device integration technologies.

This strengthened relationship represents a significant step forward in streamlining process automation and factory manufacturing device management, enhancing interoperability throughout the industry. The unified organization is pioneering a transformative vision where industrial device management seamlessly bridges the present and future, ensuring support for the current installed base while facilitating evolution towards harmonized technologies.

The new Strategic Integration Committee focused on a protocol-agnostic device integration approach will foster alliances with major field protocol organizations, including CC-Link Partner Association, EtherCAT Technology Group, FieldComm Group, ODVA, OPC Foundation, Modbus, Profibus/Profinet International, and others, spearheading innovations to improve engineering efficiency, plant uptime, and user satisfaction across various industrial automation fields. Within this strategic committee, cutting-edge technologies, tools, and certifications will streamline cost-effective adoption for members while providing a single device package compatible with any operating system that will enable effortless data access from field devices to cloud, edge, and mobile applications. This initiative promotes comprehensive integration between Information Technology and Operational Technology (IT/OT) systems.

“This collaboration is a strategic move aimed at providing the best service to our members and the industry at large,” emphasized Ted Masters, President and Chief Executive Officer of FieldComm Group. 

Steve Biegacki, Managing Director of FDT Group, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that “the enhanced harmonization of standards and technologies will significantly empower end users and manufacturers in their quest to achieve out-of-the-box Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) capabilities across their systems.”

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@FieldCommGroup @FDTGroup #PAuto #Standards

Refrigerant manufacturer is plant of the year.

FieldComm Group has announced that the Daikin Industries Ltd. Plant in Kashima, Japan, has been selected the 2023 Plant of the Year*. This is the 21st annual awarding of this unique international honor, presented to end user companies in the process automation industry to recognize the exceptional and valuable application of FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus, FDI™ and/or HART® Communication technologies.

The Daikin Kashima plant produces a wide range of fluorochemical products used in air conditioning equipment, automobiles, semiconductor production, and other applications. Advanced digital technologies have been applied at this site as part of a digital transformation (DX) initiative. The team has implemented HART-enabled instrumentation, and associated digital diagnostic tools and predictive analytics, all combined with artificial intelligence (AI), so the facility can transition from traditional time-based maintenance to more effective condition-based maintenance.

By first learning normal plant behavior from historized big data, the AI system can then perform nonlinear regression analysis on live data using a neural network, enabling the anomaly detection and prediction needed to address potential problems and avoid unexpected shutdowns.

Many valve positioners, pressure transmitters, and Coriolis flowmeters were already HART-enabled, and the team used Fast Ethernet-based HART converters to access other equipment, along with various DCS/PLC systems. Daikin officials point out that success of AI depends on the accuracy of available data, and HART devices made a difference in this regard.

“The HART signals of each device are wonderful data packed with the know-how of each device manufacturer. By having AI learn this along with various process data in the plant, it's more likely to be able to learn various signs of equipment anomalies,” said Masumi Yoshida of the Daikin Industries engineering department.

Condition-based maintenance at this plant over the past three years has reduced maintenance costs by an estimated US $400,000, and the team is looking to expand the technology to many more production sites around the world.

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* A complete list of recipients and their success stories are available here. 

• See also Process Plant of the Year (6/7/2023)

@FieldCommGroup #PAuto #Communications #Japan

Process plant of the year!

FieldComm Group is actively seeking qualified nominees for the 21st annual Plant of the Year Award. End users and manufacturers from all world areas are encouraged to nominate their plant or their customer’s plant for this prestigious award. The FieldComm Group Plant of the Year is the only international award presented to end user companies in the process automation industry to recognize the exceptional and valuable application of FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus, FDI™ and / or HART® Communication technologies.

Previous recipients include Wanhua Chemical Group (China), HPCL-Mittal Energy (India), Dow Chemical - Texas (USA), Chevron Phillips Chemical  (USA), MRPL (India), Shell (Australia), MOL (Hungry), Nucor Steel (USA), Dow Chemical (USA), Monsanto (USA), Shell (Canada), Mitsubishi Chemical (Japan), PDVSA (Venezuela), Statoil (Norway), Sasol (South Africa), Clariant (Germany), DuPont (USA). Complete list of recipients.

