Process Control Network

FOUNDATION Fieldbus Overview

The FOUNDATION Fieldbus (FF) protocol was created in 1994 by a group of process
automation suppliers. Unlike other protocols, FF was developed specifically for the process
industries. It is therefore capable of handling all of the complexities of process management,
including process variables, real-time deterministic process control, and diagnostics.

FOUNDATION Fieldbus features intrinsic safety, long wiring run length, and delivery
of blocks of data over a two-wire system. In intrinsically safe applications, only 83mA of
power are available for each segment, so it is important that field devices consume very little power. TopWorx
FF products consume less than 17mA of power, so up to five devices can be used on each segment.

FOUNDATION Fieldbus is the ideal digital replacement for the traditional 4-20mA analog standard. Although it
is tailor-made for analog instruments, such as control valves and transmitters, it is often appropriate for on/off
valves as well. For example, in continuous processes (low discrete population), it is often logical to tie the on/off
valves into the FF system rather than use conventional wiring or a completely different bus network for a small
number of valves. And in batch operations (high discrete population) that are intrinsically safe, FF is often the
only logical choice for networking on/off valves.

TopWorx has recognized these issues and has created several cost-effective ways to extend the benefits of
FF to on/off valves and other discrete devices.

FOUNDATION Fieldbus Network Highlights

Type of Network Process Control Network Wiring Types
(Recommend using Type A cable only for new installations)
Physical Media Twisted pair, fiber Type A: Shielded Twisted Pair
#18AWG (0.8mm)
Network Topology Star, Bus 1900m (6232 ft.)

Maximum Devices Type B: Multi-twisted Pair with shield

32 nodes/segment (16 nodes/segment on some Host systems) #22AWG (0.32mm)
1200m (3936 ft.)
Maximum Devices using Intrinsically Safe wiring
4-6 per repeated segment depending on power requirements of devices Type C: Multi-twisted Pair without shield
and the type of I.S. barrier used. #26AWG (0.13mm)
400m (1312 ft.)
Maximum Distance
- Maximum Distance 1,900 meters Type D: Multi-core without twisted pairs and
- Maximum Distance with repeaters 9,500 meters having an overall shield
(max. of 4 repeaters can be used) #16AWG (1.25mm)
200m (656 ft.)
Communication Methods
- Client/server, Publisher/subscriber, Event Grounding aspects Wiring is ungrounded. If bus wires are
- Both scheduled and onscheduled communications grounded or shorted, communication to all
devices is interrupted. (short circuit protection
Primary usage is recommended)
Used for analog and discrete process control devices
Shielding Shields should be grounded at only one point
Power and Communications on same twisted pair
Requires FF power supply (conditioner) to protect the digital communications Terminators 2 near each end of each bus segment

Device Power Supply Hazardous Area Installations Intrinsically Safe devices available
Can be supplied from bus (typical)
Device Addressing Automatic when connected
to segment

Governing Body Fieldbus Foundation

Web Site www.fieldbus.org

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Conventional I/O System vs. FOUNDATION Fieldbus Network
FOUNDATION Fieldbus is the ideal protocol for the process industries.

