Foxboro FBM232 Field Device System Integrator Module

Overview

The FBM232 Field Device System Integrator (FDSI) module provides a single

Ethernet interface between single-ported field I/O devices and the EcoStruxure™

Foxboro™ DCS system.

The FBM232 connects to a single 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps copper Ethernet network to

communicate with devices. The FBM232 is connected to Ethernet switches or hubs in

order to communicate with one external device or up to 64 external devices.

Features

Key features of the FBM232 are:

• 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps Ethernet network transmission rate to/from field device

• Communicates with up to 64 field devices

• I/O software driver is downloadable from a library of available protocols

• Up to 2000 DCI block connections

• Integrates field device data into a Foxboro DCS control database using Ethernet

connectivity

• Field mounted

• Class G3 (harsh) environments.

I/O Drivers

This fieldbus module (FBM) is a generic Ethernet hardware module in which different

software drivers can be loaded. These drivers configure the FBM to recognize a

particular protocol used by the device. Several of the software drivers are standard

product offerings. Other custom drivers can be developed to meet specific needs.

These drivers are dynamically downloaded to the FBM232 with software code

specifically designed to interface with the third party device’s protocol. The

configuration procedures and the software requirements for each driver are unique to

the device(s) being integrated into the system.

Ethernet Link Setup

Data communication between the FBM232 and field devices are through the RJ-45

connector located on the front of the FBM232 module. The RJ-45 connector of the

FBM232 can be connected through hubs, or through Ethernet switches to the field

devices (refer to Ethernet Switches for Use with FBM232. page 12). Connection of

multiple devices to the FBM232 requires a hub or switch.

Configurator

The FDSI configurator sets up the FBM232 XML based port and device configuration

files. The port configurator allows for easy setup of the communication parameters for

each port (such as, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), IP addresses). The

device configurator is not needed for all devices, but when needed it configures

device specific and point specific considerations (such as, scan rate, address of the

data to be transferred, and the amount of data to be transferred in one transaction).

Operations

The FBM232 can access up to 64 devices to read or write data. From the Foxboro

DCS control station to which the FBM232 is connected, up to 2000 Distributed Control

Interface (DCI) data connections can be made to read or write data. Supported data

types are determined by the particular driver loaded on the FBM232. which converts

the data to the DCI data types listed below:

• An analog input or output value (integer or IEEE single-precision floating point)

• A single digital input or output value

• Multiple (packed) digital input or output values (packed in groups of up to 32

digital points per connection).

Thus the FBM232 can access up to 2000 analog I/O values, or up to 64000 digital I/O

values, or a combination of digital and analog values up to the maximum capacity a

user allows within the sizing guidelines of the control processor. The frequency of

access to the FBM232 data by a control station can be as fast as 500 ms. The

performance depends on each device type and the layout of data in the device.

The FBM232 collects the required data from the devices, performs the necessary

conversions, and then stores the converted data in its database for incorporation into

the Foxboro DCS plant management functions and operator displays. Data may also

be written out to the individual devices from the Foxboro DCS system.