Implementation of digital fieldbus networks—especially Foundation Fieldbus, Hart and Profibus PA—provides a method for moving that data from the device to an资产管理系统。The critical part of the whole system is displaying the information for a variety of users in such a way that critical information on each device is displayed so that the unique benefits and features of each manufacturer’s devices are available to the viewer, while still being shown in a standard format that isn’t confusing to the viewer.
Last month’s Technologies department（（2010年9月，第1页。16）讨论了处理这种可视化琐事的主要技术 - 电子设备描述语言（EDDL）。本月，我们仔细研究了其他主要技术 - 场设备类型/设备类型管理器（FDT/DTM）。两者之间最引人注目的区别是EDDL是基于文本的，而FDT是在Microsoft Windows上构建的。
FDT已被批准为ISA 103，这是国际自动化协会颁布的标准。国际电子技术委员会颁布的国际批准是IEC 62453。FDT集团北美营销总监Shannon Foos报告说，谈判已晋升为“严肃的讨论阶段”，以在北美开设FDT认证中心。她进一步报道说，春季会议正在进行中，以使人们聚集在一起，了解该技术的最新进展。
在Microsoft Windows基金会的基础上，FDT现在存在使用旧组件对象模型（COM）和分布式COM Technologies。FDT Group的技术人员一直在研究更新，该更新将把技术转移到当前的Microsoft .NET平台，而将COM/DCOM留在后面。FDT集团发布了该FDT 2.0标准的草案，以便其成员开始审核过程。FDT 2.0还将界面数量减少了近50％，以使开发和维护基于FDT的应用程序更加容易。
Users were slow to migrate to Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Vista. But the latest release from the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant—Windows 7—is a different situation. The latest release is reportedly easier to use, and stocked with new features. Most importantly, it drops support for COM/DCOM.
FDT Group technical committee member Michael Gunzert, in Karlsruhe, Germany, recommends for those upgrading to the latest Windows version to check all application software and see if it has been tested or re-released for Windows 7. Those using FDT should likewise check with frame application vendors to see if their products have been qualified and re-released for the new operating system. Gunzert notes that hardware drivers are quite likely affected and should be checked. “Vendors of FDT are updating and testing, and updating and releasing now. The first of these are on the market already, with others to follow in the next month.”
Genzert adds, “The new spec is based completely on .Net, so it is possible to make use of it for frame applications and for DTMs. Some benefits include a better and more convenient user interface, improved product specifications and better performance. It also includes support for additional requirements from factory automation—support for tools and configuration of programmable logic controllers (PLCs), for example. And we have designed in some security features to protect from malicious software. DTMs must be signed, and this can be checked automatically for developers. The new spec makes it easier to develop products by incorporating the latest development tools from .Net. Plus, this technology’s simplified architecture makes it easier to build client/server applications.”
加里·明彻尔（Gary Mintchell），，，，gmintchell@automationworld.com，，，，is Editor in Chief ofAutomation World。
