Enhancing Your
Investment in FDT®
with FDIWhite Paper

Enhancing Your Investment in FDT with FDI

Copyright © 2019 FieldComm Group, FDT Group
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FieldComm Group9430 Research Boulevard
Suite 1-120
Austin, TX 78759 USA

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5 Industrieweg
3001 Heverlee
Belgium

Phone: +1 (512) 792-2300

Phone +32 10 22 22 51

fieldcommgroup.org

fdtgroup.org

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The FieldComm Group (the Group) does not knowingly use or incorporate any information or data into theHART, FOUNDATION Fieldbus and FDI protocol standards, which the Group does not own or have lawful rights
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implementers to infringe on any individual's or organization's IPR.

– PAGE 1 –Enhancing Your Investment in FDT with FDI

Introduction
Co-developed by major industry leaders and manufacturers, FDI brings new IIoT/Industrie4.0 technology to themanagement of smart devices in the Process Automation industry. It is the next generation, unifying device
integration technology. The primary objective of FDI is to dramatically simplify software installation, configuration,maintenance, and management of field instruments and host systems.
Today’s field devices rely on device information files such as an EDD or a DTM™ to provide access to thefeatures and functions of the device. FDI brings standardization to the packaging and distribution of all thesoftware and tools necessary to integrate a device with a host system.
In order to enhance the current investment in FDT based solutions, use FDI Device Packages.

– PAGE 2 –Enhancing Your Investment in FDT with FDI

Table of Contents
Who Should Read This White Paper ............................................................................. 4
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................ 4
Key Takeaways ............................................................................................................... 4
FDI Anthology ................................................................................................................. 5The FDI Device Package: ONE Device – ONE Package – ALL Tools ......................... 6Using FDI Technology with FDT Systems .................................................................... 7Benefits of Using FDI Device Packages with FDT ........................................................ 8
Next Steps for End Users and EPCs ........................................................................... 10Summary........................................................................................................................ 10– PAGE 3 –Enhancing Your Investment in FDT with FDI

Who Should Read This White Paper
This paper will benefit technology-aware end users, EPCs and automation design engineers.

Executive Summary
This paper provides a discussion of how FDI technology can be used with FDT based systems.
The paper is organized into the following sections:Introductory information for users who are new to FDI or FDT technology

A review of the technologies and a description of how they are complementaryAn outline of benefits to users and manufacturers who use FDI Device Packages with FDT

Key Takeaways


The FDI Device Package is designed to be a single package with all files necessary to operate a deviceof a given protocol, independent of host system.

For native FDI host systems, FDI Device Packages are imported to the host and are operating system
independent.

For FDT based host systems, FDI Device Packages are integrated with the FDT application through an
FDI DTM.

By using FDI Device Packages and FDT applications, the need for specific Device DTM’s for process
automation field devices is greatly reduced.

– PAGE 4 –Enhancing Your Investment in FDT with FDI

FDI Anthology
The FDI
Cooperation, aconsortium ofleading process
automation
suppliers createdthe FDI standard
to simplify device
management.
FieldComm Group
now co-owns andmanages thestandard.

The roots of FDI technology date back to the 1980s, when Device Descriptions (DD) firstbecame popular. As both device and system technology became increasingly complex,
DDs and the Electronic Device Description (EDDL) tools used to create them evolved toincorporate more and more sophisticated features. Windows-based FDT/DTM
architecture diverged from text based EDDL designs. Device vendors often support both.
End users began demanding a single solution as procurement, configuration andmaintenance costs escalated. In 2007 the FDI project was launched to carefully shape
convergence of FDT/DTM and EDDL architectures.
In 2011 a non-profit organization, the FDI Cooperation LLC, was created to manage thestandardization process for a converged device integration technology. In 2015
FieldComm Group took over the management of FDI technology on behalf of theFoundations that own the standard. Profibus/Profinet International and FieldComm Groupco-own FDI Technology.

Motivation Behind FDI
FDI technology is a natural response to the following development and usage needs imposed by increasingly
complex instrumentation, host systems and operational performance requirements:
1.

The need to improve the security of system software for devices and hosts.

2.

The need to create a platform that enables open architectures.

3.

The need to simplify the development and maintenance associated with device drivers.

4.

The need to reduce dependencies caused by operating systems revisions.

5.

The need to provide a single source for registered, specification conforming, device software.

6.

The need to evolve device software to recognize growing market for mobility and browser-based
applications.