“Selection of the Plant of the Year is based on a plant’s use of our field communication and integration technologies - not on the size or location of the installation. We are seeking a plant that has taken the capabilities of FDI™, FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus, HART®, HART-IP® or WirelessHART® enabled devices beyond configuration and calibration,” says Ted Masters, FieldComm Group President and CEO. “It can be a plant that is using real-time device diagnostics and process information integrated with control, information, asset management, safety systems or any other system to lower operating costs, reduce unplanned downtime and improve operations.”

The 2023 Plant of the Year winner will receive an award plaque to display at their facility and an official award presentation by FieldComm Group Management at an event held at the plant site. 

Additional winner benefits include:

• Global industry recognition for its excellence via press releases and articles in Control Magazine and other publications (with final review approvals provided to awardee)
• An intelligent device best practice benchmark report covering technology adoption, operational readiness and organizational maturity
• A Microsoft Surface or a financially equivalent donation to a charity of your choice
• One year free membership with FieldComm Group ($1,000 value!)
• One opportunity to receive the award and present at a major industry event at no cost to the awardee
• Recognition in the FieldComm Group Insider e-newsletter, a magazine supplement to Control, and on the FieldComm Group website

This globally recognized award has been presented to plants demonstrating significant savings and benefits by making a digital transformation utilizing the information available in their smart measuring devices improving reliability, quality, safety or compliance.

@FieldCommGroup #PAuto #Communications

Towards an instrumentation device profile for OPC UA Field eXchange.

The OPC Foundation (OPCF) and the FieldComm Group (FCG) are collaborating to drive multi-vendor interoperability of instrumentation devices based on OPC UA and the extensions for the field level, named OPC UA FX (Field eXchange). This development will incorporate preliminary work by both organizations. This will ensure that the market will have only one single standard. The aim is to provide an interoperable interface between PLC / DCS and instrumentation devices, such as transmitters, instruments, and actuators. The solution shall support different industries such as oil & gas, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, water & wastewater, and pulp & paper.

To begin this work, a new OPC UA Instrumentation Working Group is being hosted by the OPC Foundation, under the leadership of the Field Level Communications (FLC) Initiative. Participation in the working group is open to members of the OPC Foundation, as well as corporate entity members of the FieldComm Group. Many well-known manufacturers in the process and factory automation industries are represented within this working group to ensure a uniform, worldwide, and coordinated standard for OPC UA-based instrumentation devices.

In order to achieve inter-vendor interoperability of instrumentation devices, the working group will add to the UAFX base specifications the definition of interfaces and behaviors which are typical for instrumentation devices, including:

• commonly used interfaces and data types for the industries mentioned above including functional safety,
• diagnostic information specific to instrumentation devices,
• operation modes of instrumentation devices,
• state machines and timing models for instrumentation-specific functionality, where appropriate.

The new instrumentation device profile specification will use PubSub and can be combined with different underlying communication protocols (e.g. UDP/IP) and physical layers (e.g. Ethernet-APL) to support all relevant use cases in discrete and process manufacturing, including safety instrumentation based on OPC UA Safety and deterministic data exchange based on Ethernet Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN), where appropriate.

The Instrumentation Facet shall be complementary to the jointly-owned OPC 30081 / FCG TS10098 “OPC UA for Process Automation Devices (PA-DIM)” and other Companion Specifications. The working group will also strive to manage overlap with other information models already released or under development. Examples include, the models for “Calibration” (a Harmonization sub-group) and “Laboratory and Analytical Devices” (LADS working group).

Thoralf Schulz (ABB), Chairperson FCG says: “OPC Foundation and FieldComm Group joining forces in the Instrumentation Working Group is a significant milestone. This collaboration unifies separate volunteer initiatives previously underway in each organization, and creates the basis for a broadly accepted single standard. It will harmonize device integration while supporting the transition of existing device technologies and their installations into the future. Combined with FDI-based device management and the Advanced Physical Layer (APL) for the lower-layer connectivity, this is a major milestone towards a harmonized data exchange infrastructure, which will benefit both users of process automation as well as vendors of process automation products and solutions.” 

Thomas Hahn (Siemens), Vice President OPCF says: “Digitization needs interoperability. Interoperability needs standards. Extending the OPC UA framework to include an information model for instrumentation devices is important to ensure cross-vendor interoperability and common semantics. No single organization can achieve this alone! Therefore, cross-organizational collaboration is essential - from process automation to discrete manufacturing, from customer to provider, from machine tool builder to solution partners, and so on. Through this collaboration, an important step towards meeting the needs of our customers and the industry is achieved.”

