FOUNDATION Fieldbus

ABB offers a complete FF solution, containing tools and network devices. FF is an open, integrated architecture for distribution of control applications across the network and devices providing an open standard for process automation applications.

Two fieldbus networks are supported:
  • H1 link with 31.25 kbit/s for connection of 2-wire field devices such as transmitters, actuators and I/O incl. intrinsically safe applications
  • HSE, the High Speed Ethernet bus with 100 Mbit/s, H1 subsystems via linking devices, data servers, and workstations.
System 800xA supports the entire FF architecture including High Speed Ethernet (HSE):
  • AC 800M controller at FF HSE, optionally redundant
  • Infrastructure and network devices for higher availability
  • Applications like 800xA Asset Optimization or Operations connected via the FF OPC Server
A full range of field devices is certified for System 800xA and enables seamless implementation. On a continuous basis these device libraries are extended with devices from ABB and third party manufacturers. The Device Integration Center is a service to manage and enhance these libraries.

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Device integration
Data
Device library
Engineering
Application
System 800xA Device Integration package for FF provide the necessary components required to manage a field device in the 800xA system environment, including:
  • Comprehensive device libraries of ABB and third-party device type objects
  • Fieldbus management tools for configuration, parameterization, commissioning and detailed diagnosis
  • Fieldbus OPC servers providing field device variables and status information to asset optimization applications and operator workplaces
  • Asset Monitor analyze asset status and condition information

All relevant device status, diagnostic, and process information is available wherever it is needed through the whole plant and across its whole life cycle. The right information at the right time and at the right place.

Furthermore, ABB adds value on top of the pure FF functionality by including asset management components. This allows end users to identify maintenance issues before failure occurs, diagnose problem root causes, and offer recommendations for corrective actions

New devices are continously added to the device library by the Device Integration Center.

The Device Integration Center delivers pre-configured object types for devices with proven interoperability. System users benefit from reduced engineering time, reduced commissioning time and reduced maintenance costs. Device vendors are assured that their devices and related software components operate properly with the 800xA System over the entire lifecycle. The result will be more effective use of fieldbus technology. 
  • FF HSE high speed Ethernet backbone bus, operating at 100 Mbit/s
  • FF H1 an all-digital, serial, two-way communication bus with 31.25 kbit/s
  • Up to 12 CI860 HSE interface modules can be placed at one AC 800M
  • Linking Device LD 800HSE connecting 4 H1-Links to the HSE backbone
  • CI860 and LD 800HSE optionally redundant
  • Optionally redundant OPC Server FF providing direct access to field device data for increased availability
  • Unmatched flexibility by connection of multiple controller to HSE backbone

Device Type Objects installed via Device Library Wizard to the 800xA system providing the essential Aspects for:

Device Management
Device Management software allows efficient planning, commissioning, and maintaining of field devices within ABB’s Industrial IT 800xA system

Product Documentation
Product documentation is directly available at the device type object. Key product data are bundled in convenient electronic format. Thereby documents like data sheet, installation, configuration, and operation manual as well as maintenance and service manual are accessible via mouse click.

Asset Monitoring
Asset Monitor, Asset Reporter and Asset Viewer acquire and analyze asset status and condition information. They notify operators and maintenance personnel when an abnormal condition calls for maintenance action.

Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS Connectivity)
CMMS Connectivity provides the seamless integration of the Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) into the Industrial IT system environment. Asset related maintenance information is accessed via standard, preconfigured CMMS views allowing for the quick and efficient assessment of maintenance needs and status. 

Device Library Wizard
Device object types for the ABB Industrial IT system environment are available from 800xA System media and from ABB SolutionsBank in the form of device type files. Users can add these separately delivered device object types to their System 800xA by the aid of Device Library Wizard. Thus device libraries can be managed according to the users’ needs.

FF Fieldbus Management Tool (Fieldbus Builder FF)
Design and configuration of the fieldbus architecture and the configuration of the field devices is accomplished with Fieldbus Builder FF, integrated with System 800xA. It enables adding, moving, removing, configuring, or copying FF devices. Upload, download and commissioning for FF devices are eased. Plausibility checks and automatic link setting optimization ensure the correctness of the network and application configuration.

FOUNDATION Fieldbus OPC Server
The OPC Server FF makes data available from FF devices to OPC Clients within the system. As a result, different system functions such as 800xA Asset Optimization or Operations, can access the data of the connected field devices without relying on communication paths through the controller. This increases overall availability when control is performed on the field devices. The OPC Server will be configured automatically from Fieldbus Builder FF. 
Device Management FF accomplishes design and configuration of the fieldbus topology and the configuration of the FF field devices. It performs configuration, commissioning, and maintenance of the FF network with HSE subnets and H1 links. Function block application diagrams are used to specify the distributed control logic and can be created via drag & drop mechanisms out of the FF Device Library. The available function blocks of each device are listed and are ready for use. Also device specific function blocks are supported. Signals can be published on the HSE subnet and H1 links. The required LAS (Link Active Schedule) is generated automatically with the possibility for manual adaptations. Using the FF device descriptions and capabilities files of the corresponding field devices enables topology and control strategy configuration without the necessity to have the specific devices available online.

Plausibility checks and automatic link setting optimization ensure the correctness of the network and application configuration. This early verification does significantly simplify the subsequent configuration download into the field devices. Incremental download ensures fast and secure download without unnecessary process interruptions. The download of configuration changes is optimized towards minimum impact on the existing device configuration leading to fast commissioning. Parameters and signal values including status can be displayed for each device and its function blocks, transducer blocks and resource block. 

Read about Infrastructure and network devices for FF

The ABB network devices for FOUNDATION Fieldbus facilitate creating a robust infrastructure for fieldbus and ease for maintenance and expansions. ABB's fieldbus components are ideally prepared for their specific use in the field. With the available set of devices following advantages are provided:
  • The bus segment is protected against communication errors and short-circuits
  • EEx i field devices can be connected during operation
  • No further T boxes or distribution boxes are needed
  • A higher supply voltage and a higher supply current are made available, therefore increasing the segment length and making it possible to connect a maximum number of field devices to a single segment 
FF Linking Device LD 800HSE

Related topics

System 800xA WirelessHART

Networks

Fieldbus
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