FOUNDATION Fieldbus

PROVEN TECHNOLOGYFOR A DIGITAL FUTURE

INTEGRATED PLATFORM FOR PROCESS AUTOMATION
Driving the Industrial Digital
Transformation for Over 20 Years

What is FOUNDATION Fieldbus?

FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus has been driving the digital transformation

designed specifically for process control applications. It replaces

to smarter plant operations, made popular by terms such as theanalog 4-20 mA and on/off signals for connecting instruments

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0, for more thanlike transmitters, analyzers, control valve positioners, and on/two decades. FOUNDATION Fieldbus technology is embedded inoff valves to distributed control systems (DCS), programmablemillions of intelligent devices and systems and has enabled end

logic controllers (PLC), remote terminal units (RTU), and otherusers to make better and faster decisions, increase productivity,automation systems.

reduce costs, and minimize risk while raising the level of awareness of plant operations from instrument technicians all the way
to corporate oﬃcers.

FOUNDATION Fieldbus is a real-time digital communication network

FOUNDATION Fieldbus supports long cable lengths to junction

As demonstrated at plants around the world, the benefits of com-boxes far into the field, as well as long spurs for devices. Field-

pletely digital automation without the limitations of 4-20 mA andbus-based control systems employ two-wire twisted pair cable

on/off signals are enormous.

and provide intrinsically safe or non-incendive device powersuitable for all hazardous areas. Unrestricted access to field

FOUNDATION Fieldbus takes automation to the next level bydevice intelligence enables centralized configuration/setup andmaking control loops entirely digital from end-to-end—fromdiagnostics for all field instruments, including discrete sensors

transmitter to positioner—without intermediate analog signals,

and actuators. This solution also supports temporary masters

and by communicating multiple signals from multiple devices

such as handheld field communicators, laptops/tablets, andon the same pairs of wires. Range setting is reduced, if not

documenting calibrators.

eliminated, for most transmitters, and there is no signal

FOUNDATION Fieldbus has the smallest hardware footprint ofdistortion like traditional analog systems.

any technology in process automation. It provides an all-digitalsolution from the sensor to actuator, completely eliminating theThe technology also enables new, more powerful devices,

FOUNDATION Fieldbus allows industrial organizations to unlock theneed for analog 4-20 mA signals and significantly reducing theincluding intelligent two-wire on/off devices with predictive

full capabilities of their existing assets. By providing the means

overall amount of equipment needed. It also takes the place ofdiagnostics.

to leverage immense amounts of data generated by modern au-proprietary protocols previously-used with electric actuators/

tomation systems, the potential uses and benefits are numerous.

motor-operated valves (MOV), gas chromatographs, and tank

They range from enhanced data collection and improved remotegauging systems. Communication is time-synchronized andmonitoring, diagnostics and asset management, to reduced con-scheduled to ensure deterministic closed-loop digital control.

figuration and commissioning effort.

Multiple devices, each with multiple I/O signals, share theƵƚŽŵĂƟŽŶ^ǇƐƚĞŵ/ŶƚĞƌĨĂĐĞ

same bus.

FOUNDATION Fieldbus started with a few simple ideas:Transmission overĚĞƚĞƌŵŝŶŝƐƟĐŽƉĞŶŶĞƚǁŽƌŬDDƵůƟͲƐŝŐŶĂů/ͬKƉĞƌĐŚĂŶŶĞůƉůůĚŝŐŝƚĂůƐŝŐŶĂůŝŶŐůůĚŝŐŝƚĂůƐŝŐŶĂůŝŶŐ

• Reduce cabling• Simplify marshalling:ƵŶĐƟŽŶŽ:ƵŶĐƟŽŶŽǆ:ƵŶĐĐƟŽ• Enable real-time digital closed-loop control• Ensure multi-vendor interoperability• Expand device intelligence• Allow diagnostics-based maintenance• Liberate plants from proprietary protocols

2&ŝĞůĚĞǀŝĐĞƐ

3

BREAKING THE LIMITS OF ANALOG TECHNOLOGY
and discrete two-wire intrinsically safe on/off valve actuators.

