INVENSYS ENHANCES FOXBORO AUTOMATION SYSTEM SUPPORT FOR HART FIELD DEVICES

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INVENSYS ENHANCES FOXBORO AUTOMATION SYSTEM SUPPORT FOR HART FIELD DEVICES
21 October 2003 - Invensys plc

As demonstrated at both the HART Foundation and FDT Joint Interest Group exhibits at ISA EXPO 2003, Foxboro Automation Systems, a unit of Invensys, has introduced exciting Field Device Tool (FDT)-based software tools that open up important new HART capabilities for I/A Series system users.

These new FDT-enabled HART capabilities include:

A common, productivity-enhancing configuration, diagnostic, and support.

Environment across all HART field instrumentation, FoxCom field devices, and - in the near future - all FOUNDATION fieldbus devices.

A wide variety of increasingly more capable software applications from Foxboro, other instrument vendors, and third parties can now be plugged right into the I/A Series automation system to help speed instrument configuration, simplify support, and maximize instrument utilization.

Real-time device data from HART and other intelligent field instrumentation can now be passed up through the I/A Series system into Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) packages, such as Invensys' own Avantis software, to support advanced, condition-based predictive monitoring and maintenance; as well as conventional EAM functions. The latter includes preventive maintenance, materials management, supply chain management, and work order management.

Foxboro's rugged, optionally redundant I/A Series Fieldbus (I/O) Modules and exclusive redundant/fault-tolerant high-speed Ethernet fieldbus network maximize the benefits of HART and other smart field protocols by providing users with the option of securely distributing the system I/O remotely in the field to dramatically reduce their field wiring costs.

Foxboro's HART Fieldbus Modules operate in conjunction with I/A Series Control Processors to provide real-time access to process data and status, plus on-demand access to field device parameters and diagnostics. Each Fieldbus Module channel provides both a 4-20mA analog signal and a HART digital signal, so users have the option of mixing conventional 4-20mA field devices with their HART smart field devices. As part of a long-term field upgrade program, this would allow users to integrate smart transmitters that might already be installed and/or gradually update their conventional field devices to HART using maintenance budgets.

-Advanced features of Foxboro's well-proven HART Fieldbus Modules for the I/A Series system include:

-8 channels per Fieldbus Module, each with its own dedicated HART modem for optimum throughput

-100 millisecond response for 4-20mA process inputs and outputs

-Up to 4 secondary variables per channel can be utilized for monitoring and/or control through HART digital communications

-Redundant configurations available for mission-critical applications

-modules can be replaced without removing field device termination cabling, power, or communication cabling

-Power distribution security and support for field device power.

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About: Invensys plc
Invensys is a global automation, controls and process solutions Group. We empower you to increase productivity, reduce waste, remove cost from your supply chain, boost profitability and demonstrate measurable improvement in your company's overall performance.
As a global leader in resource productivity, Invensys offers products and services, expertise, and technologies that enable you to maximize return on investments, conserve resources and optimize performance across your value chain.

Operating in more than 60 countries worldwide, Invensys meets the needs of the process and batch industries - from oil & gas, powerand utilities, chemicals, and rail systems to food & beverage, healthcare, and data communications - as well as the discrete and hybrid manufacturing sectors, and provides components, systems and services to the heating management, commercial refrigeration, residential safety and automotive industries, and electronic and electro-mechanical systems and components to appliance and related industries.

Not only do we help improve your bottom line, by enabling you to manage your assets more efficiently, but we also help you to protect the environment. As the result of our efforts, we have been awarded the prestigious Energy Star Label by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Taking an integrated strategic approach to increasing your productivity, we enable you to increase output from your existing plants and technology investments, provide you with solutions that create more efficiencies in your supply chain, and increase performance at every level.

From the production line to executive offices, from customer relationship and procurement management to distribution logistics, we can help you improve productivity, optimize performance, and increase profitability.

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