Control System: [One Question per Week] Week 7 of 2011: Let’s discuss intelligent instrument configuration software together

Ah, silence has fallen – why can’t topics like these ever gain popularity? I’ll mark this and come back to check it in a few days. . .

Mainly, it’s not very widely used at this stage; people either know of it or have no exposure to it

Recommended by the moderator; this post is bound to go viral. . Leave a name to gain followers

It’s rarely used in industry, and few people know about it; therefore, there are very few replies. I’m looking forward to it; I hope some expert can provide some information on this topic.

After all, there are relatively few bus-powered instruments in use in China at present, and consequently fewer people are familiar with them. Even the most widely used HART instruments are mostly operated using handheld controllers. The PIMS of the CS3000 can also be considered one of the intelligent instrument management systems

The smart meters mentioned here mainly refer to fieldbus meters. There are only 2 mainstream types: ProfibusPA instruments and FF-H1 instruments. Hart is an intermediate product that simulates the transition from 4-20mA to the bus. In principle, they are not considered smart meters. Currently, Emerson’s AMS system is the software used by the Emerson family for configuring intelligent instrument panels. Versions after V7 are closely integrated with deltaV; of course, they can still be sold separately. AMS can configure FF instruments, with excellent support. AMS also supports the configuration of Hart instruments, and it does so very well. In addition to data that comes from the DCS cards via routing, AMS also supports Hmux, which refers to separate Hart signals. Through Hart information over the 485 serial line. In this way, for example, the DCS can be from Yokogawa or Honeywell; it can even be a PLC system that doesn’t support HART. On the safety barrier board or signal isolator board, the HART signals are separated and sent to the AMS server. AMS also supports the configuration of these HART instruments. AMS supports any smart instrument that provides an EDDL file, provided that it complies with the HART specifications and FF protocol, and can provide an EDDL file. AMS can be configured or managed. It is worth mentioning that in addition to configuration capabilities, AMS also has management functions. AMS pioneered intelligent meter configuration software; it is also the software with the highest number of implementations to date. It is also the software with the best reputation. The number of licenses for AMS is sold based on the quantity of smart meter devices.

This post was last edited by qiaopeng1231 on 2011-2-27 20:31. AMS does not support Profibus PA instruments in principle. It’s not something AMS cannot do; it’s a matter of competing interests. Although Siemens and Emerson have cross-licensing agreements, to date Emerson AMS still does not support PA instruments, while Siemens PDM still does not support FF instruments; this is a typical example of the big players refusing to cooperate with each other. . . Each of them is the boss in their own right. It’s just not giving you face. . . The AMS data file is provided on the AMS disc itself. It can also be downloaded from the website, or requested from the instrument manufacturer. Generally speaking, AMS itself provides those with the best compatibility, having undergone rigorous testing. The data files provided by instrument manufacturers are often the most up-to-date.

