Product category:
Fieldbus systems, Fibre-optic systems
News Release from: Fieldbus Foundation | Subject: Diagnostic profiles
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 28 February 2008
Diagnostic profiles based on NAMUR
NE-107
The Fieldbus Foundation has begun final validation of a Foundation fieldbus diagnostic profiles specification based on guidelines established by the NAMUR Working Group 2.6.
NAMUR is an international process industries end user group headquartered in Germany Since May 2006, the Fieldbus Foundation and NAMUR have collaborated on fieldbus performance enhancements, such as extended device diagnostics, which both parties identified as important to automation end users in the global markets
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 18 Nov 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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A key objective of this work was to unify the integration of fieldbus self-monitoring data and ensure the availability of valuable diagnostic information to process plant operators, engineers and technicians.
Using the power of Foundation fieldbus, and considering the NAMUR NE107 (Self Monitoring and Diagnosis of Field Devices) recommendations for diagnostic profile support, the Fieldbus Foundation developed a profiles specification enhancing organisation and integration of device diagnostics within Foundation fieldbus systems.
The specification will also help ensure future fieldbus devices are consistent with NAMUR guidelines.
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Stephen Mitschke, Fieldbus Foundation manager, fieldbus products, commented, "This profiles specification builds upon the robust diagnostic features already provided by Foundation fieldbus devices.
At the same time, it allows end users to harness enhanced Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL) technology to achieve true, actionable diagnostics".
The new diagnostic profiles specification identifies "role-based diagnostics" for fieldbus equipment and defines a consistent set of parameters for diagnostic alarming.
This approach supports categorisation of diagnostics according to NE107, thus ensuring the right diagnostic information is available to the right person - at the right time.
In addition, it allows diagnostics to be applied, as most appropriate, for a particular plant application (such as process control engineering or asset management maintenance).
Mitschke added, "Co-operation between the Fieldbus Foundation and NAMUR enabled all parties to develop a greater understanding of end user requirements during this period of rapid fieldbus adoption.
Ultimately, users will benefit from our collaboration thanks to easier diagnostic configuration, greater application flexibility, and fewer spurious alarms".
In September 2007, the Fieldbus Foundation began testing prototype devices and systems in order to validate the diagnostic profiles specification.
It also developed test cases allowing the diagnostic profiles to be used with the current Foundation fieldbus Interoperability Test Kit (ITK).
Final release of the specification for implementation by instrumentation and control system suppliers is expected in the second quarter of 2008.
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