Examples of DP/FF gateways with Compact FF Link

A gateway based on the Compact FF Link between PROFIBUS DP and FOUNDATION Fieldbus H1 (FF) enables integration of a fieldbus segment with up to 31 standard-compliant FF‑H1 field devices in the SIMATIC PCS 7 process control system. If the PROFIBUS DP master and PROFIBUS DP are implemented without redundancy, the gateway can be realized with a single Compact FF Link. With redundant implementation of the PROFIBUS DP maser and PROFIBUS DP, a redundant Compact FF Link pair is required for the gateway.

The Compact FF Link is simultaneously a slave on PROFIBUS DP and the master on FOUNDATION Fieldbus H1. It decouples the hardware, communication protocols, and time response of the two bus systems.

A PROFIBUS address from 1 to 125 must be assigned for the Compact FF Link. In the case of redundant architecture, identical PROFIBUS addresses must be set for both Compact FF Links.

As the FF Link master, the Compact FF Link controls the distributed communication of the FOUNDATION Fieldbus H1 segment deterministically using LAS (Link Active Scheduler). If the Compact FF Link fails, a redundant partner module or a field device with the "Backup Link Master" property takes over the communication control. FF field devices in an FF segment are thus able to execute closed-loop control functions (Control in the Field) even independent of the higher-level controller.