“Extending the OPC UA Framework with an information model for instrumentation devices is important to ensure – in combination with OPC UA Safety, Deterministic Communication, Motion and Ethernet-APL/SPE – cross-vendor interoperability and common semantics, not only for the Controller-to-Controller and Controller-to-Device use cases in Factory and Process Automation, but also supporting OPC UA as a fully scalable technology from the sensor across all levels to MES / ERP and also to the cloud,” stated Peter Lutz, Director FLC Initiative at OPC Foundation

@OPCFoundation @FieldCommGroup #PAuto #Communications

Test and Registration Services for Ethernet-APL.

FieldComm Group provides conformance testing and registration for leading industrial instrumentation technologies for the process automation sector, now Ethernet-APL solutions join the portfolio of registered products with the availability of physical layer conformance testing for Ethernet-APL infrastructure products — power switches and field switches.

Ethernet-APL is an enhanced physical layer for single-pair Ethernet (SPE) based on 10BASET1L. This new physical layer provides end-users with a resilient, isolated and powered Ethernet network for process automation. Ethernet-APL enabled field devices connect directly to this network. Switches registered with FieldComm Group undergo conformance tests for crucial aspects of the physical layer of the new technology: EMC, Data and Power.

Gunther Rogoll, Manager of Fieldbus Technology for Pepperl+Fuchs expressed excitement for this milestone. “We are thrilled to have the first registered Ethernet-APL switches, the Rail Field Switches including up to 24 intrinsically safe Ex ic spur ports, with FieldComm Group. We have recently been working with FieldComm Group to create test policies and procedures for infrastructure products like field switches and power switches usable by all test and registration authorities in the Ethernet-APL consortium, including ODVA, OPC Foundation, and PROFIBUS & PROFINET International. This effort will ensure conformance to the Ethernet APL standards independent of test agency.” 

FieldComm Group has worked closely with ODVA, OPC Foundation, and PROFIBUS & PROFINET International in a concerted collaboration in developing the test specifications and processes for Ethernet-APL products.

“Conformance to the Ethernet-APL standard strengthens the process automation industry as a whole,” explains Ted Masters, President, and CEO of FieldComm Group. “We are excited for this opportunity to provide testing and registration of Ethernet-APL Infrastructure Products, a major component of the Ethernet-APL ecosystem. This is the first step towards a complete suite of registration services from FieldComm Group for Ethernet-APL products to fulfill the field-to-cloud initiative brought forth by Ethernet-based technologies.”

He continued, “As additional innovative products join the digital evolution of process automation we will see HART-IP field devices and other infrastructure products completing our registration process, expanding the breadth of fast and secure process data delivery for cloud-based analytics and optimization.”

FieldComm Group has developed a conformity assessment system to support Ethernet-APL switching hardware. FieldComm Group assesses products for overall conformity to the Ethernet-APL standards using a combination of test results from specialized laboratories and in-house testing services. Products are evaluated against the latest test specifications to ensure consistent EMC immunity and emissions of products; the functionality of the PMA, PCS, PHY Control, and Auto-Negotiation sublayer; and the correct implementation of Port Profiles electrical characteristics such as noise and power for Intrinsic Safety. Product owners who submit conformant Ethernet-APL infrastructure hardware receive a conformance report, certificate and listing on the FieldComm Group Product Registry.

@FieldCommGroup #PAuto #Communications

Monumental registration achievement.

 FieldComm Group Announces Registration of First Process Automation FDI Host System

Emerson’s AMS Device Manager has successfully completed conformance requirements testing under FieldComm Group’s FDI Technology Host Registration Policy. Thus, AMS Device Manager became the first FDI host system to earn the right to display the FDI registration logo in product marketing materials.

By pairing a registered FDI Device Package with a registered FDI host, end users are assured of achieving the multi-vendor interoperability FDI promise of “One Device – One Package – All Tools.” In practice, this means any HART device supporting FDI will communicate seamlessly with AMS Device Manager, and with future host systems as these become registered.

“This is a monumental achievement for FDI technology and Emerson,” says Ted Masters, President and CEO of FieldComm Group. “Over the past several years we have registered over 100 FDI Device Packages. However, the requirements for host registration are extremely rigorous to ensure compatibility among devices and hosts, making this advancement by Emerson very significant.”

Registration is conformance
There are several steps required when preparing host systems for conformance testing against current standards. An FDI host must conform to at least the HART Protocol test specification for host systems, in addition to the FDI specifications.

