®

PSS 21S-3A3 B3

I/A Series® Software

Field Device Integration

The I/A Series system provides seamless integration of measurements from Intelligent Field Devices such as
Pressure Transmitters, Mass Flow Transmitters, Magnetic Flow Transmitters, Temperature Transmitters, Vortex
Transmitters, Gas Chromatographs, Hydrostatic Tank Gauges, and Valve Positioners.

OVERVIEW I/A Series field device integration provides the

Field device integration provides an easy, efficient following advantages:
integration of measurement outputs from a wide • simplified system and instrument configuration
range of Intelligent Field Devices (IFDs) into • faster and easier calibration and loop checks
I/A Series Control Systems. Seamless, full system • improved accuracy, quality, validity, and security
integration is achievable given the intelligence located of measurement data
in the IFDs as well as the flexibility of the hardware • improved end-user product quality and personnel
and software provided in the I/A Series system safety
architecture. IFD integration includes digital outputs in • simplified field maintenance
addition to the analog 4 to 20 mA outputs from • improved calibration and maintenance record
Foxboro and other field devices that have been keeping.
available for years.

Product Specifications
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INTELLIGENT FIELD DEVICES Installation of Intelligent Field Devices is simplified

With the introduction of microprocessor electronics, using existing field wiring, which supports both the
Intelligent Field Devices provide digital outputs for full measurement signal(s) and remote bidirectional
system integration utilizing complete bidirectional communications. The measurement signal(s) is not
communication. These Intelligent Field Devices disturbed when reading transmitter data or values.
include instruments such as the Magnetic Flow Intelligent Field Device design includes protection
Transmitter, Vortex Transmitter, Mass Flow against electrical influences such as reverse polarity,
Transmitter, Pressure Transmitters (for gauge, voltage surge, lightning and radio-frequency
absolute, and differential pressure), Liquid Level interference (RFI) and electromagnetic interference
Transmitter (for density or interface), Temperature (EMI) as well as protection from environmental
Transmitter, Valve Positioners, and analytical products extremes or hazards. The devices meet the approval
(for pH level and conductivity). The broad spectrum of requirements of many agencies for use in hazardous
offerings for each of these devices provides flexibility location installations.
in satisfying a wide range of process and mounting
Intelligent Field Devices contribute to personnel
applications.
safety, especially when located in hazardous
Long term field-proven sensing technologies and locations. The safety features of the devices include:
application experience contribute to the superior
• configurable fail-safe options
reliability associated with the design of the devices.
• device security via HHT access and I/A Series
Reliability and improved long term accuracy facilitate
workstation environment passwords
operations and reduce maintenance and downtime.
• user friendly menu-driven I/A Series system
The Intelligent Field Devices are monitored and software and HHT or PC20 firmware
configured through either a Hand-Held Terminal • continuous self-prompting diagnostics and
(HHT), a PC-based configurator (PC20), or a remote diagnostics via remote communications
workstation in an I/A Series system, which use • entire family of Intelligent Transmitters uses a
bidirectional digital communications, and common HHT that is able to connect at any
perform/display the following functions: wiring termination point
• remote reconfiguration • EEPROM transmitter memory eliminating need
• complete device information viewable on for batteries
I/A Series displays • storage of maintenance information in database.
• measurements appearing in engineering units
I/A Series HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FOR
• reranging/recalibration FIELD DEVICE INTEGRATION
• continuous self-diagnostics for validating
The I/A Series system architecture is structured
measurements
around the concept of a node consisting of
• remote troubleshooting capability
interchangeable hardware and software modules that
• transmitter database uploading/downloading
can be mixed and matched to fit a broad range of
• database copying between transmitters.
application requirements. The node comprises a set
The HHT or PC20 is used to perform these functions of modules in an enclosure together with workstations
locally, while the workstation is used to perform these and field devices. This node can be connected to
functions remotely. Refer to PSS 2A-1Z3 A for other I/A Series nodes as well as other Foxboro and
additional information on the HHT, and PSS 2A-1Z3 E non-Foxboro computers and devices via compatible
for additional information on the PC20. networks.
Workstations in the I/A Series system use a software The key hardware modules and devices associated
package called the Intelligent Transmitter with field device integration include:
Configuration/Maintenance Environment. This
• Intelligent Field Devices that connect to a
software package incorporates the functionality of an
Fieldbus Module or directly to a Control
HHT, while taking advantage of the display, keyboard,
Processor via an I/A Series Fieldbus.
storage, and print capabilities of a personal computer
system. • Fieldbus Modules (FBMs) that support specific
types of IFDs and connect via a Fieldbus to a
Control Processor (CP).
• Control Processors to integrate the IFD data into
the control scheme via the control database and
control software.
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• Application Processors (APs) that support the • system management screens:

I/A Series software and provide bidirectional
– to view the graphic representation of the
information flow for IFD configuration, Integrated
I/A Series hardware hierarchy and the health
Control configuration, process displays, control
of hardware such as Control Processors
displays, system management displays, and so
(CPs), Fieldbus Modules (FBMs), associated
forth.
IFDs
• Workstation Processor (WP), Application – to view health, status, and maintenance
Workstation Processor (AW), or Personal information for a selected IFD
Workstation Processor (PW) to view, configure, – to perform actions on a selected IFD such as
control, and maintain information via the CRT. on/off-line actions and EEPROM updates.
The software supporting field device integration See Figure 1 for an example of the modules and
includes: stations related to field device integration in an
I/A Series Node and Figure 2 for an example of IFD
• an efficient and secure message protocol to the
field device integration software related to the
IFDs for the transfer of data.
I/A Series Modules.
• integrated control software that provides each For a complete explanation of I/A Series systems, see
device with its own input/output (I/O) function the following PSSs:
block for direct connection to control blocks.
• PSS 21A-1A1 A1 - I/A Series System Overview
• IFD configuration/maintenance software located • PSS 21A-1C1 C2 - Software Overview
in a separate secure environment for fast efficient • PSS 21A-1B1 B2 - Hardware Overview
configuration of IFDs.
• user-friendly detail displays for viewing IFD
measurements, status, and configuration
information and performing operator actions.

CARRIERBAND LAN OR NODEBUS

NODEBUS

CONTROL
FIELDBUS PROCESSOR
MULTIBAY MODULAR
WORKSTATION

INTELLIGENT FIELDBUS
PRESSURE MODULE
TRANSMITTER

INDUSTRIAL ENCLOSURE
MASS FLOW
TRANSMITTER

Figure 1. Example of Field Device Integration Components in I/A Series Node

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I/A Series NODEBUS

FIELDBUS
INTELLIGENT
IP POSITIONER
FBM
INTELLIGENT
WP AP CP IT
TRANSMITTER
MASS FLOW
CFT TRANSMITTER
INTEGRATED
CONTROL CP DATABASE
DATABASE FILES FILE HTG HYDROSTATIC
TANK GAUGE
IT DATABASE ECB
FILES 931D
PGC PROCESS GAS
ECB
CHECKPOINT CHROMATOGRAPH
FILE ECB
MEASUREMENTS,
INTEGRATED STATUS, ID
CONTROL
CONFIGURATOR
INFORMATION
IT CONFIGURATOR/
MAINTENANCE
ENVIRONMENT
DETAIL DISPLAYS

PROCESS DISPLAYS

SYSTEM MANAGEMENT
DISPLAYS

Figure 2. Intelligent Field Device Information Integrated into an I/A Series System

