Technical Specifications

ValVueFF Software Interface to FVP

GE Energy

Wiring Requirements

There are cable requirements that must be adhered to for reliable installations. The cable

used must support the digital data signals without reflections, noise, or attenuation. There

are three qualities of cable specified in Fieldbus Foundation AG-140. The type A cable is

used whenever possible and especially for long transmission distances or for segments

with many branches (spurs).

Power Conditioner Use a power conditioner for each segment. The conditioner must

be Foundation Fieldbus compliant. The power conditioner func-

tions to isolate the digital signals from the power source.

Power Supply The FVP positioner complies with the foundation specification

voltage requirements of 9 to 32 V. The power supply must con-

form to these requirements with consideration for the current

drawn by all devices powered by the segment. The FVP maxi-

mum current consumption is 17 mA.

Terminator Every fieldbus segment requires two, and only two, approved ter-

minators. Terminators are passive circuits that damp signal reflec-

tions in the circuit. See AG-140 for the rules for terminator

location. For simple segments having short runs and few spurs

the terminator location can be at each end of the longest cable.

For very short cables both terminators can be located in the

power supply.

Installing NIFB Software and Hardware

ValVueFF software interfaces to the fieldbus segment through the requires PC interface

card. The card is supplied with NI-FBUS installation software. ValVueFF is designed to

operate only with National Instruments NI-FBUS cards. There is an ISA bus card for

desktop computers (ATFBUS) and a PCMCIA card for notebook computers

(PCMCIA-FBUS) and installation differs. There are two NI configuration tools that serve

separate purposes:

❑ NI-FBUS Interface Configuration Utility - This is used to install and set up interface

boards. It provides access to IRQ and memory settings needed for Windows. It

provides tools for importing DDs. It is described in the Getting Started manual

supplied with the NI-FBUS interface card.

❑ NI-FBUS Fieldbus Configuration System -This is the tool for configuring the

Foundation Fieldbus network, including the devices, setting up the control strategy,

and schedule. It is described in the NI-FBUS Configurator User Manual installed in

the program online help. After opening the NI-FBUS Fieldbus Configuration

System. Select Help > Online Help to open the manual in PDF format.