Digital fieldbus-Analog system integration for revamping projects

Abstract

This paper presents a system integration of modern digital fieldbus and traditional analog devices for revamping projects. Using temperature transmitter with Foundation Fieldbus technology and power regulator with 4-20 mA control input for temperature control based on a PID instruction of programmable logic controller (PLC) is examined as an illustrative case study. A portable plant model was designed and implemented for real hands-on training. In addition, basic network and device configurations as well as ladder logic program and graphical user interface creations are discussed. Experimental results of temperature control in the range of 40-60 °C verifying the proposed concept are also included.