Austin, Texas, August 21, 2012 – The Fieldbus Foundation today announced updates to its DesignMATE™ software tool, a software download that allows plant automation professionals to audit segment layouts. The updates cover DesignMATE's library of registered devices, and revised terminology used within the software to align with current FOUNDATION™ fieldbus installations.
The user-friendly DesignMATE automatically audits segment layouts for conformance with the FOUNDATION physical layer specification, which is based on the international IEC 61158-2 (Type 1) standard. End-users can feel confident their fieldbus infrastructure will work with desired parameters such as cable length, number and type of installed devices, and selected power supplies.
The DesignMATE software provides an intuitive graphical user interface and mouse support, enabling fieldbus segment design "on the fly" with drag & drop capabilities. The tool displays fieldbus segments in the form of an exportable image of a stylized topology. A printable report in Rich Text Format (.rtf) is also available. Users can analyze and check key physical layer parameters, such as supply voltage, load conditions at all terminals of power supply, fieldbus couplers and field instruments. An error log indicates deviations from the FOUNDATION specification in clear text visuals for immediate remedy by the user.
To download a free copy of DesignMate, please visit the Fieldbus Foundation website's Technical Reference page. Technical support for DesignMATE is available on Fieldbus Forums. For information about other FOUNDATION fieldbus technology solutions, please visit the foundation's Technical Reference Page, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 512-794-8890, Ext. 21. A short "How-To" video for the DesignMATE segment verification tool is available through the Fieldbus Foundation's YouTube channel.
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