Integrated Control Software The Integrated Control Configurator allows you to

Integrated control software provides a selection of create compounds in which you configure.
continuous, sequential, and ladder logic control • standard control blocks
domains. The basic element for implementing any of • sequence control
the control domains is the block. A logical collection of • ladder logic
blocks can be combined in a compound to perform a • ECBs for FBMs
specific control task. • Window ECBs for IFDs.
In addition to the standard control blocks, there are The Window ECBs for Intelligent Field Devices that
Equipment Control Blocks (ECBs) containing provide the foundation for field device integration are
communication information from Fieldbus Modules device-type specific and include:
(FBMs) that receive control signals from IFDs. ECB18 Intelligent Transmitters (Pressure,
Window Equipment Control Blocks (ECBs) provide a Temperature, Magnetic Flow, and Vortex)
“window” into the Intelligent Field Device for ECB22 Mass Flow Transmitters
accessing both dynamic and non-dynamic data. The ECB13 Hydrostatic Tank Gauge Interface Unit
measurements and select configuration data can AMSPRI Process Gas Chromatograph (PGC)
easily be incorporated into the I/A Series control ECB73 Intelligent Positioner
scheme by connecting those inputs through the
Window ECB as inputs directly into standard control The PGC also has a standard secondary block
blocks (for example, a PID Block). (AMSSEC) available to accommodate additional data
sets and status information.
Window ECBs do not have alarming or message
generation associated with them. When needed,
device inputs can be connected to an alarm block.
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The capability to configure ECBs and Window ECBs Window ECB detail displays provide the operator
via the Integrated Control Configurator allows you to access to information pertaining to the Intelligent
add new FBMs and transmitters on-line easing the Field Devices, such as:
task of system reconfiguration each time a new FBM • device values
or Intelligent Field Device is added to the system. • status information
Each standard block, ECB, and Window ECB has an • device identification
associated detail display for viewing control block or • configuration information.
ECB information. These displays, one for each block A bypass feature available with Window ECBs allows
type, become available automatically for each a device value to be “bypassed” while a measurement
configured block. for control simulation can be manually entered. The
Block detail displays allow you to: detail display indicates both the measurement
• tune loops entered and the actual device value. These fields are
• take corrective action identical when the bypass feature is off. See Figure 3
• perform process control actions (manually) for an example of Intelligent Transmitter
• view parameters and alarm levels or indicators. measurements and Figure 4 for an example of
Intelligent Transmitter status information. For
additional information regarding Integrated Control
Software, see PSS 21S-3B1 B3.

Figure 3. Example of Measurement Information on Detail Display for Mass Flow Transmitter
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Figure 4. Example of Status Information on Detail Display for Mass Flow Transmitter

Intelligent Transmitter Configuration/Maintenance • Copying a selected configuration file to one of

Environment more field devices.
The Intelligent Transmitter Configuration/ • Saving the configuration database to another file,
Maintenance (IT_Maint) Environment is a separate to a disk, or directly to a field device.
environment, secured (via password), providing easy
handling of both configuration and maintenance • Viewing or adding comments attached to the
tasks. It consists of two software packages: the configuration file.
Intelligent Field Device Configurator (IFDC) and the • Calibrating the parameters for a specific field
Intelligent Transmitter Maintenance Workbench device.
(ITMW). The IFDC is responsible for configuring and
maintaining databases for the following types of • Comparing the current configuration file against
Intelligent Field Devices: both the stored database for the field device, and
the current values in the field device (see
• Intelligent Pressure Transmitters, Magnetic Flow Figure 6).
Transmitters, Temperature Transmitters, and
Vortex Transmitters • Testing power connections between field devices.

• Intelligent Valve Positioners • Displaying the raw inputs for specific field
devices.
• Mass Flow Transmitters
• Setting a field device to either On-line or Off-line
The selectable tasks which the IFDC software mode.
package can perform include the following:
• Executing additional applications, such as
• Configuring or printing the database for a new or
FoxDoc, Microsoft Word, or any other specific
existing field device (see Figure 5).
applications required by the user.
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Figure 5. Configuration Feature of Intelligent Field Device Configurator (IFDC)

Figure 6. Compare Feature of Intelligent Field Device Configurator (IFDC)

