History

WorldFIP

WorldFIP is a fieldbus network protocol designed to provide links between level zero (sensors/actuators) and level one (PLCs, controllers, etc.) in automation systems.

Standards

IEC 61158 and IEC 61784

Introductions to WorldFIP These documents show that the WorldFIP protocol is part of European fieldbus standard EN50170. However, it turns out that the standards series EN 50170 has been replaced by the 61158 series ("Industrial communication networks. Fieldbus specifications"), in particular:
  • 61158-1: overview and guidance to 61158 and 61784 series
  • 61158-2: the physical layer (2007)
  • 61158-3-7 and 4-7: the data-link layer (2007)
  • 61158-5-7 and 6-7: the application layer (2007)
  • IEC 61784-1 Ed 2.0 (2007-12): Industrial communication networks . Profiles. Part 1: Fieldbus profiles
  • IEC 61918 Ed 1.0 (2007-12): Industrial communication networks. Installation of communication networks in industrial premises.

These 8 standards are included in a CD-ROM IEC FIELDB-CPF-5 Ed. 1.0 Industrial communication networks - Fieldbus - Communication Profile Family 5: WorldFIP.

The European fieldbus standard EN50170 is available from the CERN document server (CERN intranet only. Thanks to Tullio Basaglia of the CERN Scientific Information Service).

EN 50170

MICROFIP HANDLER Software User Reference Manual

The detailed contents of the so-called MPS variables is not defined in any of the above standards. I have not been able to find any other description than in the MICROFIP HANDLER Software Version 4 User Reference Manual.
  • MICROFIP HANDLER Software Release 1 User Reference Manual, ALS 50202 .
    • 1.3.4.1 A definition of Promptness, Refreshment and a bit that's not in the IEC specifications called Significance (meaning: the variable has been written at least once) is given.
    • 1.3.4.2 Format of Variables produced on network (but this is for so-called dynamic variables, but the STATUS byte is the same (bit 0=refreshment, bit 2=significance, other bits may be anything).
    • 1.5 Detailed description of the variables Report, List of equipment present, Presence, Identification, Time and others. However, the Identification variable described has not the same PDU type and format as described in the MicroFIP manual.

FIP DEVICE MANAGER Software User Reference Manual

  • ALSTOM FIPWARE (Product leaflets and User documentation only work with IE)
    The WorldFIP organization with the website "www.worldfip.org" was dissolved in 2007.

Note: links to the Fieldbus standards only available on CERN's Intranet.

Finding your way in the IEC Standards

The comments below may be helpful to find your way in the IEC standards.

  • IEC-61158-4-7 Industrial communication networks: Fieldbus specifications : Part 4-7: Data-link layer protocol specification: Type 7 elements
    • 4.2 Block diagram of a producer/consumer entity
    • 5 General structure and encoding of PhIDUs and DLPDUs and related elements of procedure (pages 32-43)
      • 5.2 defines values for ID_DAT, RP_DAT control field.
      • 5.2.5 defines the Frame Checksum FCS (CRC).
      • 5.6.3 defines timers (e.g. T0=max allowed silence on link, T4=monitors absence of RP_DAT after ID_DAT-a.k.a. Silence Time in the MicroFIP specification).
    • 6.4 Buffer transfer (pages 44-46)
    • 7.2 Produce/consumer entity
      • Figure 45: Simplifified state machine for a producer/consumer entity
      • 7.2.1 transition table for producer/consumer entity (state machine)
    • 7.4 Management of basic transactions
    • Annex A Exemplary FCS implementation (page 97-98)

WorldFIP usage at CERN

At CERN over 450km of WorldFIP cables is installed, serving a total of about 12000 nodes. All of this is required for the lifetime of the LHC operation timescale of 15-20 years.
WorldFIP is used in eight principle systems of the CERN accelerator complex:
  1. Power Converter Controls
  2. Quench Protection Systems
  3. Cryogenic Controls
  4. Beam Diagnosis and Instrumentation
  5. Radio Frequency
  6. Survey
  7. Experiments
  8. Radiation Monitoring

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E.Van der Bij, December 2011