Device Based Process Control in Foundation Fieldbus

Devices based on the Fieldbus Foundation’s specification will, as an integral part of their design, allow process inputs and outputs to be precisely sampled by the device without aliasing or skewing. Fieldbus Foundation also standardizes a device description language (DDL) in which device manufacturers can present a description of their field devices. Given these standards it became possible to distribute function block control technology to fieldbus devices of different vendors. An overview of monitor, control, and diagnosis techniques used in Foundation Fieldbus is presented. Also, the manner in which fieldbus may influence advanced control implementations, such as process identification for controller self-tuning is reviewed.