AUTOMATION COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS AND FDI

IS FDI A NEW PROTOCOL?

No!  FDI is an integration technology.  Specifically, it is a feature of a host system -- an asset manager, configuration tool, DCS, etc -- that brings standardization to device installation and configuration.

Will FDI SUPPORT HART Devices?

Yes!  And FDI also includes native support for WirelessHART, FOUNDATION Fieldbus, PROFIBUS, PROFINET, and ISA100 Wireless. Support is enabled through a software module called a Communication Server. Field device networks connect to the Communication Server and the Communication Server connects to the Host.

Getting started with FDI is easy.  All that is required is a host system that supports FDI and instruments with available FDI device packages.

can other protocols be supported?

Yes! As is with all of FDI, the Communication Server is defined by a standard.  This standards includes the description of how to support other protocols with FDI.  So HART-IP, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, and practically any proprietary protocol can work with an FDI host through a specialized Communication Server.