– PAGE 5 –Enhancing Your Investment in FDT with FDI

The OPC UA
interface for FDI
enabled systems
providesstandards-based
access to device
information.

In addition, FDI solves the problem of securely integrating increasingly complex field devices with the multitudeof protocols, networks, control systems, and asset management systems in an operating system independentway. Furthermore, FDI combines many of the advantages of FDT with those of EDDL in a single scalablesolution.

Reduced Life
Cycle Costs

Enable OpenArchitectures(NOA, i4.0)

Up to date cybersecurity features

The FDI Device Package: ONE Device – ONE Package – ALL Tools
FDI standardizes the packaging and distribution of software. Host systems need only one FDI Device Package
per device type per protocol to successfully integrate each device.
What is an FDI Device Package and how is it created?
A physical device is virtualized in software as an FDI Device
Package. An FDI Device Package is a single file (*.fdix) which cancontain all the device information including device definitions,textual and graphical user interfaces, business logic, certificates,
device manuals and other components that are essential for
managing the field device in the plant. Therefore, the FDI’s
signature slogan - "ONE Device - ONE Package - All Tools".
An existing EDD file for a particular device can be used bydevelopers to create the FDI Device Package for that device. Inorder to support sophisticated devices, a UIP (User Interface Plugin) software component, with its rich Graphical User Interface, can be added to provide superior user experience.
Attachments are comprised of registration certificates, manuals, wiring diagrams and communication profile
specific files such as GSD and CFF.

– PAGE 6 –Enhancing Your Investment in FDT with FDIUsing FDI Technology with FDT Systems
A single instanceof an FDI DTM inan FDT system
can interpret any
number of FDI
Device Packages,
thereby fully
integrating all theFDI features into
the FDT system.

The FDI Device Package specification was structured to provide a path to the creation and integration ofoperating system independent device driver and user interface software. To better understand how this ispossible requires an overview of FDT technology.

FDT Technology Overview
FDT technology is an open standard for integration of all factory and process automation networks and devices
providing configuration, diagnostics, and prognostics for the devices and the underlying networks. The FDT
standard was initially realized as a single user, desktop environment but it has since been enhanced to support
server and cloud based architectures in an operating system agnostic architecture. Multi-user FDT platforms
support all common web browsers allowing secured access on phones, tablets, and desktops throughout theenterprise.
FDT technology is embedded by manufacturers in various tools such as stand-alone configuration programs,
PLC programming tools, and DCS asset management systems. The FDT functionality in such a system is called
an FDT/FRAME™. Systems that support the newer FDT multi-user, distributed architectures are commonlycalled FDT Servers.
End devices, machines, network cards, and network gateways are represented in the FDT standard as an
FDT/DTM. There are various types of DTMs but for the purposes of this paper, two types of device DTMs will be
explored – manufacturer specific DTMs and interpreter DTMs.
Manufacturer Specific DTM
These DTMs offer the greatest functionality and support. A single
device DTM can support one or a family of a common type ofdevices such as pressure or temperature transmitters. These DTMs
can be expanded with additional features such as extended
configuration and diagnostic capabilities, networking analysis orcurve display. The device DTM includes a graphical user interface,configuration parameters and business logic.
Interpreter DTM
These DTMs are not uniquely programmed for a
specific device. Instead, they interpret other types ofdevice representations, for example: Device
Descriptions (DDs), Electronic Device Descriptions(EDDs), and Field Device Integration (FDI) Device
Packages. A single instance of an FDI Device Package
Interpreter DTM, or simply FDI DTM, in an FDT systemcan interpret any number of FDI Device Packages,
thereby fully integrating all the FDI features into the FDTsystem.

– PAGE 7 –Enhancing Your Investment in FDT with FDI

Benefits of Using FDI Device Packages with FDT
FDI Benefits for Users

 A single file package for device configuration, specifically including complex
devices, that includes the EDD, product documentation, device-centric userinterfaces,
 Cyber security through digital certificate technologies, More easily understood file names, Better cataloguing including a Device Repository library for FDI DevicePackages.
 Less OS dependency

