Technical Specifications

ValVueFF Software Interface to FVP
12
GE Energy
Configuring the Interface Card
The configuration of a PC for use with ValVueFF varies depending on the immediate task.
If ValVueFF is used to maintain or configure a valve on a working Foundation Fieldbus
segment, the PC running ValVueFF must configured carefully so it does not interfere with
control communication. Two configurations are described in:
❑ “Configuring the Interface Card for Offline Use” on page 12
❑ “Configuring a Device with Third Party Software” on page 14
When an FVP positioner is running on a segment that cannot be disturbed, the interface
card and PC are configured as a BASIC DEVICE at a Visitor address. Open the
configuration utility, NI-FBUS Interface Configuration Utility, and follow the instructions in
the NI manual.
Configuring the Interface Card for Offline Use
The visitor configuration, described previously, does not work if the only devices that are
connected to the segment are a FVP positioner and an NIFB interface card. This is
because there is no Link Master to schedule messages. It is necessary to configure the
interface card as a Link Master. The Interface Name and Device Tag can be any
convenient names. The names are not seen by any other interfaces and are not
important.
Installing the Device Descriptions with NI-FBUS Interface Configuration Utility
The NI-FBUS Interface Configuration Utility must be used to install the DD for the FVP
and to install the standard dictionary:
1. Select Start > Programs > National Instruments > NI-FBUS > Utilities > Interface
Configuration Utility and the window appears (Figure 2).
Figure 2 Interface Configuration Utility