什么是现场总线基金会？
现场总线基金会一个由处于全球领导定位的控制和仪表供应商共同组建的组织。其目的是加速独立、开放、互操作的现场总线规范的开发进度和被业界所接受，以及为需要使用该总线的自动化厂商提供相关硬件和软件技术。
What is the Fieldbus Foundation?
The Fieldbus Foundation is a consortium of leading controls and instrumentation suppliers throughout the world. Its purpose is to accelerate development and acceptance of a single, open, interoperable fieldbus specification, as well as hardware and software technology for companies that wish to implement it in their automation products.
现场总线基金会与其他现场总线有何本质区别？
现场总线基金会通过大量努力来建立一个独立的、国际化和可被接受的协议。本组织会员几乎涵盖了全球所有仪表和控制设备主导厂商和一些主要用户，来确保基金会现场总线（FF）技术在商业上获得成功。
What differentiates the Fieldbus Foundation from other fieldbus initiatives?
The Fieldbus Foundation brings critical mass to the effort to establish a single, internationally acceptable protocol. The organization, which represents nearly all of the major instrumentation and control suppliers worldwide as well as many of the major users, will ensure that its FOUNDATION fieldbus technology will be successful in the marketplace.
什么是基金会现场总线？
基金会现场总线（FF）是一种双向通信协议，用与现场仪表和控制系统之间的通信。
What is FOUNDATION fieldbus?
FOUNDATION fieldbus is a bi-directional communications protocol used for communications among field instrumentation and control systems.
为何具有独特性？
基金会现场总线（FF）是唯一能够满足ISA SP50要求的数字化现场总线协议，也是唯一满足本安相关严格要求的协议，能够用于危险区域、不稳定过程控制和不易调整环境。
与其他协议不同，基金会现场总线为功能块的精确和周期性执行提供控制和通信同步，而不需要通信时间戳的引入。根据时间调度在设备间传输数据来支持功能块调度和报警时间戳的现在检测。功能块的使用支持基本的测量和控制特性，可在不同的厂商设备之间实现这些操作。因此，可以节省操作培训、维护和工程实施的时间。控制工程师能够使用功能块来解决问题，无需了解10到20个厂商提供的不同功能块细节。
Why is it unique?
FOUNDATION fieldbus is the only digital fieldbus protocol developed to meet the ISA"s SP50 requirements, and is the only protocol that meets stringent, mission-critical demands for intrinsic safety and use in hazardous areas, volatile processes and difficult regulatory environments.
Unlike other protocols, FOUNDATION fieldbus provides explicit synchronization of control and communication for precise, periodic execution of control functions without deadtime or jitter introduced by communications. It delivers time distribution to fieldbus devices for support of Function Block scheduling and alarm time-stamping at the point of detection. The use of Function Blocks allows basic features in measurement and control to be consistently implemented in devices from different manufacturers. Thus, the time required for operator training, maintenance and engineering will be reduced. Control engineers will be able to apply Function Blocks to solve problems without becoming experts in using the Function Blocks of 10 or 20 different vendors.
其优势是什么？
支持不同厂商的现场仪表和系统之间互操作，基金会现场总线使用户能灵活添加新设备到现场总线，而不影响当前控制功能函数的运行。可以在不停车的情况下改变工厂操作流程。
基金会现场总线的其他优势还包括减少线缆、单个现场仪表提供多个变量、增强现场级控制、简化集成和维护。总之，现场总线将成为柔性制造、提高生产力和产品质量、改进生产流程的关键要素。
What are its benefits?
By enabling digital interoperability among field instruments and systems from a variety of companies, FOUNDATION fieldbus offers users the flexibility to add new devices with the confidence that active control functions on the fieldbus will not be disrupted. Changes to improve plant operation can be made without waiting for a scheduled plant shutdown.
Other benefits of FOUNDATION fieldbus include reduced wiring, multi-variables from a single field instrument, enhanced field-level control, simpler integration and easier maintenance. Ultimately, fieldbus will be the key to greater manufacturing flexibility and productivity, higher quality products, and improved regulatory compliance.