End User Benefits
Features of the FDI Device Package enables numerous benefits when used with an FDT application:
Reduced Driver File Count. As discussed above, through the use of an FDI Device Package with an FDI DTM,
users can maintain a single FDI Device Package per device to support both FDT and FDI based host systems.
This translates into reduced lifecycle maintenance and administration costs.
Enhanced Security. FDI Device Packages were designed for security. As part of FieldComm Group’s
registration process for device packages, each package is assigned a digital signature to ensure authenticity andintegrity. UIPs run in a sandbox to ensure that 3rd party software cannot impact the FDI host system.
Online Device Package Repository. A key component of the FDI eco-system is an online repository ofregistered FDI Device Packages. End users can access the repository directly through the FieldComm Groupwebsite. There they can find the latest device package for their instrument. Additionally, suppliers can accessthe repository through a programming interface and build automatic access and synchronization into their hostapplications.
FDI Device Packages, the best of both worlds!
All Files in ONEPackage

Security Signing

OnlineRepository

Reduced filemanagement

One packagefor multiple
hosts

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

FDI Device
Package withFDI or FDT Host

Manufacturer Benefits
By transitioning to FDI Device Package development, manufacturers benefit by using a single development
environment to create device software for use with EDD, FDT, and FDI host systems.
Manufacturers can also take advantage of other features of the FDI Device Package including:User interface programs for graphical depiction of device configuration and management parameters
using HTML5.

Addition of device specific documentation, such as certificates, installation guidelines and operating
manuals directly in the FDI Device Package.

Secure signing.
– PAGE 8 –Enhancing Your Investment in FDT with FDI

Additional benefits include:

FDI Benefits for Manufacturers
 Integrated Development Environment ensures interoperability and costefficient development of FDI Device Packages
 Single toolset used for both product development and device registration
 Single toolset to develop many protocol variations - familiar user interface
for simplicity and ease of development with FDI Common HostComponents ensuring device to host interoperability
 Central Repository for FDI Device Package distribution for Users and HostManufacturers

FDI Benefits for System Manufacturers

 A single toolset for both FDI Packages and legacy EDD systems covering
multiple communication protocols including HART, HART-IP, FOUNDATION
Fieldbus, ISA100, and PROFIBUS/PROFINET The client-server architecture simplifies the use of device data and functionsin powerful, distributed control systems, with client-side installation no longer
required Transparent access to device data and functions through the OPC UA
information model facilitates the integration with other applications; the central
management of data prevents inconsistencies

FDI Benefits for Device Manufacturers
 Reduced development effort and cost savings - FDI Device
Package is created for only one device, instead of thecurrent host specific EDD variants and DTMs
 Scalability – common technology delivering simple device
packages for simple devices, and sophisticated device
packages for complex devices– PAGE 9 –Enhancing Your Investment in FDT with FDI

Suppliers savedevelopment timeby developing an
FDI Device
Package only
once - for use inboth FDT and FDI
host systems.

The FDI Package IDE software makes writing, running andtesting of FDI Device Packages easier and more efficient by
providing the complete tool chain you need for FOUNDATION
Fieldbus, HART, PROFIBUS and PROFINET devices in one
application.
The IDE supports EDD editing and tokenizing into one
encoded file format. The encoded EDD, the UIP (developedusing Visual Studio) and the attachments are combined toform an FDI Package by the FDI Package IDE. The Reference
Runtime Environment runs the FDI Packages for testing anddebugging. The Device Package Conformance Test Tool
performs automated conformance testing of FDI Packages.

Next Steps for End Users and EPCs
Here are the steps you can take today to enhance your investment in FDT with FDI:
1.

Update your Enterprise/Facility Instrument Asset management
programs to incorporate FDI features and capabilities –
specifically requirements for:
Certified interoperabilityCentral trusted repository of new/updated FDI Device
Packages and EDDs

Supply Chain cyber security for new/updated FDI
Device Packages and EDDs

2.

Specify FDI hosts and FDI Device Packages in new, upgrade
and refurbishment projects. Purchase Request language isavailable at https://www.ask4fdi.com/ask4fdi-in-purchasingrequests

3.

Use an FDI DTM that hosts FDI Device Packages in the FDT
host.

Summary

The FDI Device Package is the standard method for device integration for both FDI and FDT systems.

Using FDI Devices Packages with FDT applications simplifies development for manufacturers andprovides significant benefits for end users.

ONE Device – ONE Package – ALL Tools

Learn more about FDI technology by visiting ASK4FDI.com– PAGE 10 –

Enhancing Your Investment in FDT with FDI

FieldComm Group9430 Research Boulevard, Suite 1-120
Austin, TX 78759
USAFDT Group AISBL
5 Industrieweg
3001 Heverlee
Belgium

Phone: +1 (512) 792-2300

Phone +32 10 22 22 51

fieldcommgroup.org

fdtgroup.org

April 2019©2019 FieldComm Group, FDT Group AISBL– PAGE 11 –