End users benefit because FDI is the preferred path to digital transformation in the process industry, and conforming host systems provide everything needed to advance existing HART process automation infrastructure into the 21st century, while delivering the latest offerings of new instrumentation with data rich FDI Device Packages.

Registration benefits suppliers and end-users 
According to Stephen Mitschke, Director, Standards Development and Technical Services with FieldComm Group, “End users and automation suppliers both benefit from host registration. Like the current device registration process, host registration strengthens interoperability and device integration. The breadth of facets covered in the test specifications includes FDI UIPs, menu layouts, and offline configuration, among others. The suite of host test specifications encompasses FDI and HART, with over 1,100 test cases combined. 

“FDI host test specifications were developed through the cooperation of leading device suppliers, host system vendors, and end users. Every effort was made to provide the industry with a robust solution for verifying HART device interoperability. Now with FDI on top of the existing protocols, end users have a complete integration solution,”

Each host test begins with an audited plan that details the specific implementation of the host against the specifications. Next, there is an onsite test utilizing standard test devices and registered products. This takes multiple weeks, with complete testing spanning several months.

About AMS Device Manager and FDI
Emerson included several key features in its AMS Device Manager host software suite to support process automation end users when integrating FDI-enabled products. Traditional HART instrumentation will see continued support with this release of AMS Device Manager.

FDI brings modern techniques for security, and it aims to alleviate restrictions on device description developers by expanding the scope to include User Interface Plug-Ins (UIPs), a software component in the FDI Device Package. UIPs are used to represent complex device functionalities via a rich graphical user interface. Examples include diagnostic information, configuration wizards, and valve signature analysis. Emerson’s AMS Device Manager supports the execution of UIPs, which are built with .NET in a secure sandbox.

AMS Device Manager also supports device configuration using Templates if these are present in the instrument’s EDD or FDI Device Package. A Template describes a set of parameter values used for offline configuration by the host to simplify the initial deployment of devices, reducing configuration time for end users.

Security is paramount in FDI. An FDI Device Package is a sophisticated and standardized container for all the components required to describe a field device in the plant. An FDI Device Package carries one or more digitally signed FDI Registration Certificates to ensure its authenticity and integrity. AMS Device Manager can display these digitally-signed certificates to ensure protection from unauthorized access and tampering.

End users need multi-vendor inoperability between field devices and host systems, and this functionality is ensured by registration. Over 100 field devices are now registered, with more to come. Emerson AMS Device Manager is the first host system registered, but additional host system registrations are in progress. Eventually, most of the leading device and host system suppliers will be registered, ushering in a new era of multi-vendor inoperability.

@FieldCommGroup @EMR_Automation @EmersonExchange #PAuto

Easier monitoring and optimising plant health.

AMS Device Manager is the first software of its kind to be registered under the Field Device Integration standard, making it easier to monitor and optimize plant health

Emerson's device management software is the first host software to be fully registered by FieldComm Group® to support the Field Device Integration (FDI) standard. This is a further step in their ongoing efforts to reduce the time and effort spent installing and configuring the field devices plants rely on to achieve their digital transformation goals.

Field devices collect and transmit important data that personnel use to improve plant health, performance and reliability. FDI registration will reduce the need for plants to support two different technologies to integrate and maintain field devices. 

Full FDI registration is important to avoid having a patchwork of systems and devices that only support individual elements of FDI but still require extensive integration effort. Because manufacturers can pick and choose individual FDI features to support, some device management applications will likely not contain every feature a plant requires. Emerson worked side by side with FieldComm Group for nearly two years to enable AMS Device Manager to pass the group’s rigorous testing process for registration, which requires all features to be supported by the software.

“Today’s intelligent field devices offer a broad range of data and functionality that plant personnel can use to optimise operations, but without a common standard, collecting that data can be complex and cumbersome,” said Ted Masters, chief executive officer of FieldComm Group. “By completing the process to fully register AMS Device Manager’s FDI support, Emerson is providing its customers the tools to more easily implement a wider range of devices for holistic plant health.”

The newest release of AMS Device Manager will make it easier, more secure and more cost effective to access device data. FDI integration technology eliminates the need for plants to support the two most common technologies for installing and configuring devices: Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL) and Field Device Tool/Device Type Manager (FDT/DTM). Instead, all FDI devices support a single installation package, so organisations will no longer have to double up on time, training and effort when installing field devices.

