The Fieldbus Foundation released the preliminary specification for its Foundation High Speed Ethernet Remote I/O (HSE-RIO) protocol, which outlines how interoperable gateways will bring data from remote devices back to plant automation platforms via the high-speed backbone.
The latest development, which is part of the foundation’s Wireless and Remote I/O initiative, establishes open, non-proprietary specifications for a wired HSE backhaul network, a wireless HSE backhaul integrating various wireless network gateways, and an interface to wireless field-device networks.
The fieldbus communication protocol is used for real-time distributed control of industrial devices. According to the Fieldbus Foundation, a non-profit coalition of process manufacturers and automation vendors, HSE-RIO technology can bring large concentrations of discrete and analog field I/O from modular devices back to the control room using a 100 megabit-per-second HSE connection. The addition of remote I/O further tightens the integration of process instrumentation within a Foundation control system infrastructure.
The HSE-RIO preliminary spec is now available to Fieldbus Foundation members for review. In addition to the HSE-RIO development team, the Fieldbus Foundation/ISA Cooperation (FIC) team is preparing specifications for the wireless HSE backhaul to the HSE-RIO gateway. The Wireless Sensor Interface Team is developing specifications for an interface for wireless sensor networks to the gateway.