Profibus-DP bus interface module

GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has announced the availability of a Profibus-DP bus interface module for its 8000 line of general purpose and intrinsically safe I/O.

The Profibus bus interface module (BIM) provides the interface between a Profibus-DP master and up to 32 of the 8000 process I/O modules. It is designed to the Profibus DP v1 standard, which supports both cyclic and acyclic communications, and a pair of BIMs can be used in a redundant configuration providing for increased reliability and uptime.

Because the Profibus BIM is about the size of an I/O module, it reduces the overall footprint of the system and saves customers on cabinet space and installation costs.

The Profibus BIM supports the pass-through of HART variable and status data with 8-channel HART AI or AO modules. Communications to popular instrument management software, including AMS and FDT-based packages, is over ethernet. The FDT applications are supported through DTM software provided by GE Fanuc. Through this interface, access to all of the smart features of HART devices, calibration and maintenance history for individually addressable devices, and an instrument database, are available to instrument management software packages.