FDI Tool Updates Available Now

FDI Tool Updates Available Now
FieldComm Group has released an update for all FDI development tools

FDI Device Package IDE

The FDI Package IDE makes writing, running and testing of FDI Device Packages and EDDs easier and more efficient by providing the complete tool chain you need for FOUNDATION Fieldbus, HART, HART-IP, PROFIBUS, PROFINET and ISA100 devices in one application. The Generic Protocol Extension allows developers to write and run device packages for any other protocol, such as Modbus or Ethernet/IP.

FDI Common Host Components

The FDI Common Host Components ‐ EDD Engine and UI Engine ‐ ensure that an FDI Device Package or an existing EDD behaves in the same way in various FDI host system architectures or EDD host system architectures. The EDD Engine supports the entire EDDL scope in a multiprotocol manner for FOUNDATION Fieldbus, HART, PROFIBUS and PROFINET, and is backward

compatible with FF EDDL binary formats *.ffo, *.ff5, and; the HART EDDL binary formats *.fm8 and *.fm6 and the PROFIBUS/PROFINET binary format *.bin. The UI Engine is independent of communication protocols. It generates the device specific user interfaces from a device description. System manufacturers will no longer need to integrate multiple interpreter components, this saves time and effort, and aims to contribute to improving the quality and interoperability of all host systems.

FDI EDD Engine X

FDI EDD Engine X provides application developers an OS-independent code base for integration with their specific platform, which could be Android or Linux environments. Using the FDI EDD Engine X ensures that an FDI Device Package or an existing EDD behaves in the same way in various FDI host system architectures or EDD host system architectures.

The FDI EDD Engine X supports the entire EDDL scope in a multiprotocol manner for FOUNDATION Fieldbus, HART, PROFIBUS and PROFINET, and is backward compatible with FF EDDL binary formats *.ffo, *.ff5, and; the HART EDDL binary formats *.fm8 and *.fm6 and the PROFIBUS/PROFINET binary format *.bin. HTML5 UIP support files are now included.

FDI Package Signing Tool

FieldComm Group understands the need for collaboration and FDI Packages are no exception. When a developer is ready to sign the finalized FDI Package, this may require IT resources on another computer, server, or in an entirely different office than your own. That's why we have made the FDI Package Signing Tool a free utility for members. The developers can continue to use the full FDI-IDE to update their sources, add documentation and UIPs, and then pass the finished package to their in-house IT security team to apply a digital signature. 

Features of this utility include:

SHA256 encryption algorithm
FDI Device Package signed with a secure timeserver 
User Interface and Command Line access

Contact Member Support to request the FDI Package Signing Tool.

What's new?

FDI Device Package IDE 1.5.1 contains critical updates to the HART Standard DD Library which is imported by developers into their *.fm8 EDD projects. The update provides embedded strings in lieu of dictionary references. This change is important to the forward and backward compatibility with hosts and addresses the appearance of blank strings when newer content added to the Standard DD Library was implemented in the *.fm8 EDDs.

Important updates in this release include: 

HART Sample Package was updated to use latest HART Standard DDs (v2022.1)
Package Signatures must be sha256 encryption
HART Tokenizer extended to support INIT/EXIT ACTIONs in MENUs
DeviceInfo bugs resolved
Built-in execution bugs resolved in Device Model Services and EDD Engine

Obtaining Version 1.5.1

New Purchases – Customers purchasing the FDI development tools will receive the instructions to download the software or project files. Orders can be placed at https://store.fieldcommgroup.org/collections/fdi

Current license holders will receive download instructions via a Technical Service Bulletin.

Stay Informed!
You are receiving this announcement as a Product and Technology News list subscriber. Please forward this to your colleagues who might be interested in receiving this information. They can subscribe to this and other distribution lists by completing this form on our website.