FDT / DTM

Introduction

FDT and DTM are related concepts in the field of industrial automation and process control, especially in connection with industrial communication protocols and device configuration in automation systems. 

Field Device Tool (FDT)

FDT stands for Field Device Tool, which is a software framework used to integrate field devices like sensors, actuators, transmitters, and others into an automation system. The FDT framework allows communication with field devices and facilitates device configuration, monitoring, diagnostics, and management, regardless of the communication protocol. These can be fieldbus protocols such as PROFIBUS, CANopen or Modbus or Industrial Ethernet protocols such as PROFINET, EtherNet/IP or EtherCAT. FDT provides a standardized way to interact with devices from various manufacturers, ensuring interoperability and easier integration across different communication technologies. 

Device Type Manager (DTM)

DTM stands for Device Type Manager and is a software module that provides the device-specific configuration, diagnostic, and communication features for a particular type of field device. The DTM is the software component that interacts with the device, allowing users to configure parameters, read device status, and perform diagnostics. It is loaded into the FDT framework and provides the necessary interface between the user and the field device. Each field device has its own DTM, which knows how to communicate with that device, access its data, and allow users to adjust settings. DTMs are often provided by device manufacturers, and they ensure that the devices can be used with any automation system that supports FDT. 

Interaction between FDT and DTM

The interaction between FDT (Field Device Tool) and DTM (Device Type Manager) is fundamental in modern industrial automation systems, enabling seamless communication and device management. FDT acts as a standardized framework that provides the infrastructure for integrating various field devices—such as sensors, actuators, and transmitters—into a control system. It ensures compatibility across different communication protocols like CC-Link, PROFIBUS, and FOUNDATION Fieldbus, making it easier to work with devices from different manufacturers. 

Within this framework, DTMs play a crucial role. A DTM is a device-specific software module designed to facilitate communication with a particular field device. Each device type, whether it is a valve positioner, temperature transmitter, or flow meter, comes with its own DTM. This software knows how to interact with the device, retrieve its data, configure its parameters, and perform diagnostic tasks. 

When a user connects a device to the system, the FDT framework loads the appropriate DTM for that device. The DTM then provides a user-friendly interface, allowing operators to monitor device performance, adjust settings, and troubleshoot issues. The combination of FDT and DTM ensures that devices from various manufacturers can be easily integrated, configured, and managed within a unified automation system, enhancing efficiency and reliability. 

Hilscher’s solutions for industrial communication

As a leading company in the field of industrial communication, Hilscher offers a broad portfolio of technologies and solutions for networking industrial environments. 

This includes a wide range of interface solutions for connecting sensors, actuators and controllers to industrial communication networks. The communication controllers of the netX family form the basis for this. The multi-protocol-capable SoCs can be integrated into automation components as required and their extensive chip peripherals enable powerful, efficient and flexible solutions. A protocol change is achieved by simply reloading Hilscher's own netX firmware, which is available for all common fieldbus or real-time Ethernet protocols. Building on this, the company also offers embedded modules and PC cards in all form factors in order to realise the netX communication interface with less integration effort. 

Hilscher also offers a comprehensive managed industrial IoT portfolio under the netFIELD brand. This ranges from edge gateways as an application-oriented computer platform with integrated container management and the Edge OS Runtime running on it to the central cloud portal, via which the docker containers are deployed to the edge devices, through to turnkey containers for communication applications. 

Gateways and switches, devices for network diagnostics as well as masters and bridges for the wireless connection of IO-Link sensors round off the automation portfolio. 

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