Fieldbus Foundation announces first registered fieldbus hosts

The Fieldbus Foundation has announced the first Foundation fieldbus host systems to pass its Host Profile Registration Process.

The newly registered hosts include Yokogawa's Stardom network-based control system and Centum VP integrated production control system, and ABB's System 800xA extended automation product.

The registration program requires mandatory testing of critical elements of the technology. It encompasses Foundation fieldbus host systems and field devices, as well as physical layer components such as power supplies and device couplers.

Fieldbus hosts successfully completing the test requirements are authorised to bear the official Foundation product registration symbol, which represents a set level of consistency in the multi-vendor fieldbus environment.

Fieldbus Foundation President and CEO Rich Timoney called the initial host registrations an "important milestone" in the growth and implementation of Foundation fieldbus.

"Host registration provides an extra measure of confidence that fieldbus systems incorporate the robust functionality of Foundation technology and are able to function as part of an open, interoperable control system," he said.

A list of all registered Foundation fieldbus products is available at www.fieldbus.org/registered.