“FDI integration technology takes the best features of EDDL and FDT/DTM and combines them into a single common standard, making it far easier to select, install, configure and support new devices,” said Erik Lindhjem, vice president of Emerson’s reliability solutions business. “By adding full FDI registration to AMS Device Manager, Emerson continues its tradition of supporting and innovating on industry standards to help organisations drive more value from digital transformation initiatives.”

@EMR_Automation @Emerson_News @FieldCommGroup #Pauto #Communications,

Communicating VA meter!

The functionality of the Foundation Fieldbus (FF) module for Krohne's H250 M40 variable area flowmeter has been updated from Interoperability Test Kit 5.2 (ITK 5.2) to ITK 6.3. The new version has been tested and registered with the FieldComm Group, and has also passed the stress test on a DeltaV control system.

Since the introduction of the FF interface in 2012, several thousand devices have been put into operation. Customers who would like to update existing H250 M40 FF devices to ITK 6.3 can do so by ordering a new ITK 6.3 module and simply change it in the field without removing the device from the pipeline. As it is only a new firmware, all 32 international Ex approvals of H250 M40 are still applicable.

With ITK 6.3, NE107 compliant diagnostic messages have been implemented, and execution times of the function blocks have been significantly improved so that more devices can be polled for a given schedule (total cycle time of the bus system). It is possible to operate FF ITK 5.2 and ITK 6.3 devices simultaneously in one system. Each version requires its own driver (CFF/ DD/ DTM), which must be installed once per device type.

• Krohne products are marketed in Ireland through DWN Instrumentation.

 @krohnegroup #PAuto @FieldCommGroup 

Ethernet to the Field!

Organizations are cooperating to promote developments for Industrial Ethernet to expand use of EtherNet/IP™, HART-IP™ and PROFINET™ into hazardous locations in the process industry.

FieldComm Group, ODVA and PI (Profibus & Profinet International) have joined together to provide an update on developments that are underway to realize an advanced physical layer for Ethernet that can be used in process automation and instrumentation to connect field devices in remote and hazardous locations, commonly referred to as “APL.” The organizations were joined by representatives from suppliers of process instrumentation and controls in order to provide a well-rounded perspective on the benefits of an advanced physical layer for end users in the process industries, as well as discuss the actions being taken to complete the work needed to realize APL in process field devices.

They have announced the publication of a joint white paper, “Ethernet to the Field,” which lays out the vision and timeline for the realisation of an Ethernet technology suitable for use in remote and hazardous locations founding in the process industries. The organizations foresee that the first Ethernet-connected field devices for use in hazardous locations should appear in 2022. To achieve this result, the organizations are seeking to leverage the work currently underway in the IEEE 802.3cg Task Force, which is developing amendments to the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard for an Ethernet physical layer operating at 10 Mb/s over single-pair cable. Because of good progress for the specification of the long-reach solution (10BASE-T1L), it is planned that the IEEE 802.3 standard will include 10BASE-T1L by the end of 2019.

Experts of the APL project have already started the necessary additional developments to define the requirements and develop the necessary technology to achieve an Industrial Ethernet suitable for use in hazardous locations up to Zone 0, Division 1. To get the necessary approval, the experts work closely with a certification body for intrinsic safety to validate the developed Ex protection concepts and to prepare for standardization in the IEC.

Because the future developments for an advanced physical layer for Industrial Ethernet will provide significant benefits to end-users in the process industry at current & future events.

 @FieldCommGroup @ProfibusUK #PAuto #Fieldbus, @AllThingsPROFI 

Marketing director appointed to communications group.

Technology marketing veteran to guide worldwide efforts to promote HART, FOUNDATION Fieldbus, and FDI technologies.

Paul Sereiko has been appointed as Director of Marketing with the FieldComm Group. Mr. Sereiko has spent much of his career marketing and managing technology products. His broad experience across multiple industries including sensing, wireless communications, embedded systems and telecom, coupled with roles in both large organisations and startups gives him a unique perspective and approach to help develop the strategic marketing direction of the organisation.

Paul Sereiko

As the Director of Marketing for FieldComm Group, Mr. Sereiko will be responsible for guiding worldwide marketing efforts to position FieldComm Group technologies in the marketplace, expand membership and increase the adoption of digital automation solutions in plant environments across the world. He will oversee all marketing activities including seminars, tradeshows, user group meetings, technical demonstrations and marketing communications to promote FieldComm Group and its technology portfolio.

