Is the world ready for a “self-help” supplier of industrial networking tools and equipment? The people at Cobaltprocess (www.cobaltprocess.com) in the Northwest USA certainly hope so.

The original network analysis tool was the National Instruments Bus Monitor, developed at approximately the same time as Foundation Fieldbus was being introduced. This tool was designed to monitor the data traffic on fieldbus networks. It was not until Relcom introduced the FBT-3 that a physical layer troubleshooting tool specific for Fieldbus was available. Prior to the FBT-3 the only options were multimeter and oscilloscope, with no way of knowing which devices were communicating when a signal trace went by.

Just like we tend to take the Ethernet chipset in our computer for granted, most End Users are likely unaware that every Foundation Fieldbus H1 device has a similar chipset called the H1 Stack in it. Like the FF Function Blocks, the stack must also be tested for compliance BEFORE the device can be submitted to the Fieldbus Foundation for its 'check mark.' Because the Foundation now tests devices and host systems, every field device and H1 interface card therefore requires a tested and approved stack.

I just read that the new FDI Corporation is already showing benefits with prototypes of the first FDI components –proof that the concepts being proposed will work have been demonstrated on an ABB system. The prototypes include communications with HART, FF and Profibus protocol devices. The article on Control Engineering Europe’s web site http://www.controlengeurope.com/article/46341/First-working-prototype-of... also includes expected delivery dates for the remainder of the project indicating all the parts should be ready by the end of 2012.

The Profibus started the idea of traveling road shows approximately 10 years ago as a way to show Edn Users how their technology worked. The Road Shows consist of a series of free 1-day seminars in different cities around the continent spread out through the year. Locations for the events were generally selected based on where potential applications for the technology could be found to guarantee some level of attendance.

The Fieldbus Foundation announced that it has established a new blog addressing a wide range of issues affecting the world of FOUNDATION technology.

Until about 3 months ago one of my volunteer activities was to work with the Fieldbus Foundation in the development of the specifications for their High Speed Ethernet (HSE) Remote I/O project and the biggest concern we had and were unable to get a firm answer was the demand for an HSE backhaul based Remote I/O solution. We all knew that there were a wide range of options on the market from single module units with 4 – 8 I/O to those using other protocols such as Ethercat with hundreds of signals per station.

John Rezabek, the regular author of our "On the Bus" column, wears other hats as well. He is also a member of the Foundation Fieldbus Advisory Council. In that role, he is attending the 2011 Fieldbus Foundation General Assembly in Mumbai, India. This morning he sent us this very brief report on the opening day events.

A little late, however I just found out that now that John Berra has officially retired, Dr. Gunther Kegel has been elected the chairman of the Fieldbus Foundation Board of Directors.  John was chairman for 16 years – basically since the beginning.

Though some of my friends have been telling me for years, Denise was able to confirm this week that I am now certified, Certified Foundation Fieldbus training instructor that is – and pending some changes to the laboratory exercises – tomorrow’s activity on my part to perform the activity and create some screen captures at least, the curriculum will be ready as well. The facility also made the grade so all three facets of the audit are almost complete.