Common Industrial Protocol gathers pace

An ODVA product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 27, 2005

ODVA and the FDT Joint Interest Group have agreed on joint activities with the aim of incorporating FDT technologies into software tools that support networks built on the Common Industrial Protocol.

ODVA and the FDT Joint Interest Group (FDT JIG) have agreed on a common understanding of joint activities, with the aim of incorporating FDT technologies into software tools that support networks built on the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP).

Under the joint activities, ODVA's CIP Software Tools Joint Special Interest Group (jSIG) will develop specification enhancements to incorporate FDT technology into the configuration of devices on CIP networks.

Current network technologies built on CIP include EtherNet/IP and DeviceNet, their safety extensions (EtherNet/IP Safety and DeviceNet Safety), and ControlNet.

CIP and EtherNet/IP are owned and managed by ODVA in conjunction with ControlNet International under a technology co-operation agreement.

FDT technology defines interfaces between device-specific software components provided by device manufacturers - called Device Type Managers (DTM) - and the engineering systems provided by system manufacturers.

Under the joint activities, ODVA will also extend its conformance testing process to include the testing of DTMs intended for use with products for CIP Networks, providing "one-stop" conformance testing and certification for product developers.

For its part, the FDT JIG has formed a Project Group for CIP Networks (the PG CIP) to develop extensions to the FDT technology specifications as required to support CIP Networks.

ODVA Executive Director Katherine Voss comments: "ODVA is committed to providing industry with open, interoperable networks, which is a huge benefit for network users and network product developers.

It has freed users to choose best of breed products, confident that they will be able to communicate seamlessly across multiple network layers and multiple network segments.

This agreement with FDT represents an important piece of the puzzle, because it means that users will now benefit from more freedom to choose the best of breed products with the added confidence that configuration will also be simplified through the use of expert software tools.

"It will also give developers a network-independent framework that will reduce the number of configuration software tools that they are required to support", she continues.

"This will shorten development times so that products can be brought to market more quickly".

FDT Joint Interest Group's Scott Bump says: "The FDT technology was developed to help deliver the full capabilities of all fieldbus devices and networks to their users".

"FDT breaks down the proprietary barriers in control systems, opening those systems to smart applications that can utilise all of the advanced features of fieldbus devices".

"The FDT JIG is very excited about our joint activities with ODVA, which extend the scope of the FDT technology to all CIP networks and to all products based on CIP".