FBM232 FOXBORO Field Device System Integrator Module

ETHERNET LINK SETUP：

Data communication between the FBM232 and field 

devices are through the RJ-45 connector located on 

the front of the FBM232 module. The RJ-45 

connector of the FBM232 can be connected through 

hubs, or through Ethernet switches to the field 

devices (refer to “ETHERNET HUBS AND 

SWITCHES” on page 8). Connection of multiple 

devices to the FBM232 requires a hub or switch.

CONFIGURATOR：

The FDSI configurator sets up the FBM232 XML 

based port and device configuration files. The port 

configurator allows for easy setup of the 

communication parameters for each port (such as, 

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), IP 

addresses). The device configurator is not needed for 

all devices, but when needed it configures device 

specific and point specific considerations (such as, 

scan rate, address of the data to be transferred, and 

the amount of data to be transferred in one 

transaction).

OPERATIONS：

The FBM232 can access up to 64 devices to read or 

write data. From the I/A Series control station to 

which the FBM232 is connected, up to 2000 

Distributed Control Interface (DCI) data connections 

can be made to read or write data. Supported data 

types are determined by the particular driver loaded 

on the FBM232, which converts the data to the DCI 

data types listed below:

 An analog input or output value (integer or IEEE 

single-precision floating point)

 A single digital input or output value

 Multiple (packed) digital input or output values 

(packed in groups of up to 32 digital points per 

connection).

Thus an I/A Series control station can access up to 

2000 analog I/O values, or up to 64000 digital I/O 

values, or a combination of digital and analog values 

using the FBM232. The frequency of access to the 

FBM232 data by a control station can be as fast as 

500 ms. The performance is dependant on each 

device type and the layout of data in the device.

The performance is dependant on each 

device type and the layout of data in the device.

The FBM232 collects the required data from the 

devices, performs the necessary conversions, and 

then stores the converted data in its database for 

incorporation into the I/A Series plant management 

functions and operator displays. Data may also be 

written out to the individual devices from the 

I/A Series system.