Integration of fieldbus systems into on-line asset management solutions based on fieldbus profile descriptions

The use of fieldbus installations enables access to device information important for advanced functions like synthesizing plant data for asset management. Until now, this information is used only inadequately, since this information can only be integrated into existing applications with considerable expenditure. The paper shows an object-oriented asset management solution based on fieldbus profile descriptions. It realizes an additional, self-configuring information channel between field and plant control level. Clients can access application modules via TCP/IP networks. These modules can be loaded dynamically at run time. They implement enhanced functionality suitable for asset management tasks.