Engineering Software makes it easier to use Foundation fieldbus.

Press Release Summary:

Windows-based FoxCAE v5.0 computer-aided engineering software package for Foxboro I/A Series supports Foundation fieldbus H1 segments, making it easy to configure documents, and support databases and associated fieldbus devices. It supports import of Foundation fieldbus device descriptors and tag lists, and upload and download of H1 device configurations. Software has passed Fieldbus Foundation's Host Interoperability Support Test (HIST).


Original Press Release:

Foxboro Engineering Software Simplifies Instrumentation And Control Configuration With Foundation Fieldbus

FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, USA, January 24, 2002 - Invensys Process Systems today introduced FoxCAE Version 5.0, an enhanced, Windows-based computer-aided engineering software package for the Foxboro I/A Series system. FoxCAE Version 5.0 supports FOUNDATION fieldbus H1 segments, providing a common, easy-to-use engineering platform to configure control databases and associated FOUNDATION fieldbus devices. FoxCAE Version 5.0 also adds the productivity-boosting benefits of new, intelligent design studio functionality, which dramatically speeds and simplifies the configuration of most unit-and plant-level control strategies. "FoxCAE Version 5.0 can dramatically reduce the time and effort required to configure, document, and support I/A Series-based control strategies utilizing both H1-registered and other field instrumentation," said David Shepard, vice president of marketing for the I/A Series system. FoxCAE Version 5.0 builds on Foxboro's 14 years of experience with digital fieldbus technology and our in-depth process control expertise to help increase the productivity of today's downsized plant instrumentation and control engineering and maintenance staffs." Unmatched support for FOUNDATION fieldbus While FOUNDATION fieldbus H1 can help to reduce both field wiring and maintenance costs through digital communications, it also tends to increase the up front engineering effort compared to conventional analog communications. FoxCAE Version 5.0 is designed to minimize the engineering effort required to implement and support H1 segments and field instrumentation. The FoxCAE software, which has passed the Fieldbus Foundation's Host Interoperability Support Test (HIST), supports the import of FOUNDATION fieldbus Device Descriptors and Tag Lists and the upload and download of H1 device configurations. This makes it easy to forward-engineer and automatically document a plantwide instrumentation database. FoxCAE Version 5.0 connects directly to the H1 segments via either an I/A Series Windows-based workstation or a FOUNDATION Fieldbus Interface Card installed in a standalone personal computer (desktop or laptop). All instrument parameters can be read directly from the I/A Series workstation or laptop computer. FOUNDATION fieldbus function blocks are well-supported within FoxCAE Version 5.0. This allows instrumentation residing on the H1 segments to be seamlessly integrated into plantwide I/A Series control strategies. Control strategies forward-engineered and documented in FoxCAE, are then downloaded to the control system where they can be executed within the secure, optionally redundant/fault-tolerant environment of the I/A Series Control Processor. Intelligent design studio templates speed control strategy engineering Over the years, Foxboro control engineers have designed and implemented process control loops in a large number of the world's refineries, industrial plants, and mills. Typical control loops and strategies encountered in all these refineries, plants, and mills have been incorporated as new, easy-to-use control templates in FoxCAE Version 5.0. These templates, which comprise an intelligent design studio, automatically define the configuration for a control loop, provide fault settings for all parameters, assign tag numbers to all blocks and connections, and document the strategy. Control strategies can be easily "cloned" for reuse throughout a plant. This can greatly reduce the time and effort required to engineer and implement process control strategies. Invensys Process Systems is part of the Software Systems division of Invensys plc. Invensys Process Systems' automation solutions provide measurable performance improvements across a broad spectrum of customer industries. Invensys Process Systems includes focused business units such as Invensys Process Solutions, plus well-known brands such as APV, Avantis, Esscor, Foxboro, Pacific Simulation, Simulation Sciences, Triconex, Walsh Automation, and Wonderware. Invensys plc (www.invensys.com) is a global leader in the Automation and Controls industry. With its head office in London, England, it operates in all regions of the world through four focused divisions - Software Systems, Automation Systems, Power Systems, and Control Systems. With more than 75,000 employees, the company's products and services range from advanced control systems and networks for automating industrial plants and controlling the environments of buildings, to electronic devices and controls found in residential buildings and light commercial applications, plus complete power systems for the telecommunications and information technology industries.

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