VirtualMarshalling™

An Open Network Standard

Some automation projects are adopting various alternatives

Proprietary protocols were eliminated years

to traditional I/O and marshalling technology. But why makeago and for many reasons. Devices are there-

physical marshalling better when you can eliminate it entirely?

fore able to openly integrate with intelligent

Functions provided via physical hardware in conventional control

device management software for configura-systems are not necessary in a FOUNDATION Fieldbus system sincetion, diagnostics and predictive maintenancethey are handled through software, which is more robust and

all while sharing the same bus infrastructure.

Reduced Device CountAs an open network standard, the technology

FOUNDATION Fieldbus supports multi-function

eliminates single vendor dependency, which

instruments such as multi-channel temperature

limits the ability to interchange or replace existing instruments

transmitters with eight sensor inputs, whichwith third-party solutions. End users can choose the best

are ideal for temperature profiling applications.

available instruments for their application and replace them as

For dual sensor temperature transmitters, both

eliminates failure points.

12 pair = 12 signals

In the past, these devices required one pair of wires and one I/Ochannel for each signal, meaning as many as 3, 6, 12 or morepairs per device. This results in fewer I/O cabinets, a smaller
footprint, less weight and considerably reduced labor. No more“bird’s nest” of wires!

channels can be used for control loops. Because of theseneeded to accommodate the process.

capabilities, FOUNDATION Fieldbus transmitters can take the
1 pair = up to 32 signals

High Signal Integrity
FOUNDATION Fieldbus’ pure digital signals eliminate the digitalto-analog (D/A) and analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion requiredin devices and systems utilizing 4-20 mA technology. Fewer
conversions lead to higher resolution and accuracy. Errors due tocurrent calibration differences between transmitter output andDCS input are also eliminated. This is particularly important inflow and level applications such as tank gauging, where smallpercentages correspond to significant revenue. Using FOUNDATION
Fieldbus, measurement values transmitted digitally cannot bedistorted and integrity errors are immediately detected. This
compares with often-undetected current skews commonly dueto undetected ground loops or improperly separated high voltage
lines.

place of many hardwired transmitters, thus reducing the overall

Reduced Installation Time & System Footprint

device count as well as associated wiring and I/O card points.

Rather than use individual wires for each device signal, FOUNDATION Fieldbus connects multiple devices in parallel on the same

Reduced Commissioning Time

COST

pair of wires. A single pair provides both power andcommunication, and can be intrinsically safe or— software-based distributed I/O connectivity —which provide

non-incendive if required. This reduces the amount

multiple signals over the same two terminals. No need to rely onof cable, cable trays, I/O cards, and associatedare no longer a concern. Traditional five-point loop

custom hardware configurations to accomplish the functions

labor for installation, as well as the effort of cutting,tests are replaced by a simple plausibility check.

of traditional marshalling. This approach allows late addition ofstripping, crimping, labeling and connecting at

Technicians can automatically confirm the correct

feedback and auxiliary measurement and control signals without

every intermediate point. For example, a bus withdevice type (model and manufacturer) has been

the need for additional wiring or switching I/O cards. At design

10 instruments—and an average of three signals pertime, it is not necessary to know the exact type and quantity ofdevice—can take the place of 30 pairs of wires andsignal for each device to determine I/O requirements.

I/O channels.

VirtualMarshalling makes FOUNDATION Fieldbus particularly wellBecause of its ability to integrate multiple signals

suited for expansions at existing sites with limited additionalon a single wire, FOUNDATION Fieldbus dramaticallytray capacity.

reduces work required for electric actuators/MOVs

With FOUNDATION Fieldbus, time-consuming manualcommissioning tasks and their associated errors

QUALITY

EFFICIENCYFOUNDATION technology was developed with VirtualMarshalling

installed, and are not required to spend time reranging it.

Greater Signal Fidelity
FOUNDATION Fieldbus devices are designed to transmit
measurements as a real number in engineering units (notscaled by range), which are received—unaltered—by a control
system at the other end. This approach eliminates the process
variable value skew that may result from mismatched 4-20 mA
range settings between transmitters and control systems. WithThis not only applies to transmitters and

FOUNDATION Fieldbus, measurement values are also transmitted

positioners, but also discrete devices such as

over the full sensor limit with greater precision and are notintelligent two-wire on/off valves and electric

limited to a narrow 4-20 mA portion. Readings do not stop atactuators.

the normal control range, but go beyond, providing valuable
information during abnormal conditions.