CONVENTIONAL I/O SYSTEM F OUNDATION FIELDBUS NETWORK

Advantages Advantages
- Technology is already understood - Excellent support for analog I/O
- Lower device cost - Incorporates discrete devices into same segments
- Independent wiring from devices to the control system means - Provides control in the field capabilities
wiring problems with one device don’t affect other field devices - Provides redundancy options for power and communications devices
- Available for Intrinsically Safe installations
Drawbacks - Largely supported by process control manufacturers
- Higher installed cost - Complete digital communications to transmitter microprocessors:
- Point-to-point wiring is expensive - Eliminates inaccuracies of A/D and D/A conversions of analog
- Many wiring connections: representative signals, such as 4-20mA
- are labor intensive to install - Eliminates calibration of representative signals to improve accuracy
- create many points of failure - Eliminates setting of upper and lower range limits at the device level
- increase complexity when troubleshooting - Devices contain diagnostic information and alarming capabilities
- require large amounts of cabinet or rack space for installation - Interoperability certification ensures that various field devices work
of terminal blocks with a variety of host systems, regardless of manufacturer
- create time-consuming initial checkout and startup
- Expansion requires duplicating the entire wiring scheme for Drawbacks
each additional point - Limited power requirements in Intrinsically Safe applications,
extended for FISCO installations
- Segment power, grounding, and loading must be considered
when designing segments
FOUNDATION Fieldbus can handle process - Training for commissioning, troubleshooting, and calibration may
be required
variables, deterministic process control, - Requires proper grounding and power isolation for error free
network communications
and diagnostics, and is the ideal protocol
for the process industries.

TopWorx Comments on FOUNDATION Fieldbus

Strengths
FF is made for process control. FF was designed by the world’s FF users want on/off solutions. Due to the sophistication of the FF
leading process automation suppliers for the process industries. protocol, occasionally a plant’s on/off valves become an afterthought
in the design of the system.
FF is proven worldwide. At the time of publication, FF systems have
been implemented in over 25 countries. Later the realization hits that those valves are important, raising the
question, "What are we going to do with the discretes?"
FF is intrinsically safe. In the processing world, hazardous areas are
common. Other bus networks got their start in factory automation TopWorx has created several long-awaited discrete solutions that are
before migrating to the process industries, and thus often fall short in two-wire, intrinsically safe, interoperability certified, and proven to work
hazardous areas. But FF, designed for process automation, incorporates with process control systems such as Emerson's Delta V.
intrinsic safety. TopWorx solutions for discrete valves are intrinsically
safe as well.

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 TECHNOLOGY IN ACTION
Process Control Network

FOUNDATION Fieldbus
Sensor-Communications Module
The TopWorx Sensor-Communications Module (SCM) combines position sensors,
FF communication, pilot valve outputs, and wiring terminals into a compact
enclosure that is potted and sealed from the environment.
Britelite LEDs indicate
valve position and facilitate
sensor set up.
SCM-FF enclosure is
resistant to high levels of
impact, moisture, shock, Calibration Switch
and vibration. facilitates initial setup. The
three position On-Off-FF
switch enables the valve to
be test cycled open and
closed offline, then put onto
All electronics are the network when ready.
short-circuit protected,
eliminating the expense
of adding separate
short-circuit protection.
Integrated position sensors
provide valve position feedback.

All micro-processor based

electronics are completely
potted and sealed, preventing
premature failure due to moisture Onboard terminals provide connection points
or contamination. for auxiliary discrete and analog inputs.

SCM-FF Highlights
The Sensor-Communications Module 5 Discrete Inputs (DI) Open/Closed valve position feedback
delivers valve position feedback, 3 Discrete Outputs (DO) Pilot valve outputs for single
communicates directly on the or double acting
FOUNDATION Fieldbus network, pilots
the valve actuator, and provides Calibration Switch Open-Close-FF
extra wiring terminals for auxiliary Status/Warning LEDs Open, Closed, Alarm State
inputs. FF Interoperability Tested Yes
The TopWorx SCM-FF is a compact, Emerson Delta V Tested Yes
sealed module that can be used in
Short Circuit Protection Yes
a variety of enclosures suitable for
Intrinsically Safe Yes
use in any hazardous or corrosive
process environment. Max Current Consumption <17mA (22mA with LEDs on full-time) SCM-FF Wiring Diagram
Voltage 9-32 VDC
Because of its ultra-low power
requirements, the SCM-FF Diagnostic Features
consumes less than 17mA of Cycle Counter Records number of cycles
power; therefore, up to five Cycle Time Alarms User settable values for Open & Close
devices can be loaded onto a cycle times
single Intrinsically Safe segment. Visual Alarm Indication Blinking LEDs

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