Calibration World Issue 1-2007 - Beamex - #6

introducing the world's first

F'ieldbus is becoming more and more common in today's instrumentation. But what is fieldbus and how does it differ from conventional instrumentation? Fieldbus transmitters must be calibrated as well, but how can it be done? Until now, no practical solutions have existed for calibrating fieldbus transmitters, but nowBeamex has introduced the world's first portable fieldbus calibrator - the MC5 Fieldbus Calibrator.

Conventional transmitters can deliver only one simultaneous parameter, one way. Each transmitter needs a dedicated pair of cables, and I/O subsystems are required to convert the analog mA signal to a digital format for a control system.

Fieldbus transmitters are able to deliver a huge amount of information via the quick two-way bus. Several transmitters can be connected to the same pair of wires. Conventional I/O systems are no longer needed because segment controllers connect the instrument segments to the quicker, higher-level fieldbus backbone.

Being an open standard, instruments from any manufacturer can be connected to the same fieldbus as plug-and-play.

History of fieldbus

Back in the 1940s, instrumentation utilized mainly pneumatic signals to transfer information from transmitters. During the 1960s, the mA signal was introduced, making things much easier. In the 1970s, computerized control

heamex FI5

FIELDBUS INTERFACE

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CALIBRATION WORLD 01- 2007

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