FDT Group

The FDT test system, built up for the first interoperability project in 2005 and extended with the interoperability projects 2 and 3, is now turned into a permanent test and certification laboratory.

The system is located at the facility of Dietz Automation in Neukirchen, Germany. It is now accessible not only during the interoperability project workshops, but also whenever a company requests a test session matching its development progress. The opportunity of remote tests via internet offers comfortable access for developers all over the world.  The current system consists of 10 FDT frame applications (systems or engineering tools) from 6 vendors, 35 different devices with DTMs from 14 vendors and 6 communication DTMs from 4 vendors. It uses the most familiar digital protocols PROFIBUS, HART, and FOUNDATION Fieldbus.

This first permanent test system is accessible to all FDT members and will be maintained and operated by Dietz Automation. All kinds of FDT/DTM tests scenarios can be performed such as DTM tests in the different frames, DTM interoperability with other DTMs, frame tests with different communication and device DTMs etc.

Since interoperability testing has shown that it improves device integration into systems and tools, FDT Group has decided to make Interoperability testing part of the FDT certification process starting mid 2009. FDT Group members should as of now use the opportunity to test their products in a large and diverse system environment.