New Segment Calculator Tool for FOUNDATION™ fieldbus networks

2014 12 17

MTL are pleased to announce the release of a new software tool to assist network and planning engineers when designing and implementing FOUNDATION fieldbus ™ H1 networks. The tool models the behaviour of user-selectable power supplies and device couplers, and provides a rapid “Go/No-Go” indication of the electrical characteristics of the fieldbus network. All the relevant parameters of the fieldbus segment are easily configurable, including field device currents, cable lengths, cable cross-section and number of fieldbus spurs. Power supply, device coupler and host control system types are easily chosen from pull-down menus, or can be user-defined. The new 2.05 version merges the earlier, separate tools for Fieldbus Barriers and Megablock Device Couplers, and includes support for the latest technologies such as Ex ic spur connections.

The calculator uses a spreadsheet-based platform and does not require any executable programme files to be installed on the user’s machine – avoiding the need for special permissions or administrator rights. Parameters can be easily copied and pasted into other software applications or printed as a permanent record of the segment characteristics.

For more information click here.

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