This event was supported by all twelve FDT Group member companies (Yokogawa, ABB, Endress+Hauser, Honeywell, Invensys, Metso Automation, Pepperl+Fuchs, Rockwell Automation, Samson, Turck, Vega, and Woodhead) as well as the oil & gas major Saudi Aramco.

All of the participating vendors displayed their latest products and solutions that support FDT/DTM. Yokogawa displayed the CENTUM CS 3000 R3 with PRM and the FOUNDATION fieldbus™ and HART enabled EJX910 with FieldMate.

Jim Sprague of Saudi Aramco gave an excellent keynote speech that explained the problems they currently face and their requirements for improvements in terms of “real-true” interoperability. Their main objective is to be able to utilize in the host/DCS all the features that are embedded in the field devices, regardless of whether the DCS and the devices all come from the same manufacturer. He showed a connectivity matrix for various combinations of host/DCS and control valves, and a similar matrix after FDT/DTM had been fully implemented by all vendors. The presentation also showed that Yokogawa’s CENTUM CS 3000 DCS is capable of communicating with valves from most of the major vendors using either a plug-in or DTM. The presentation revealed that Yokogawa has had the best communication capability, both before and after the FDT/DTM implementation. His key message was that “FDT provides the true interoperability that is required between devices and systems for an effective asset management.”

This was followed by a presentation from ABB explaining the FDT/DTM technology and a presentation on the benefits of using FDT by Yokogawa. A live demonstration comparing FDT and EDDL-based devices was then given by Invensys. The program also included two case studies of FDT applications.

Following these sessions, ABB, Invensys, and Yokogawa each conducted hands-on demonstrations with their host DCS. This arrangement was planned to give all attendees an introduction to three different FDT frames communicating with device DTMs using three different communication protocols (Profibus PA, HART, and FOUNDATION fieldbus). The Yokogawa workshop demonstrated FieldMate with the EJX910 (FOUNDATION fieldbus/HART) and the Metso valve positioner - which was used in all the demonstrations - to show that the same device DTM has the same look and feel in different FDT frames (ABB, Invensys, and Yokogawa hosts) and with different communication protocols.

The attendees showed a keen technical interest and engaged in animated conversations with the FDT experts during the panel discussions. Here, Yokogawa was represented by Hideyuki Sakamoto.

In their feedback, the attendees rated the event very highly and said they were anxious to start trials in their plants.

The event concluded with a social gathering at the hotel at which everyone enjoyed its panoramic view and a mesmerizing performance by a Latin jazz band.