GE Fanuc adds BIM Profibus interface to 8000 Process I／O

　　December 5, 2008 - GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms announced a Profibus-DP Bus Interface Module for its line of 8000 General Purpose and Intrinsically Safe I/O.

　　The new Profibus BIM supports the pass through of HART variable and status data with 8-channel HART AI or AO modules. Communications to popular instrument management software, including AMS and FDT- based packages, is over Ethernet. The FDT applications are supported through DTM software provided by GE Fanuc. Through this interface, access to all of the smart features of HART devices, calibration and maintenance history for individually addressable devices, and an instrument database, are available to instrument management software packages.

　　“GE Fanuc believes that Process customers should have the freedom to choose their fieldbus,” said Jim Leatherby, Product Manager for GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms. “The new Profibus Bus Interface Module (BIM) provides the interface between a Profibus-DP master and up to 32 8000 Process I/O modules. It is designed to the Profibus DPv1 standard, which supports both cyclic and acyclic communications, and a pair of BIMs can be used in a redundant configuration providing for increased reliability and uptime.”

　　“GE Fanuc understands the space constraints that often exist in the field,” said Dave Reynolds, Product Marketing Manager for GE Fanuc’s Process Solutions. “The Profibus BIM is about the size of an I/O module, reducing the overall footprint of the system and saving our customers on cabinetry and installation costs.”

　　About GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms

　　GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms, a joint venture between General Electric (NYSE: GE) and FANUC LTD of Japan, is a high-performance technology company and a global provider of hardware, software, services, expertise and experience in automation and embedded computing, with products employed in virtually every industry, including manufacturing automation, process automation, defense, automotive, telecommunications, healthcare and aerospace. GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms is a worldwide company headquartered in Charlottesville, VA and is part of GE Enterprise Solutions.