ABB’s System 800xA one of the first systems registered as Foundation Fieldbus host

ABB has announced its Extended Automation System 800xA was recently registered as an initial Foundation fieldbus host system after it passed the Fieldbus Foundation’s rigorous new Host Profile Registration Process. ABB is one of only two vendors that have received the new certificate according to the enforced registration rules.

Mark Taft, ABB’s Group Vice-President, Global Sales & Marketing, Control Systems Business, Process Automation Division, commented, “As indicated by the statements from the foundation, this process was established by the End User Advisory Council (EUAC), not by the product manufacturers. Finally, the end users can reasonably evaluate solutions in a consistent way rather than trying to make sense of supported features and functions from the previous HIST methods.”

The Fieldbus Foundation established its Host Registration Program as a key initiative benefiting the global automation industry. Under the registration process, fieldbus hosts successfully completing the test requirements are authorised to bear the official FOUNDATION product registration symbol. Hosts may include configuration tools, recording devices, alarm display panels, HMIs or systems with a combination of functionality. Under the new Host Profile Registration Process, the foundation conducts functional testing with a test device and specialised test device descriptions (DDs) and capabilities files (CFs). The host device or system under test must support a clear set of required features.

The foundation's Host Registration Program benefits both automation suppliers and end users by providing a new level of consistency in a multi-vendor Foundation fieldbus environment. End users can select the best device for a specific measurement or control task, regardless of the manufacturer.