Registration of first process automation host system announced

FieldComm Group announced Emerson’s AMS Device Manager has successfully completed conformance requirements testing under FieldComm Group’s FDI Technology Host Registration Policy, which makes it the first FDI host system to earn the right to display the FDI registration logo in product marketing materials.

By pairing a registered FDI Device Package with a registered FDI host, end users are assured of achieving the multi-vendor interoperability FDI promise of “One Device – One Package – All Tools.” In practice, this means any HART device supporting FDI will communicate seamlessly with AMS Device Manager, and with future host systems as these become registered.

“This is a monumental achievement for FDI technology and Emerson,” says Ted Masters, President and CEO of FieldComm Group. “Over the past several years we have registered over 100 FDI Device Packages. However, the requirements for host registration are extremely rigorous to ensure compatibility among devices and hosts, making this advancement by Emerson very significant.”

There are several steps required when preparing host systems for conformance testing against current standards. An FDI host must conform to at least the HART Protocol test specification for host systems, in addition to the FDI specifications.

End users benefit because FDI is the preferred path to digital transformation in the process industry, and conforming host systems provide everything needed to advance existing HART process automation infrastructure into the 21st century, while delivering the latest offerings of new instrumentation with data rich FDI Device Packages.

Registration benefits suppliers and end-users

According to Stephen Mitschke, director, standards development and technical services with FieldComm Group, “End users and automation suppliers both benefit from host registration. Like the current device registration process, host registration strengthens interoperability and device integration. The breadth of facets covered in the test specifications includes FDI UIPs, menu layouts, and offline configuration, among others. The suite of host test specifications encompasses FDI and HART, with over 1,100 test cases combined. FDI host test specifications were developed through the cooperation of leading device suppliers, host system vendors, and end users. Every effort was made to provide the industry with a robust solution for verifying HART device interoperability. Now with FDI on top of the existing protocols, end users have a complete integration solution.”

Each host test begins with an audited plan that details the specific implementation of the host against the specifications. Next, there is an onsite test utilizing standard test devices and registered products. This takes multiple weeks, with complete testing spanning several months.

– Edited from a FieldComm Group press release by CFE Media and Technology.

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