A Milestone is Reached: Why Everyone is Talking about FDI

Related Vendors

Schubert_CP_gross_rgb (003).jpg (Gerhard Schubert GmbH)

Gerhard Schubert GmbH - Verpackungsmaschinen

DÜPERTHAL Sicherheitstechnik GmbH & Co. KG

Italvacuum, Srl

ABB Automation Products GmbH

Endress+Hauser AG

more less

For Endress+ Hauser, it will also take some more time until device integration is no longer an issue — at least as long as the division of labor between host system and device driver exists. “I am however firmly convinced that with FDI we can move the issue of device integration in process automation away from its negative connotations and thus show the end customer that an open system interface is to his advantage, said Birkhofer.

Additional Information

Interview with Karsten Schneider, Chairman of PI

Users Want Reliable FDI Packages

? Mr. Schneider, what was the most important technical challenge to reach the agreement on FDI?

Schneider: There was a whole series of details to work out, if you consider the harmonization of the EDDLs, for example. There are also difference between fieldbuses that are inherent in their function and should not be changed. But there was a set of functionalities that could very likely by standardized. It was not always very easy to work these things out neatly, but we succeeded in the end.

? What are the next steps in the development?

Schneider: The work will not be concentrated so much on the functions of the FDI packages but rather on the tools. At the moment these are approved for Hart, Profibus, and FF. Profinet will follow. As soon as we are in the market with devices as a start, additional tasks will certainly arise. However, there will be more requirements in the direction of testing and certification. In fact we have already initiated a few here, but we naturally want the user to be able to rely on the fact that the FDI packages offered by manufacturers also actually conform to FDI.

? And how do you ensure this?

Schneider: We have already collected a lot of experience on testing and certification with Profibus and Profinet. Users all over the world can be sure that a device has always been tested in Profibus test labs to the same specifications. For Profibus PA devices, it is certainly appropriate to perform the Profibus and FDI certification in one step. This means: The Profibus PA test would then have a test environment for testing the functions of the FDI package. However, we will arrange with our colleagues in the Field Comm Group about offering the same test procedures.

What Was, What Is and What is Yet to Come

In particular, the close collaboration has paid off and might be seen as a model for future projects. For this reason, not only Birkhofer is satisfied: “It was a great step forward to have taken time to reflect on how the end customer can finally eliminate the “pain of integration”. I believe that this cooperative way of providing standard software can also be replicated in other areas, such as the issue of physical characteristics of intrinsically-safe Ethernet transmission. A common solution for a basic problem might also be possible here, paving the way for a return to the competitive rivalry for better device technology.”

Pelz is also convinced that FDI has emerged as a model: “With FDI the largest possible common denominator has been found. The number of networked connections in companies and thus also in automation will increase in the future. Here, we need new solutions that can only find jointly.” He names as an example the already specified forward-looking vendor-neutral OPC-UA interface.

For Gregor Kilian of ABB, proprietary systems related to device integration belong ultimately to the past.
(Picture: ABB)

While Pelz does not believe this should be implemented in the host system immediately, it should by all means be implemented as a next step. “If we are thinking in the direction of Industry 4.0, a straightforward readout of information must be possible without the tedious step of setting up a second channel,” said Pelz.

* * The author works as freelance technical writer for PI (Profibus & Profinet International).

(ID:43221655)

Field Device Integration

A Milestone is Reached: Why Everyone is Talking about FDI

What Was, What Is and What is Yet to Come