Chapter 1 FP-3000 Network Module OverviewFieldPoint FP-3000 User Manual1-4 ©National Instruments CorporationInteroperabilityThe FP-3000 network module can send or receive data from anyFieldbus-compliant device. The PID block in the FP-3000 can get its inputfrom any Fieldbus-compliant device; it can also control anyFieldbus-compliant output device.The control and I/O functionality of the FP-3000 can be configured by anyFieldbus configurator, such as the National Instruments NI-FBUSConfigurator. This is possible because all of the features added by NationalInstruments are described using Device Descriptions. AnyFieldbus-compliant HMI package or OPC server can also access theFP-3000 function blocks.Link Active Scheduler (LAS) FunctionalityFieldbus networks require a Link Active Scheduler (LAS) to controlcommunications on the Fieldbus. The FP-3000 can act as a primary orback-up Link Active Scheduler. This enables the FP-3000 to execute PIDand other function blocks without a PC connected to the network. If a PCis connected and the PC goes down, the FP-3000 takes over the bus andexecutes the control without causing a bump.HotPnP (Hot Plug and Play)FP-3000 network modules can be added or removed from H1 Fieldbusnetworks without affecting other Fieldbus devices.You can insert or remove I/O modules into FieldPoint terminal bases whilethe power is on, even if the FP-3000 is already operational. The otherI/O modules connected to the FP-3000 are fully operational during thisprocess. You do not need to power down the FP-3000, Fieldbus network, oreven a bank to insert or remove I/O modules. You do not need to restart thehost computer software to use the HotPnP feature. You can replace anI/O module only with another I/O module of the same type.Field UpgradabilityYou can download new versions of the firmware to the FP-3000 over theFieldbus network without powering down the Fieldbus network oraffecting the operation of other devices. You should use the NationalInstruments FP-3000 Firmware Update utility to download the firmware.This feature lets you take advantage of new function blocks as they aremade available from National Instruments.
