FDI - Field Device Integration

FDI - Field Device Integration

FDI

A SINGLE APPROACH TO DEVICE INTEGRATION

FDI solves the problem of integrating field devices with the multitude of networks, operating systems, and control systems used in the process industries.

Today's field devices look more and more like embedded computers. Intelligent, micro-processor based devices deployed across a wide choice of networks offering a broad range of data that has never been available before. Increased data creates an information management dilemma. How can we take the storm of data created by intelligent field devices and turn it into actionable information?

The first step is to simplify the procedures needed to access field device information by higher-level control or host systems.  These procedures, known as integration, must be completed to assure proper field device management by the host including device configuration, replacement, maintenance, and diagnostics. They must be standardized, usable across all systems, independent of device suppliers, system suppliers, or vendor specific tools.

FDI was jointly developed by leading process industry foundations including FieldComm Group, FDT Group, PROFIBUS & PROFINET International, and the OPC Foundation. Major supplier companies including ABB, Emerson Process Management, Endress+Hauser, Honeywell, Schneider, Siemens, and Yokogawa supported the project with significant resources.

FDI Explained

FDI technology has been developed and supported by the automation industry’s leading technology foundations and suppliers. With FDI the advantages of FDT® are combined with those of EDDL in a single, scalable solution. FDI takes account of the various tasks over the entire lifecycle for both simple and the most complex devices, including configuration, commissioning, diagnosis and calibration.

It's all about FDI on our dedicated FDI website!

Visit ask4FDI.com, out dedicated to FDI website to learn more about FDI. Complete with videos and in-depth explanations about various aspects of FDI technology, this is a must visit for all who want to know more about FDI.

Registered Products

FieldComm Group’s Product Registry provides a current list of Registered FDI, FOUNDATION Fieldbus and HART products from a multitude of manufacturers and categories. Products that carry the registration mark(s) have been tested in our lab to ensure conformance to the standards for interoperability and functionality regardless of manufacturer.

Specifications

The FDI Technical Specifications is a collection of 19 documents that specify the different aspects of the protocol and test procedures. Additionally, the FDI Technical Specification package includes the Unified EDDL Technical Specifications which consists of 3 documents. The specifications is a package that includes all of the individual documents in the set (total of 22).

Development Tools

FieldComm Group provides test and registration services for FDI-enabled field devices and hosts. We provide software and hardware tools to help simplify the development process and provide the best chance of compliance with test specifications.

VIDEO LIBRARY

See our FDI series to learn how FDI works and how you can benefit from using this powerful integration technology.