Yokogawa Releases FieldMate R3.03 Versatile Device Management Wizard

Tokyo, Japan - August 9, 2017

Yokogawa Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6841) announces the August 14 release of FieldMate^® R3.03, a significantly enhanced version of the FieldMate device management software tool. The FieldMate software has the versatile ability to configure, adjust, and manage a wide variety of field devices used in factories and other production sites.

In addition to having a function that displays past diagnostic data, this latest version of FieldMate includes new functions that provide a more intuitive visualization of pressure calibration data. Powerful new interfaces are also provided for connecting to devices that rely on non-standard protocols and connecting to host networks.

FieldMate R3.03
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Development Background

FieldMate runs on PCs and is used to configure, adjust, and manage devices in plants. With its support of a variety of digital communication standards, FieldMate can connect to and manage many different manufacturers' devices. This is a popular software tool that has been installed on more than 10,000 systems since 2006, and Yokogawa has steadily updated it with new functions that truly make it an all-in-one maintenance solution.

The functions added in release 3.03 make it significantly easier to adjust, check, and calibrate devices, facilitate the sharing of maintenance information by field and office personnel, and allow the connection to devices and instruments that use non-standard communication protocols.

Enhancements

1. New functions that makes it easier to calibrate differential pressure/pressure transmitters^*1
   Field devices must be periodically calibrated to maintain their accuracy. Differential pressure/pressure transmitters are widely used in plants, and their calibration requires skilled maintenance personnel. To calibrate a transmitter, a field engineer must apply pressure using a hand pump, measure that pressure with a pressure calibrator and a transmitter, and manually record the reading produced by the transmitter. This same procedure must be repeated at various standard pressure levels. Release 3.03 has a new function that clearly displays in real time the pressure calibrator and transmitter readings acquired from the pressure calibrator, and a new function that automatically records calibration data. With these functions, even inexperienced maintenance personnel can easily calibrate these devices.
2. Enhanced visualization of historical data needed to identify device deterioration
   This latest FieldMate release comes with a new function that displays previous measurements on a graph, which is useful, for example, in identifying changes over time in the adjustments needed to eliminate an offset from the zero point. Used together with a function that displays a list of diagnostic data, this can help personnel identify field devices and other types of equipment that are in need of maintenance. Previously, such assessments required a good deal of experience in analyzing measurement data. Thanks to the improved visualization of data with this new function, even inexperienced maintenance workers can accurately make these assessments.
3. New external interfaces^*2
   A new external interface is now available that facilitates connections to host systems, including those that rely on the cloud. This allows users to easily share FieldMate-generated maintenance reports with their colleagues in the field and back at the office.
   
   In addition, while FieldMate supports all the major communication protocols used by field devices, some plants still rely on field devices and other types of equipment that use unique, non-standard communication protocols. A new external interface is now available that enables FieldMate to connect to and handle data from devices that use such non-standard protocols.

Major Target Markets

Process industries such as oil, petrochemicals, chemicals, pulp and paper, pharmaceuticals, foods, and iron and steel

Applications

The configuration, adjustment, and troubleshooting of transmitters, analyzers, and other types of field devices in plants, and the management of information on these devices

FieldMate

FieldMate is a PC-based device configuration tool with an intuitive, user-friendly interface that is used to perform initial setup, routine maintenance, and device replacement. It supports all major industry-standard communication protocols such as FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus, BRAIN, and HART^®, as well as the FDT/DTM^*3 open software execution framework. In addition, support for the ISA100.11a field wireless communications standard enables the configuration and adjustment of any vendor's network-capable field devices, regardless of which communications protocol is used. With the aim of helping its customers improve their maintenance efficiency, Yokogawa has continued to improve this product.

*1 Requires the use of the CA700 pressure calibrator from Yokogawa Meters & Instruments Corporation

*2 Available on a special order basis

*3 Field Device Tool (FDT) is a standard communications interface that links control systems with field devices such as pressure transmitters and flowmeters. It was developed and is promoted by the FDT Group, a non-profit organization. Device Type Manager (DTM) is an FDT-based device driver that is provided by device and control system vendors.

 

About Yokogawa

Yokogawa's global network of 113 companies spans 60 countries. Founded in 1915, the US$3.5 billion company engages in cutting-edge research and innovation. Yokogawa is active in the industrial automation and control (IA), test and measurement, and aviation and other businesses segments. The IA segment plays a vital role in a wide range of industries including oil, chemicals, natural gas, power, iron and steel, pulp and paper, pharmaceuticals, and food. Targeting this segment, Yokogawa helps companies maximize their profits by offering a wide range of highly reliable products and working with the subsidiary KBC Advanced Technologies to provide premium solutions and services. For more information about Yokogawa, please visit www.yokogawa.com.

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