PACTware Consortium

 
 

What does FDT mean?


FDT stands for Field Device Tool and is the name of a standardised interface. PACTware is based on FDT technology. This technology specifies the data exchange between the system level (FDT frame application) and field instruments.

The easiest way to explain the technology is by using an example from the office world: if a new device such as e.g. a printer is installed under Windows, it is done by installing a suitable driver. This printer driver (device driver) is device and manufacturer-specific and comes with the printer. The device thus provides its own user interface. Communication between operating system and printer is carried out via defined interfaces.

The FDT concept transfers this idea to the world of automation: each communicating field instrument has an electronic device description that can be integrated into the system environment. With FDT technology, a standard was created that allows instruments to be integrated into different adjustment interfaces (frame applications such as e.g. PACTware). Hence FDT enables open, universal instrument operation from the control level right down to the field, independent of the bus systems used.

Like the printer driver in the office world, the field instrument in the FDT world brings along its own driver, including user interface. This driver is called Device Type Manager, in short, DTM. It comprises all data and functions of the field instrument. A DTM can cover only one instrument type, or in some cases a complete family of instruments.


What are the benefits of FDT?


FDT offers
  • an open, platform-independent, standardised interface (IEC PAS 62453)
  • a free choice of the engineering tool
  • a free choice of the field devices to be used



What is an FDT frame application?


The FDT frame application
  • contains the DTM device catalogue of the communication and device DTMs installed on the computer
  • enables the logical point-to-point communication of the DTMs with the corresponding instruments via any network topology (routing)
  • takes over the data archive
  • administrates access authorisations (roles) and access profiles
  • requires no device-specific information

PACTware is a lean and very efficient frame application according to the FDT standard. FDT is manufacturer independent. Whereas the PACTware Consortium takes care of the development and maintenance of the frame application PACTware, the FDT Group is the custodian of the FDT specification. You can find further information under www.fdt-group.org.



 

 



Cooperation between PACTware and FDT


The PACTware Consortium and the FDT Group agreed on a cooperation. You can find further details here:

Cooperation between PACTware Consortium e.V. and FDT Group

Press release, English, HMI 2004
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Agreement between PACTware Consortium e.V. and FDT Group

English, 09.06.2004
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FDT/DTM and DDL: Friends, not foes!

Press release, 16.06.2004
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