现场总线互操作如何定义？
互操作指能够在现场总线网络上增加仪表，仪表间能互相通信且能够被控制系统统一管理。用户能够通过一个操作接口操作整个工厂，同时能够通过一个维护应用软件来维护所有设备。基金会现场总线协议和其应用软件为不同厂商间的现场设备和主机应用软件之间互操作提供了唯一的解决方案。
How is interoperability defined in relation to fieldbus?
Interoperability refers to the ability to plug digital instruments onto a fieldbus network and have them communicate with each other and supervisory control systems. Users want to operate their entire plant from one operator interface and maintain all devices on the system with one maintenance application. FOUNDATION fieldbus protocol and application is the only solution that offers this capability when the host application is purchased from a different manufacturer than the field device.
基金会成员企业是否拥有基金会现场总线的所有权？
不！本组织的基本原则是基金会现场总线可被所有人使用。基金会现场总线技术对所有需要的公司开放。
Do foundation member companies have proprietary rights to FOUNDATION fieldbus?
No! A key tenet of the organization is that its fieldbus is available to all. FOUNDATION fieldbus technology is open to any company that wishes to implement it.
现场总线与当前应用的各种设备级网络有何不同？
尽管现场总线网络和设备级网络频繁得作为竞争方案出现，但是在它们的功能上和使用上有极大的不同。与其他通信网络所不同的是，现场总线网络结合了建立在应用层上的用户层，在控制器和现场设备上都可以自行控制程序。同时，与设别级网络显著不同在于现场总线支持本安型现场设备，能够用于危险区域。
设备级网络，其特性为短数据报文的高速通信，在处理离散型自动控制操作中可以与现场总线配合使用。设备级网络适用于有限数据设备通信场合，如机械控制。
How does fieldbus differ from the various device-level networks now in use?
Although fieldbus networks and device-level networks are frequently seen as competitive solutions, they are quite different in their functionality and use. Unlike other communications networks, fieldbus networks incorporate a User Layer that resides on top of an Application Layer and can perform control procedures at the field device as well as in the controller. Fieldbus also differs significantly from device-level networks in its ability to provide intrinsic safety for field devices used in hazardous locations.

Device-level networks, with their ability to communicate small packets of information at a high speed, may be used in conjunction with fieldbus in some applications to handle discrete automation functions. Device-level networks are appropriate for devices with limited data and for dedicated applications such as machine control.
那些应用需要现场总线？
现场总线支持设备数据的长报文通信，适用于大量复杂控制和自动化操作。
What applications are best suited to fieldbus?
Because it can communicate large packets of device data, fieldbus is appropriate for a host of complex control and automation applications.
在现场总线技术领域，现场总线基金会还有其他什么活动？
现场总线基金会提供现场总线培训和技术支持服务，提供互操作测试，相关现场试验和商业展示。基金会还发起了终端用户咨询委员会。
What are the Fieldbus Foundation"s other activities in the area of fieldbus technology?
The Fieldbus Foundation provides fieldbus education and technical support services, supports interoperability testing, and coordinates field trials and trade show exhibits. The foundation also sponsors an End Users Advisory Council.
什么是终端用户咨询委员会？
终端用户咨询委员会专为将要安装和使用现场总线的用户对于研究工作提供一个发言的平台。本组织每年开两到三次讨论会，讨论的话题为用户特定的装置和工业环境。同时也回顾技术的发展趋势。
What is the End Users Advisory Council?
The End Users Advisory Council is designed to give people who are going to install and use fieldbus a voice in the direction of the development work. The group meets two to three times per year to discuss issues involving their specific plants and industries. In addition, they review technology directions.
是否通过了通信栈的一致性测试？
是的。已经有10项通信栈在Fraunhofer Institute通过了一致性测试并且已注册。它们为：
NI - Linkｍａｓｔｅｒ(AT card), 2 Basic
Softing - Linkｍａｓｔｅｒ(AT card) and Basic
Smar International Co. - Basic
Yamatake - Basic
Rosemount, Inc. - Basic
Fisher Controls (NI)
Honeywell (Softing)

Have any communications stacks passed conformance testing?
