Foxboro I/A Series® HARDWARE

This FBM is a generic Ethernet hardware module inwhich 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 connectorlocated 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 HUBS AND

SWITCHES” on page 8). Connection of multiple devices to the FBM232 requires a hub or switch.

CONFIGURATOR

The FDSI configurator sets up the FBM232 XMLbased port and device configuration files.

The port configurator allows for easy setup of thecommunication parameters for each port

(such as, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), IPaddresses).

The device configurator is not needed forall 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 I/A Series 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).