Led by ABB, in collaboration with a multitude of instrument manufacturers and system manufacturers, the FDT Foundation has introduced an intelligent instrument configuration method based on the DTM approach. Objectively speaking, there are only two main instrument buses: FF and PA, backed respectively by Emerson and Siemens. Other manufacturers feel isolated and outnumbered. Others hold a dominant position in setting standards, while they themselves naturally find themselves in a disadvantaged position. We have no choice but to unite. . . Currently, the FDT Foundation has considerable strength in terms of its membership. The main system manufacturers are ABB, Invensys, Rockwell-AB, Schneider, and recently GE is also set to join. The configuration software promoted by the FDT Foundation is called DTM. DTM uses a graphical approach to configure smart meters. It seems more “fashionable” than AMS and PDM. So, is it for this reason that the database files of DTM are larger in size than the EDDL files of AMS, as well as larger than the data files of PDM? ? Hehe, it’s a trade-off after all. ABB’s 800F uses the FDT_DTM method to configure Hart instruments, PA instruments, and FF instruments. Only the corresponding DTM database file needs to be provided. ABB can provide it itself, and instrument manufacturers can also provide it. The configuration method is very simple and convenient. ABB’s 800M Compact platform does not allow the configuration of smart instruments; smart instruments can only be configured on the 800xA platform, which includes the FDT_DTM configuration tool. And it’s more powerful and fierce than the DTM tool of the 800F. The 800F is primarily used for configuring smart meters, while the xA can not only configure smart meters but also manage them. In a sense, once configured, xA’s suite of DTM tools offers more powerful functionality than Emerson’s AMS. However, xA’s smart meter software is also more expensive, haha. The DTM configuration tool of xA supports Hart, PA, and FF, as well as Hmux for connecting Hart instruments. However, the number of smart meters that can be connected using each of these four methods is calculated separately and incurs additional costs. In addition to the additional licensing fee for DTM tools, you need to purchase a license for each PA instrument that you want to configure; the same goes for FF instruments – you need to buy a license for each one of those as well. The same principle applies to Hart instruments – licenses are required for each one of them. What’s interesting is that licenses for Hart and HMUX instruments are calculated separately. The DTM tool for 800F is included in all standard versions of CBF software. Moreover, there is no need to purchase licenses based on the type of instrument (FF, PA, Hart); there’s also no requirement to buy licenses corresponding to the number of instruments. . . Using DTM for xA still seems quite difficult. I wonder how effective Invebsys-Foxboro’s DTM tool is. Haven’t seen it, haven’t used it. Currently, there is also a bit more collaboration between Rockwell-AB and ABB. It’s called iDTM, and it’s claimed to be a smarter DTM. Based on the current information, DTM is not yet stable and mature enough! Hart is supported now, as well as FF; PA support hasn’t been seen yet! Moreover, it mainly works in conjunction with lower-level control software to enable the configuration of smart meters; at present, it has not yet reached a level where it can be considered capable of managing systems. Schneider’s situation is similar as well; after all, things have started there, mainly on the Unitypro platform. And it only works well in the latest version. Earlier versions of the DTM tool had many bugs. I’m not sure whether the AB and Schneider DTM tools are charged separately. . . DTM database files are independent. . . It is also vendor-neutral. In other words, if you purchase E+H instruments, then you use the DTM library files provided by E+H. If you are using ABB’s 800F system, by installing those E+H DTM library files, the 800F system can be configured to work with E+H instruments. If you use the Rockwell system. By installing the E+H DTM library files, it is possible to configure E+H instruments on the AB system. There’s no need to wonder whether, due to the use of different control systems, one has to request different DTM library files from the instrument manufacturer. All DTM library files are uniform. Use the same DTM library file regardless of the user’s system.

Siemens’ intelligent instrument configuration software is PDM. PDM is a relatively lightweight design software. Moreover, PDM is quite flexible; it can be integrated into Step7 or PCS7 for use, or it can be configured independently. PDM supports Profibus PA instruments and HART instruments. In addition to supporting the HART protocol routed from S7 400 systems, it also supports HMUX. Supports the Hart protocol transmitted over serial links. PDM’s intelligent instrument configuration function is quite good. It’s not as powerful as DTM and AMS, though. But it has everything that's necessary. Moreover, the data files of PDM are small, not as large as the database files of DTM. PDM also lacks most of the management functions of intelligent meters; one must either program these functions oneself or use external asset management software. PDM has many advantages, but its biggest drawback is that it “almost” does not support FF instruments. As I said, manufacturers belong to different interest groups, and one does not abandon the other. I’m the boss here; I call the shots. However, in Q2 2011, Siemens will soon launch FF’s solution. So PDM should also support FF soon. It’s possible that in the future, Siemens’ FF solution will be one of the cheapest FF solutions available.

Ah, I originally wanted to have a discussion, but now it’s like asking questions of myself. It’s not enthusiastic at all. Sweat. . . It seems that not many people use intelligent instrument configuration software. I was wondering if anyone is willing to answer regarding the situation with SAMS at Supcon?