ABB's HSE Linking device FIO-100 registered by Fieldbus Foundation™

One of the first devices to meet this comprehensive new connectivity standard Mannheim, Germany, June 25, 2001 ABB announced today that its High-Speed Ethernet (HSE) Linking device FIO-100 is one of the very first devices registered by the Fieldbus Foundation to this rigorous new standard. With the availability of the FIO-100, ABB's Industrial IT portfolio now supports an HSE based solution for communication in the field. The FIO-100 registration is a significant milestone for ABB in its development of an open and integrated FOUNDATION fieldbus network architecture. HSE Linking devices (LDs) integrate H1 (31.25 kbit/s) fieldbus segments into the HSE backbone, thus providing access to H1 fieldbus segments from any Ethernet based network (10 - 1000 Mbit/s). HSE LDs also provide Link Master capability for the downstream H1 segments.

"This registration represents a major step forward in the direction of open Ethernet based fieldbus solutions, which offers enormous, benefit potential to automation customers everywhere,"explained Hans Holmstrom, Vice President of the Business Unit Industral IT within ABBs Automation Technology Products division. "HSE offers enormous potential to the industry for standardized, fast, enterprisewide exchange of information. We are pleased to be involved in this international development activity which enables us now to deliver open, interoperable, Ethernet-based fieldbus solution to the global automation market."

H1 and HSE were specifically designed as complementary networks. H1 is optimized for traditional process control applications, while HSE, which employs low-cost, Commercial Off-the-shelf (COTS) Ethernet equipment, is designed for high-performance control applications and plant information integration. The combined H1/HSE fieldbus solution allows for full integration of basic and advanced process control, and hybrid/batch/discrete control subsystems, with higher level, supervisory applications. H1/HSE provides the key to optimum enterprise performance by removing unneeded I/O conversion equipment and gateways, thus 'flattening' the pyramid of systems and networks. This flat, integrated architecture provides increased plant uptime (through improved diagnostics and operator information), increased performance, and reduced costs.

"With the availability of registered HSE linking devices end users can implement a plant-wide unified architecture providing sensor integration. This enables field device and subsystem interoperability, and 'sensors to the boardroom" information integration through a proven, function block-based application interface", explains David A. Glanzer, director of technology development at Fieldbus Foundation, "This provides tremendous value for end users."

The registration of HSE linking devices follows the release of the Fieldbus Foundation's High Speed Ethernet (HSE) Testing Kit (HTK) 1.0 in May 2001. HSE final specifications were released in March of last year after extensive laboratory testing at the foundation's facilities and completion of a field demonstration at Lee College in Baytown, Texas.

The Fieldbus Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation consisting of over 160 leading process and manufacturing automation companies worldwide whose major purpose is to provide an open and neutral environment for the development of a single, international, interoperable fieldbus. In this environment, end users, manufacturers, universities and research organizations are working together to develop the technology, provide development tools, support and training, coordinate field trials and demonstrations, and enable product interoperability.

ABB's award-winning portfolio of integrated Industrial IT solutions address the challenges that automation customers face in today's e-business environment. These products are the latest step in ABB's continued promise of integrated e-enabled process solutions that link the entire enterprise. As the world's largest provider of industrial automation technologies, ABB has helped industry leaders worldwide to achieve integrated, real-time solutions for automation and information across the enterprise. ABB's comprehensive Industrial IT portfolio of compatible products - coupled with more than 20,000 software, application, and service professionals worldwide - is focused on delivering productivity and profits to automation customers. ABB's product strategy is for evolution through enhancement to protect customer investment ABB is the world's largest automation supplier; the company's automation technology products division includes major product areas such as control products and systems, manufacturing execution systems, instrumentation, analytical devices, meters, robotics, drives, motors and machines. ABB serves manufacturing, process and consumer industries, utilities, and the oil and gas sector markets with 160,000 employees in more than 100 countries.

ABB Automation - Control Products, 29801 Euclid Avenue, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Tel: 800-626-4999 ; Fax: 614-261-2172.