What is Fieldbus?
Fieldbus is a general term for a digital only, high speed communications protocol. The key attribute to Fieldbus communications is higher speed communications with the possibility of addressing multiple transmitters all on the same field wiring. The Foundation Fieldbus is a specific digital protocol that is often shortened to just be called Fieldbus. Other digital only communications such as Profibus are also Fieldbus protocols.
Intelligent devices, also referred to as smart sensors and intelligent field devices, are increasing in use throughout the industry. They have embedded microprocessors with the ability to network with other computer devices. This technology is available in products ranging from intelligent input/output cards (remote I/O) used on CNC machines to intelligent field devices used in the process control industry. Since these devices are generally required to exchange information with computer based controllers, a number of different communication links have emerged to meet the specific needs of the many different application environments. One of these links is Fieldbus. Originally envisioned as the communication link addressing the specific needs of field devices for the process control industry, Fieldbus has now evolved to meet the needs of any Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) application where smart sensors are applied.