"The combination of the HART Communication Foundation, the Fieldbus Foundation, and the addition of FDI within FieldComm Group provides a unique opportunity to create a standards-based platform to create actionable information from digital automation data", stated Sereiko. "I look forward to building marketing programs with our global marketing team, member companies, and end-user groups to accelerate adoption of the FieldComm Group technology platform."

Ted Masters, President & CEO of FieldComm Group, welcomed Sereiko by stating “We are excited to have Paul join the team in this strategic role for FieldComm Group. Paul has a wealth of experience in linking market messages to strategic direction for many technology rich companies in our markets. He comes aboard at an exciting time to help us communicate and educate the market on the new FieldComm Group and the value of connecting and integrating digital data within their plants to improve operations.”

Mr. Sereiko has served in vice president and executive vice president of marketing roles with numerous organisations, and has served as president and CEO of others. He holds a BS in Computer Engineering and an MBA in Marketing & Finance from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Tool update from FieldComms.

Automation suppliers can download the latest version 1.1 of the FDI Tools and Components to take advantage of feature enhancements and general bug fixes

The FieldComm Group has announced the release of the first update to its newest tool deliverables, the FDI Package IDE and the FDI Common Host Components. Version 1.1 of the development tools introduce exciting new capabilities for FDI product developers including an automated device package test tool, support for PROFINET based device packages, and support for developing device packages capable of offline configuration, including upload and download features.

Since the dissolution of the FDI Cooperation July 28, 2015, both PROFIBUS and PROFINET International and FieldComm Group, as co-owners of the tools and components, have partnered together to support, maintain and enhance FDI products. Development of a single software product across all protocols will be performed at FieldComm Group in collaboration with PROFIBUS and PROFINET International through the Group’s working group model. FDI tools and host components are currently available for purchase from FieldComm Group across FOUNDATION Fieldbus, HART and PROFIBUS/PROFINET protocols. (see also our story last month: Enabling innovation for Industrie 4.0).

FDI makes it easier for automation suppliers to develop and integrate intelligent devices because suppliers only need to create a single, unified package for each intelligent device that can work with all host systems and tools. This reduces overall development costs, while preserving and expanding existing functionality. Users will also find it easier to manage information from intelligent devices with a single device package, instead of managing multiple file types for disparate solutions and investing significant capital in custom integration efforts to connect multiple technology platforms.

FDI Package IDE 1.1 has been feature enhanced with the following improvements; • Device Package Test Tool o Enables automated testing of device packages • Support for PROFINET o Tool now supports HART, FOUNDATION Fieldbus, PROFIBUS and PROFINET • Offline Configuration Capability of Devices o Enables configuration of devices prior to connection to the system • Upload/download Features o Enables offline configuration to be downloaded/uploaded on the system • Bug Fixes The FDI Device Package IDE is a tool for device developers to create FDI Packages and includes everything a host system needs to integrate the intelligent device into their system. With FDI, a single FDI Device Package makes it easier for device suppliers to develop and integrate their device across a wide range of host systems and protocols. FDI Common Host Components 1.1 have been feature enhanced with the following improvements; • Offline Configuration Capability of Devices o Enables configuration of devices prior to connection to the system • Upload/download Features o Enables offline configuration to be downloaded/uploaded on the system • Bug Fixes The FDI Common Host Components are software components for host system manufacturers that allows for rapid development and support of FDI device packages into their host systems. The components help system suppliers ensure they properly comply with the standard and consume device packages correctly. The FDI Common Host Components fully support both the new unified EDD file format as well as legacy EDD formats to protect end user investments.

F-ROM in the process industries.

A hazardous area Remote I/O solution for the “Foundation for Remote Operations Management (F-ROM)” of the Fieldbus Foundation (now a member of the FieldComm Group) has been introduced.

Based on the R. STAHL IS1+ system and new functions developed by Softing for the FF HSE stack, this combination is the first ever FF HSE device to pass the FieldComm Group’s certification tests (ITK, CTK). F-ROM can be used to establish an Ethernet-based Foundation communication system for comprehensive plant control irrespective of underlying technologies. Various types of field device signals – 4…20 mA, regular HART, WirelessHART, FF H1, Modbus RTU and others – are integrated into a common structure. F-ROM therefore enables much easier and more effective planning, deployment and operation of distributed automation infrastructures without requiring device or technology adaptations on the field level.

