Confusion over fieldbus technology by manufacturers and customers alike is due to a number of factors. The goal of a single global fieldbus standard, the subsequent development of European standards, the recognition of a number of emerging de facto standards and the continued international standardisation of fieldbus technology is still perplexing potential fieldbus users. The initial low supply and demand for suitable devices and compatible controller interfaces, the high cost of control systems and inertia caused by resistance to change have all contributed to the slow adoption of fieldbus technology by industry. The variable quality of fieldbus documentation has not assisted the acceptance of this new technology. An overview of industrial control systems, fieldbus technology, present and future trends is given. The quantifiable benefits of fieldbus are identified in the assessment of fieldbus applications and guidance on the appropriate criteria for the evaluation and selection of fieldbus are presented. End users can use this and network planning to establish the viability, suitability and benefits of various control system architectures and configurations prior to implementation. The enhancements to a network configuration tool are shown to aid control system programming and the provision of comprehensive diagnostics. A guide to fieldbus documentation enables manufacturers to produce clear, consistent fieldbus documentation. The safety-related features for a machine safety fieldbus are also determined for an existing network technology. Demonstrators have been produced to show the novel use of fieldbus technology in different areas. Transitory connections are utilised to reduce complexity and increase functionality. A machine safety fieldbus is evaluated in the first installation of a fully networked control application. Interoperability of devices from many different manufacturers and the benefits of fieldbus are proven. Experience gained during the membership of the British Standards Institution AMT/7 Committee identified the impact of standards and legislation on fieldbus implementation and highlighted the flawed use of standards to promote fieldbus technology. The Committee prepared a Guide to the evaluation of fieldbus specifications, a forthcoming publication by the BSI. The Projects presented have increased and developed the appropriate use of fieldbus technology through novel application, technical enhancement, demonstration and knowledge dissemination.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:541056 |
| Date | January 1999 |
| Creators | Piggin, Richard Stuart Hadley |
| Publisher | University of Warwick |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/36357/ |
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