Newsdesk - July/August 2001

Foundation Fieldbus module links to High Speed Ethernet

Softing has launched a module for linking Foundation Fieldbus H1 low speed field networks to the FF High Speed Ethernet (HSE) network specification. This makes it possible to set up supervisory and control systems or PCs as high speed Ethernet clients and gain transparent access to the field devices of the FF-H1 level.

Called FF Linking Device, the module is a compact 'gateway' which can connect up to four FF-H1 segments to an HSE network running at 10 or 100Mbits/s. The FF Linking Device is suitable for top-hat rail assembly and is powered from an external 24V supply. A separate COM port is provided and the front panel has LED indicators showing system activity.

Softing has also announced that it and Wago have agreed to collaborate in a partnership programme that will see close integration of Wago's System 750 intelligent I/O modules with Softing's 4Control PC-based automation platform. The aim is to provide enhanced 4Control automation solutions by placing Soft PLC capability at the remote I/O terminals, reducing master/slave dependency over a fieldbus and pushing control applications further into the field. Under the agreement, Wago has become a member of Softing's Synergy Partner Program. Wago will introduce a special I/O System 750 4C Ethernet bus coupler which is directly configurable via Softing's IEC 61131-3 compliant 4C Engineering package over an Ethernet link.

The bus coupler has its own microcontroller capable of running applications locally, even when the comms link is broken.

• Softing
  Email c116@industrialnetworking.co.uk
  
  
• Wago
  Email c117@industrialnetworking.co.uk