The IS1+ Remote I/O system’s crucial role is to gather conventional I/O signals e.g. from transducers, temperature sensors, or solenoid valves, and to transmit HART variables via the fast FF HSE network. Explosion-protected fibre-optic cables, which are unaffected by EMI, allow for communication even in Zone 1 or Division 1. For this F-ROM solution, Softing has integrated all-new “Remote I/O Function Blocks” into the FF HSE stack. For the first time ever, these enable a very effective transfer of the great amounts of data characteristic for Remote I/O systems and wireless gateways via Foundation fieldbus. New “Association Blocks” are also available for offline configuration of F-ROM devices. In order to facilitate the integration into F-ROM devices or F-ROM hosts, Softing provides the suitable certified HSE stack as well as extensive development support. Some host system manufacturers, e.g. SMAR Industrial Automation of Brazil and Azbil Corporation of Japan, are already working on F-ROM implementations for their products. Due to great user interest, Tokyo’s Waseda University, a Foundation-certified training site, is also making a certified F-ROM Remote I/O system available to students.

• R Stahl products are marketed in Ireland through Douglas Controls & Automation.

Functional Integration Standard (FDI) for introduction!

The FieldComm Group, formed by combining all assets of the former Fieldbus Foundation and Hart Communication Foundation and dedicated to the integration of intelligent devices in process automation facilities worldwide, announced the first live publically viewable display of functioning FDI Package IDE (development tools) and FDI Common Host Components at this year’s ACHEMA trade fair in Frankfurt (D), from June 15-19th.

As the organisation responsible for delivering and maintaining the tools of this new standard on behalf of the participating industry partners of FDI Cooperation, LLC, (FieldComm Group, FDT Group, OPC Foundation and PROFIBUS & PROFINET International), FieldComm Group is proud to introduce these tools publically for the first time to the market.

Located in Hall 11.0, booth E43, the booth will display not only these new cutting edge development tools for Field Device Integration (FDI) but also FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus and HART® technologies on a massive Technology Wall designed to demonstrate how the Group is ‘connecting the world of process automation’ through a full portfolio of solutions that connect and integrate valuable digital data from intelligent field devices. The multi-vendor display includes nearly 40 leading suppliers and over 70 devices integrated into both new and current systems that provide valuable device and process information leading to improved plant performance.

With the availability of these new development tools for FDI, process automation suppliers and developers can now efficiently implement and test FDI Device Packages for FOUNDATION Fieldbus, HART and PROFIBUS®. In addition, they may also use the FDI Common Host Components to build FDI compatible host systems to ensure full integration and consistency of the FDI standard within device management tools, asset management tools and process interface systems.

The FieldComm Group will welcome all attendees of the fair to visit booth E43 in Hall 11.0 to view the FDI Tools on display that showcase the implementation of FOUNDATION Fieldbus, HART, and PROFIBUS Device Packages in a single development environment utilizing the FDI standard. Visitors will understand how FDI eases development requirements for device and host system suppliers alike while providing plant operators safe, reliable integration by using a single system file, FDI Device Package, for plant systems.

A first for Africa in fieldbus training!

 Eight engineers from Angola LNG passed the inaugural five-day FOUNDATION Fieldbus Certified Technical Specialist course 

The FieldComm Group has announced that IDX Academy, the South African industrial communications training centre based in Johannesburg (ZA), has been successful in the rigorous certification process required to become a site that offers fieldbus training courses certified under the FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus Certified Training Programme (FCTP). This programme establishes uniform standards for fieldbus end user educational curriculum around the globe, and defines acceptable levels of learning for students of the technology.

IDX Academy FCTP handover!

IDX Academy is the first certified FOUNDATION Fieldbus training site on the African continent. Eight engineers from Angola LNG passed the inaugural five-day FOUNDATION Fieldbus Certified Technical Specialist course held on campus last month, with a further nine Angola LNG engineers due to attend the second course in March. The successful students are now proficient in the installation, maintenance, repair, and trouble-shooting of FOUNDATION Fieldbus networks and systems. Certified students may be included in the Student Registry on the FieldComm Group website.

The certification of IDX Academy is the first FCTP accreditation since the joining of the Fieldbus Foundation and HART Communication Foundation was completed, with the new FieldComm Group becoming operational on January 1, 2015. The opportunity to incorporate certified HART technology training is being planned alongside the current certified training centres.

The dedicated FOUNDATION Fieldbus training rigs at IDX Academy utilises host systems, devices and components from several FieldComm Group members including Emerson Process Management, Endress+Hauser, Eaton/MTL, Honeywell, National Instruments, Pepperl+Fuchs, Smar, Softing, StoneL, Turck and Wika.

