FDT - Field Device Tool

The essential parts of FDT technology are the frame application (FDT Frame) and the so-called Device Type Managers (Device DTM and CommDTM), which are available for field devices and communication equipment. The two components could be likened to the Print Manager in a Windows Office program and the Print Drivers that must be installed to make printers work and which contain a graphical user interface for their configuration.

Please click here for a schema.

The FDT frame is the hosting or stand-alone application and communicate with the device drivers via a set of standardised interfaces. All data are exchanged through these interfaces, including those generated within the application for engineering, DTM management and device configuration. It is no longer necessary to use proprietary interfaces to operate devices or build up communication paths. Frame applications can be device configuration tools, control system-engineering tools, operator consoles or asset management tools. The frame application is also open to all communication technologies, e.g. for HART®, PROFIBUS® or FOUNDATION fieldbus™. Proprietary service bus protocols can also be integrated simply into the frame application because of the standardised interface.

Please click here for a schema.

The Device DTM is a software driver developed by the device manufacturer for each of his devices or group of devices. The DTM encapsulates all the device-specific data, functions and management rules such as the device functions, its communication capabilities, internal data structure and dependencies as well as the user interface elements. It provides functions for accessing device parameters, configuring and operating the devices, calibrating, and diagnosing problems. DTMs can range from a simple user interface for setting device parameters to a highly sophisticated application. They may perform complex calculations for diagnosis and maintenance purposes or display results in the form of curves, trends and other graphical elements.

For communication equipment, such as gateways, multiplexers and other hardware interfaces a CommDTM is required. Like any communication driver, this converts data from one protocol to another, but with the difference that the integration into the system is via a standardised FDT rather than a proprietary interface. This means that users wishing to integrate existing communication equipment into a FDT frame application require only the corresponding CommDTMs. Similarly, vendors need only modify their existing drivers to include a FDT interface and their equipment can be integrated into any FDT frame application.

Open communication interfaces

FDT integrates (field) devices from any manufacturer via so-called Device Type Managment files (DTMs) into frame applications, i.e. control systems, engineering tools and asset management tools.

Uniform user interface

The device engineering, operation and maintenance information is displayed on a uniform graphical interface.

Platform independent

Any Device DTM can be accessed by any FDT frame, independent of the host operating system.

Fieldbus independent

The FDT frame and the device DTM have communication interfaces for HART^®, PROFIBUS^®, FOUNDATION fieldbus™ and many more.

Please click here for a schema.

Existing DDs can be used...

... to build DTMs. FDT expands the capabilities of DDs for digital devices and their associated graphical user Interface.

Existing communication infrastructure can be used

The technology is independent of the system communication hardware. FDT/DTM is solely based on existing communication software.

Ensures technology migration

Microsoft provides tools to migrate COM based products to .NET technology; FDT is extendable by adding new interfaces for functional enhancements.

Please click here for a schema.

FDT also includes the concept of Nested Communication so that with the aid of CommDTMs, the communication hierarchies found in the plant can be replicated simply in the hosting configuration tool. In this way, the FDT architecture eliminates the integration problems that normally occur when different devices must communicate with each other. It also provides transparent access to data at all system levels.

Please click here for a schema.

Network architecture for HART®, PROFIBUS® and FOUNDATION Fieldbus™

Endress+Hauser offer Device Type Managers (DTMs), which are available for HART^® and PROFIBUS^® field devices and communication equipment.

The DTM encapsulates all the device-specific data, functions and management rules such as the device functions, its communication capabilities, internal data structure and dependencies as well as the user interface elements. It provides functions for accessing device parameters, configuring and operating the devices, calibrating, and diagnosing problems. DTMs can range from a simple user interface for setting device parameters to a highly sophisticated application. They may perform complex calculations for diagnosis and maintenance purposes or display results in the form of curves, trends and other graphical elements.

	The DTM Libraries can be obtained from the Endress+Hauser Download Area. More Information...

Manufacturer information (including device list) regarding software updates (NE 53):
MI039S/04/en

FieldCare DTMlibrary SFE250 : 2.18.00

- HART

- PROFIBUS DP

- PROFIBUS PA

Overview of all available Manufacturer information regarding FieldCare and DTMlibrary updates (NE 53):
All available FieldCare and DTM libraries

Download documentation:

FDT - Field Device Tool
Open standard for device and system integration
Competence Brochure
CP010S/04/en 03.08

FieldCare

Plant Asset Management

All-round support throughout the plant life-cycle

Competence Brochure

CP001S/04/EN 04.04

Device Configuration Tools

Special Documentation

SD013S/04/EN

Manufacturer information (including device list) regarding software updates (NE 53):
MI048S/04/en

FieldCare DTMlibrary SFE250 : 2.18.01

- HART

- PROFIBUS DP

- PROFIBUS PA

Overview of all available Manufacturer information regarding FieldCare and DTMlibrary updates (NE 53):
All available FieldCare and DTM libraries

Endress+Hauser Process Solutions AG located in Reinach, Switzerland, has been accredited by the FDT Group as one of the first Test Laboratories worldwide for the certification of DTMs (Device Type Manager).

 
With this ability Endress+Hauser is able to recommend its own or third party DTMs for certification, in accordance with the FDT Group's certification policy.

	Testing the conformity of DTMs to FDT specifications
	Testing of all device functions offered by the DTMs
	Integration in established frame applications (FieldCare, PACTware, ABB Composer, etc.)
	Integration of the fieldbus protocols HART®, PROFIBUS®, FOUNDATION fieldbus™, etc.

After being certified as PROFIBUS^® Competence Center,  this is a further step in the context of System Integration.
 
From our customers point of view, a clear process for certification of the devices/systems has also been a requirement. It is to be interpreted as an indicator of quality. In a world where different manufacturers are coexisting, it gives definitive guaranties through an audited process, that the devices can be operated with DTMs in conformity with the FDT specifications.

Take a Virtual Tour through our Fieldbus Test and Competence Center "System World"  at Endress+Hauser Process Solutions AG, Reinach (Switzerland).