FOXBORO fbm232 41h2s232 FBM232 Field Device System Integrator Module

FOXBORO fbm232  41h2s232 FBM232 Field Device System Integrator Module

DESCRIPTION

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.

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.

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.