Chuck Carter, certified FOUNDATION Fieldbus instructor, was instrumental in developing the certified curriculum at IDX. He teaches the FOUNDATION Fieldbus courses and will train additional trainers to ensure ongoing sustainable certified training expertise. Carter has been an instructor in instrumentation and process technology since 1976 and was centre director for over 16 years at the FCTP accredited Lee College Fieldbus Training Centre, Baytown, (TX USA), before relocating to South Africa.

David Bean, who heads up IDX, commented, “Certification is important for the IDX Academy because we are now formally recognised by the FieldComm Group as the high quality training centre that we are. Our customers expect the best and this gives them a guarantee that the content of our FOUNDATION Fieldbus courses and the course materials are up to date and delivered by an expert.”

He added, “We are looking forward to adding world class FOUNDATION Fieldbus training opportunities to the solid base of the other industrial communications products, services and training we already offer across the sub-Saharan region and, of course, we’d be keen to extend our capabilities further with the addition of HART technology training”.

The provision of a certified training centre in the African continent has been a primary objective of the FieldComm Group Southern African Marketing Committee for some time. Marc Van Pelt, FieldComm Group Vice President EMEA Operations, is delighted that IDX Academy has gained its accreditation. “I am proud that we have reached our goal of providing certified technical training and support to FOUNDATION Fieldbus users and potential users across the region and my thanks go to everyone involved throughout the comprehensive process. It was an honour to present the certificate of accreditation to David Bean and his team.”

The FieldComm Group’s Director Technical Services, Sean Vincent, welcomed the addition of another certified establishment. He commented, “Effective and standardised training of plant personnel is the key to successful design and overall project implementation of an advanced technology such as FOUNDATION Fieldbus“.

He continued, “This certification programme ensures a very comprehensive, vendor-neutral approach to training. Process end users want to maximise the benefits of their fieldbus instrumentation and control system investments—and experience has shown that training of operators, engineers and technicians is essential to getting the most out of the technology.”

FieldComm Group formation passes final hurdle!

The final step in constructing a single organization to lead process automation communications and integration technologies was completed when the members of both the HART® Communication Foundation and Fieldbus Foundation™ approved the merger proposed by their respective boards through a voting process that concluded on August 30. This completes a yearlong study and diligence period by a dedicated team of volunteers representing each of the foundations.(see our report Foundation & HART to merge? 26 Sept 2014)

Hans-Georg Kumpfmueller, Chairman (L), and
Ted Masters, President & CEO of new Group

The new corporation, called FieldComm Group, will be led by a board of directors composed of representatives of the collective companies from the current boards of each foundation. Hans-Georg Kumpfmueller has been elected as the inaugural chairman of the board. Mr. Kumpfmueller will lead the direction of the FieldComm Group and oversee the addition of FDI LLC in mid-2015.

Mr. Kumpfmueller has served as a leader in setting the course of device integration in his role as chairman of the FDI LLC board and as CEO of Sensors and Communication at Siemens. He is convinced the formation of FieldComm Group is "a major step forward for the process industries by leveraging the strengths of each industry-leading protocol and adding the value of the next-generation integration strategy."

The board has appointed Ted Masters as president and CEO of FieldComm Group. He currently serves in the same capacity with the HART Communication Foundation. Mr. Masters brings a wealth of instrumentation and controls experience to bear in addition to a deep understanding of the use of data analytics in enterprise systems.

Mr. Masters believes the creation of FieldComm Group is an unprecedented opportunity to build upon existing technologies and develop a single future vision toward harmonization of standards for the process automation industry worldwide. He said, "I am excited about the opportunity to work together with distinguished leaders and technologies around the globe to integrate valuable process intelligence from devices to improve the operations of our users."

During the transition and integration of the two organizations, Richard J. Timoney will serve as executive vice president of FieldComm Group. Mr. Timoney currently is president and CEO of the Fieldbus Foundation. He commented, "The joining of Fieldbus Foundation and HART Communication Foundation will realize the automation industry's goal of a single, unified body to support advanced digital technology. The efforts of countless individuals and companies have helped us reach this milestone."

FieldComm Group will consolidate offices in Austin, Texas, and function as a single entity beginning January 1, 2015. Until that time, the HART Communication Foundation and Fieldbus Foundation will continue to operate independently.