45PROVEN BENEFITS IN PROJECTS WORLDWIDE
Tighter Control

Enhanced Diagnostics

Transmitters, controllers, and valve positioners are digital—soThe digital nature of FOUNDATION Fieldbus supports DCS-based

it only makes sense to have pure digital signals between them.

device configuration/setup, diagnostics, and viewing of internal

A digital bus running 25 times faster than earlier hybrids ofvariables. The technology also allows two-wire devices toanalog and digital allows a closed loop that is digital and time-drive more powerful electronics and firmware, ensuring more

synchronized from end to end, from sensor to valve. FOUNDATION

sophisticated self-diagnostics. This includes statistical process

Fieldbus communication is deterministic and runs in real-time,

monitoring (SPM) for multiple variables across the bus andoffering control response times faster than 150 ms in somecontinuous valve performance diagnostics not found in 4-20 mA

cases. Reductions in process variability allow set points to bedevices. In addition, the technology employs NAMUR NE107-moved closer to the optimal point of operation.

compliant device alarm rationalization to notify the right person
without alarm flooding.

Real-World Examples
Companies around the world benefit by choosing FOUNDATION Fieldbus technology. Here are a few real-world examples. TotalFina
Elf is a multinational energy company committed to leveraging innovation and initiative to provide a sustainable response to thegrowing energy demand. Tecnimont is an engineering, procurement and construction company headquartered in Mumbai, India.

TotalFina Elf Saves Big!

Tecnimont Reduces Installation Costs

TotalFina Elf reduced overall

Tecnimont reduced installation time andengineering costs of a project by 80%.

costs - termination, cabinet installation

Source: TotalFina Elf

and cable pulling by 42%, comparedto that of 4-20mA installation.

42%

Source: Tecnimont

Real-time Signal Status & Data Quality
FOUNDATION Fieldbus delivers real-time signal validity with

Simple Online Upgrades

each measurement indicating if the value is good for control,

FOUNDATION Fieldbus instruments not only communicate faster

uncertain, or bad (fault).

than hybrid analog/digital devices, but they also have the speed

80%necessary to allow firmware download from the system while
continuing to run the process. Devices with dual memory banks
switch bumplessly to new firmware without any downtime on

31%

the segment. Modern FOUNDATION Fieldbus devices are easily
This enables process problems to be distinguished from device

upgraded to take advantage of features and other improvements

problems, thereby minimizing nuisance trips of the control loop

in new versions. These upgrades can be performed without

on sensor failure and increasing availability.

going into the field to replace the entire circuit board or connect
a laptop.

More Powerful Devices
FOUNDATION Fieldbus-powered instruments are able to consumeTecnimont Reduces
Commissioning Costs
Tecnimont reduced commissioning

Ease of Use

costs by 31% compared to 4-20mA sys-15%

tem loop checking and commissioning.

more power than traditional systems, enabling new and more

FOUNDATION Fieldbus technology includes NAMUR NE107-

powerful functionality. Examples of such devices include two-compliant role-based and prioritized device diagnostic alarms,

wire eight-channel process temperature transmitters, two-wirebackwards compatibility for easy device replacement and soon

TotalFina Elf Reduces Wiring andInstrumentation Costs

tank gauging multi-spot temperature transmitters with water

will include Standard Connection Points (SCP) which will enable

TotalFina Elf reduced wiring and instrumentation costs

bottom level measurement, and two-wire intelligent on/off

true “plug and play” functionality to get users online quickly inby 15% by choosing FOUNDATION Fieldbus technology.

valves.

the event of a process upset.

6

Source: Tecnimont

Source: TotalFina Elf7

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FOUNDATION Fieldbus provides anall-digital infrastructure, with powerfulmultivariable measurement capabilities, robust device diagnostics, andthe ability to integrate wireless devices
across multiple networks.

With over 30 million supported field
FieldComm Group

instruments installed worldwide, HART

9430 Research Blvd., Ste 1-120

technology offers a reliable, long-Austin, TX 78759 USA

term solution for leveraging benefits

info@fieldcommgroup.org • +1 512.792.2300

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© 2017 FieldComm Group, Document Number: PS10038, Rev. 1.0

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