What is FDI?
FDI is an internationally standardized solution for process automation device and systems integration that dramatically simplify software installation and maintenance as well as communication between enterprise level systems and technologies on plant floor.
Before FDI, individual devices offen come of hundreds files to address different systems, configurations, and interfaces. With FDI, a single device now uses one file to provide data in process values to all systems.
A FDI system is made up of two parts, a FDI device package and a host system.
The FDI device package is a standardized container of all files necessary to describe a field device to a system in a person, including the device description, user interface, and device documents such as wiring diagrams, manuals, certificates, etc. All of these elements are packaged together in a digitally signed FDI device package.
And a FDI host system in process control can be a DCS, PLC and an asset management application, or even a configuration tool. FDI host systems are made up of a FDI Client and a FDI Server. FDI host may also provide a OPC UA interface to field protocol communication servers, thus allowing disparate machines and systems to communicate. The communication server is the key element enabling FDI to be broadly adopted into the IIoT and Industry 4.0 Initiatives. In particular, the communications server enables local or cloud based OPC UA connections which simplifies integration with existing IT infrastructures.
FDI & OPC UA deliver access to plant data from across the globe, allowing corporate officers and subject matter experts to optimize assets and stay ahead of the competition, all while providing built-in data security. FDI & OPC UA enable the digital transformation of process plants to work more efficiently and effectively with fewer resources and tighter constraints.