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The ITMW is responsible for configuring and • view hierarchical network displays that indicate
maintaining databases for the Hydrostatic Tank the health of network communications
Gauge (HTG) Interface Units.
• analyze network performance by monitoring
Configuration of Intelligent Field Devices can also be communication counters
performed in the field using a Hand-Held Terminal
(HHT), or portable laptop containing the PC20 (1) • view station configuration information
configurator. The same HHT or PC20 is used to • view equipment information for each station and
configure different types of ITs with the exception of peripheral device (for example, CP, FBM, and
the HTG. Configuration changes made via the Intelligent Field Devices)
HHT/PC20 result in an automatic update of the
information in the Window ECB for the Intelligent • perform equipment change options for stations
Field Device and the CP database files. and peripherals
• perform on-line cable tests for stations and off-
System Management Software
line station diagnostic tests.
System Management Software is a distributed
software system that allows you to monitor the health System Management provides unique Equipment
and performance of all components of the configured Information Displays for each Intelligent Field Device
system and to intervene in network operations. This type: ITs, Mass Flow, HTG, and so forth. These
software allows you to: displays include device-specific fields that relate to
the parameter names used in the IT configurator.
• view hierarchical system displays that indicate Device-specific health status information is textual for
the health of the system equipment easy and rapid review. See Figure 7 (Screen 1/3),
Figure 8 (Screen 2/3), and Figure 9 (Screen 3/3).

Figure 7. Example of Equipment Information Display for Intelligent Transmitter (Screen 1/3)

(1) The PC20 is a PC-specific portable version of the Intelligent Field Device Configurator (IFDC) described earlier in this document.
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Figure 8. Example of Equipment Information Display for Intelligent Transmitter (Screen 2/3)

Figure 9. Example of Equipment Information Display for Intelligent Transmitter (Screen 3/3)
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The Equipment Change Display shown in Figure 10 reconnect of devices from the System Monitor
presents those operator actions associated with the domain to allow or disallow system alarming for those
Intelligent Field Devices. These device actions devices not physically connected to the system or in
include: maintenance.
• Go on-line Calibration actions for selected devices available on
the Calibration Screen include the following
• Go off-line
capabilities:
• Download (Mass Flow Transmitter and HTG) • calibrate any of the transmitters in the HTG
• EEPROM Update (Mass Flow Transmitter and system to zero pressure
HTG) • perform density equalization calibration in the
• Enable Device Alarming HTG Interface Unit

• Inhibit Device Alarming. • perform level equalization calibration in the HTG

Interface Unit.
For effective health monitoring and maintenance
tasks the go on-line/go off-line and alarm inhibit/alarm For additional information on System Management,
enable actions are available. The alarm inhibit/alarm see PSS 21S-2B3 B3.
enable actions allow the logical disconnect and

Figure 10. Example of Equipment Change Actions Display for Mass Flow Transmitter
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Safety Shutdown Systems If the I/A Series system should fail for any reason, the
Most users require a separate control system for PLC or controller integrated in the loop takes control
safety shutdown systems. This allows the safety of the process and “safely” shuts down the loop. The
shutdown system to “safely” shut down the dangerous Intelligent Transmitters can be configured with a 4 to
process loops during an emergency even if access to 20 mA output and a separate power supply and still
the main control system has been limited or communicate digitally to I/A Series for control. This
terminated. In many instances, the loop would require allows them to remain under the control of the loop if
redundant field devices to be “safely” shut down by the main control system fails in the event of an
the safety shutdown system. emergency.

Foxboro I/A Series system can be easily configured to Figure 11 illustrates the difference between a normal
incorporate safety shutdown loops using the same control loop and a safety shutdown loop. Both loops
field devices already integrated in the loop, without incorporate a Fieldbus module (FBM) and an
the need for an entire separate safety shutdown Intelligent Transmitter for exemplary purposes.
system.
NORMAL LOOP

+ +P

DIGITAL
OUTPUT AND
COMMUNICATION
- +
INTELLIGENT
TRANSMITTER

FBM

SAFETY SHUTDOWN LOOP

+P

PLC OR
4 TO 20 mA + CONTROLLER +
PLUS
DIGITAL
OUTPUT AND
COMMUNICATION - -
INTELLIGENT
TRANSMITTER FBM
EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY
Figure 11. Comparison of Normal and Safety Shutdown Loops
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The Foxboro Company

33 Commercial Street
Foxboro, Massachusetts 02035-2099
United States of America
http://www.foxboro.com
Inside U.S. 1-508-543-8750 or 1-888-FOXBORO (1-888-369-2676)
Outside U.S. - Contact your local Foxboro Representative.

d/p Cell, Fox, Foxboro, and I/A Series are trademarks of The Foxboro Company.
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