Ann Arbor, Michigan U.S.A. and Foxboro, Massachusetts U.S.A. - ODVA and the FDT Joint Interest Group (FDT JIG) have agreed upon a common understanding of joint activities, with the aim of incorporating FDT technologies into software tools that support networks built on the Common Industrial Protocol™ (CIP™) .Under the joint activities, ODVA’s CIP Software Tools Joint Special Interest Group (jSIG) will develop specification enhancements to incorporate FDT technology into the configuration of devices on CIP networks.
Current network technologies built on CIP include EtherNet/IP™ and DeviceNet™, their safety extensions (EtherNet/IP Safety™ and DeviceNet Safety™), and ControlNet™. CIP and EtherNet/IP are owned and managed by ODVA in conjunction with ControlNet International under a Technology Cooperation Agreement.FDT technology defines interfaces between device-specific software components provided by device manufacturers – called Device Type Managers (DTM) – and the engineering systems provided by system manufacturers.
Under the joint activities, ODVA will also extend its conformance testing process to include the testing of DTMs intended for use with products for CIP Networks™, providing ‘one-stop’ conformance testing and certification for product developers.For its part, the FDT JIG has formed a Project Group for CIP Networks (the PG CIP) to develop extensions to the FDT technology specifications as required to support CIP Networks.ODVA Executive Director Katherine Voss comments “ODVA is committed to providing industry with open, interoperable networks, which is a huge benefit for network users and network product developers. It has freed users to choose best of breed products, confident that they will be able to communicate seamlessly across multiple network layers and multiple network segments.
This agreement with FDT represents an important piece of the puzzle, because it means that users will now benefit from more freedom to choose the best of breed products with the added confidence that configuration will also be simplified through the use of expert software tools. “It will also give developers a network-independent framework that will reduce the number of configuration software tools that they are required to support,” she continues. “This will shorten development times so that products can be brought to market more quickly.”FDT Joint Interest Group’s Scott Bump says “the FDT technology was developed to help deliver the full capabilities of all fieldbus devices and networks to their users.
FDT breaks down the proprietary barriers in control systems, opening those systems to smart applications that can utilize all of the advanced features of fieldbus devices. The FDT JIG is very excited about our joint activities with ODVA, which extend the scope of the FDT technology to all CIP networks and to all products based on CIP. “
About ODVA
ODVA is an international association comprised of members from the world's leading automation companies. Collectively, ODVA and its members support network technologies based on the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP™). These currently include DeviceNet™, EtherNet/IP™ along with major extensions to CIP - CIP Safety™, CIP Sync™ and CIP Motion™. ODVA manages the development of these open technologies, and assists manufacturers and users of CIP technologies through tools, training and promotional activities. In addition, ODVA offers conformance testing to help ensure that products built to its specifications operate in multi-vendor systems.
ODVA also is active in other standards development organizations and industry consortia to drive the growth of open communication standards. For more information, visit the ODVA web site at: www.odva.org .
About FDT JIG
The not-for-profit FDT Joint Interest Group is a collaboration of international automation companies that support the proliferation of FDT/DTM technology. Thegroup is open to all companies and organizations that wish to participate. FDT Joint Interest Group has established three separate working groups focused on marketing, specification, and test and certification. The mission of the FDT Joint Interest Group is to promote the acceptance and usage of FDT technology in the factory automation industry, process automation industry and hybrid application industry. FDT technology is available to all companies that wish to utilize it.
For more information, visit FDT JIG’s website at www.fdt-jig.org .
