Centralised asset management of control and automation devices is the aim of many process and manufacturing industry companies. Successful implementation, however, is still difficult to achieve.
One reason for this complexity is the lack of homogeneity in communication structures that is evident. Even in a single plant there may be a mix of devices supporting different protocols such as HART, Profibus, FF, Ethernet/IP, and others. In practice, this inevitably means additional expense and effort for both device manufacturers during software development and for users in day-to-day maintenance and staff training. Trebing & Himstedt claim that failures are unavoidable due to the inconsistent and remote data storage and uncoordinated engineering workflow. This lack of uniformity has meant that asset management has comprised a broad range of configuration tools and data silos. Although there are several standardisation initiatives taking place these communication structures are unlikely to be harmonised during the next few years.
AMS - the concept
One solution for effective asset management is the Asset Management Solutions software (AMS) of Emerson Process Management.
According to Emerson, AMS makes it the market leader with regard to the number of configured field devices. AMS is a highly sophisticated software based on the Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL) concept. So far only support for HART and Foundation Fieldbus has been incorporated in AMS.
However, in a joint development with Trebing & Himstedt, Profibus has now been integrated into AMS enabling the configuration of HART devices that are connected to the Profibus via remote I/O (RIO) supporting HART functionality. This means that HART devices can directly benefit from the advantages of asset management functions for commissioning, diagnosis and maintenance through Profibus networks.
Field Device Tool (FDT) is an alternative technology to EDDL. This provides a technical specification to integrate and manage the different field devices of various manufacturers in one single engineering system and independent of the fieldbus employed.
Central field device configuration via Ethernet
The problem remains that only a central, control-system independent approach enables business-wide asset management in the long run. Trebing & Himstedt has developed a device concept which is applicable for both EDDL and FDT. It features an Ethernet-Profibus-Interface that operates in parallel to the Profibus Class 1 master of the control system as an MCL2 configuration master.
This means that all Profibus PA devices as well as HART devices connected to Profibus via RIO with HART functionality can be configured by Ethernet, independent of the control system.
The benefits of this approach include:
* Shortened commissioning times resulting from centralised access to parameters independent of field controller, DCS or PLC.
* Flexibility in plant modification and extension or even control system replacement.
* Ability to exploit the value-add of intelligent field devices, such as data transfer to historians such as Rapid and to ERP systems such as SAP.
* Consistent centralised storage of device parameter records.
* Qualification support for cGMP/FDA requirements in the regulated industries.
* Possibility of centralised device diagnostics over Ethernet.
For more information contact Mark Dilchert, Lapp Cable, 0861 CABLES, www.lappcable.co.za
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