Yes, there are ten (10) communications stacks which have passed the Conformance testing process at the Fraunhofer Institute and are now Registered. They are:

NI - Linkｍａｓｔｅｒ(AT card), 2 Basic
Softing - Linkｍａｓｔｅｒ(AT card) and Basic
Smar International Co. - Basic
Yamatake - Basic
Rosemount, Inc. - Basic
Fisher Controls (NI)
Honeywell (Softing)
根据基金会的技术，如何实现现场设备的互操作？是否有一些注册的设备？
基金会要求来自两家会员厂商的设备包含相同的功能块，在不同的通信栈下通过互操作测试，且拥有该功能块的设备都已注册。当前已注册产品列表在一下网址可获得：（网址不知道在哪里？）
现场总线基金会在线产品列表中提供了注册设备的信息，包括用来互操作测试的标准功能块，存在的未经测试功能块和其他相关有用信息。
In accordance with FOUNDATION technology, what makes field devices 搃nteroperable?and are there any Registered devices?
The foundation requires devices from two different members, containing the same function block but different communication stacks, pass the Interoperability testing process before any device with that block is registered. A current list of registered products is available on this website.
Fieldbus Foundation"s online product catalog gives registered device information, including which standard blocks were tested for Interoperability, the presence of untested function blocks (if any), and additional useful information about the device.
基金会现场总线的控制功能是否只局限于主机？
用户可以选择将控制功能放置在主机中（PC,DCS,PLC），现场设备中或者两者都有。基金会技术为用户提供了必要的工具来选择控制算法的存放位置。基金会不提倡采用特殊的控制策略。
Is control limited to the Host within FOUNDATION fieldbus?
The end user may choose to put control in the Host (PC, DCS, PLC), in the field devices, or between them. FOUNDATION technology provides the necessary tools to power the end user"s preference of where to place his control algorithms. The foundation does not advocate a particular control strategy.
基金会现场总线现场应用情况如何？
当前全球已有不少基金会技术的安装使用。这些使用不一定需要注册现场设备。提供设备的会员企业相信这些安装使用符合基金会规范，并在不久的将来能够成为注册产品的一部分。这些安装使用为基金会技术的全球应用增强了实际信心。
Is FOUNDATION fieldbus currently being used in any 搑eal world?applications?
Presently, there are a number of working installations of the foundation"s technology around the world. These installations do not necessarily contain Registered field devices. The member companies who supplied the equipment believe that these installations do comply with the foundation"s specifications and that the installations will be comprised of Registered products in the near future. These installations do provide strong evidence that the technology is working effectively in real world applications.
基金会现场总线是否具有高速性能？
现场总线基金会管理委员会开发了一种高速以太网方案，使用标准的以太网硬件和软件。这个方案在1998年8月发布了规范草案，1998年11月做了外部评论，原型测试也与同年12月着手进行。最终版规范预计要到1999年末发布。第一个HSE产品将会在2000年第1季度注册。
尽管基金会认为在当前的绝大多数连续过程控制项目中无需要高速传输通道，但高速以太网的性能能够满足用户安装大量设备的场合中应用。
Does FOUNDATION fieldbus have a high speed capability?
The Fieldbus Foundation"s Board of Directors has authorized an aggressive development program for the addition of High Speed Ethernet capability, using standard Ethernet hardware and software wherever possible. This program delivered Draft Preliminary Specifications in August 1998, with an external review in October 1998 and prototype testing underway in December 1998. Final specifications should be ready for release by the end of 1999. The first HSE products should be registered during the first quarter 2000.
Though it is the foundation"s position that there is no need for a high speed backbone on the vast majority of today"s continuous process control projects, the delivery of High Speed Ethernet capability will meet the needs of end users planning the largest types of installations requiring this high speed performance.