Hardware FAQs
maintained by Diane Harris <has_inc@msn.com>
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- What is 20- and 30-series hardware?
- What are the differences between each?
- Is this product available anymore?
- What are the limitations of this hardware?
- What constitutes 50-series hardware?
- What are the differences between 50 and 51 devices?
- What are the limitations of 50 (vs.51) series equipment?
- What is going to be the migration path offered by the Foxboro Company for hardware?
- What are the differences between the different types of Control Processors (CP)?
- What are the differences between the different types of Fieldbus Modules (FBM)?
- What is the difference between standard and Intelligent FBMs?
- Does an Intelligent FBM work with all types of transmitters?
A. 20/30-series Components
A.1. What is 20- and 30-series hardware?
20- and 30-series hardware was sold as new in the late 1980's and early 1990's. The numbers 20 and 30 stand for 286 and 386 technology (correct?). Neither of these stations had local hard drives, but depended on a host AP for graphics and all other files. 20- and 30-series WPs also could not support multiple (or remote) windows. These days The Foxboro Company is selling 50- and 70-Series equipment.
A.2. What are the differences between each?
The main difference between 20 and 30-series equipment was the processor speed.
A.3. Is this product available anymore?
These products are available, but...
A.4. What are the limitations of this hardware?
This hardware does not support some of the newer blocks (not in the software image), for example, PIDA, CALCA and LOGIC blocks.
B. 50/51-series Components
B.1. What constitutes 50-series hardware?
50-series hardware really refers to AW, AP and WP 50- and 51-series stations.
B.2. What are the differences between 50- and 51-series devices?
50-series hardware is Sun IPC and IPX hardware, while 51-series equipment includes 51A, B, C, D and E hardware. The following matrix summarizes this nomenclature:
Foxboro Sun hardware CPU Speed OS when introduced ------- --------------- ----------------- ----------------- WP50 SPARC IPC 25 MHz Sun OS 4.1.3 AP50 SPARC IPX 40 MHz Sun OS 4.1.3 [AP,AW,WP]51A SPARCclassic 50 MHz Solaris 2.5 [AP,AW,WP]51B SPARCstation 5 85,110,or 170 MHz Solaris 2.5 [AP,AW,WP]51C SPARCstation 20 60 MHz dual procs.* Solaris 2.5 [AP,AW,WP]51D Sun Ultra 5/10 270/360 MHz Solaris 2.6 [AP,AW,WP]51E Sun Ultra 30/60 248/360 MHz Solaris 2.6
*: Foxboro recommends retrofitted with single hyperSPARC RISC chip (Kit part no. AG100TP) to fix lock-up problem.
B.3. What are the limitations of 50-series (vs. 51) equipment?
50-series equipment runs at slower speeds and normally has less RAM (?). You cannot run multiple windows or remote displays on them.
B.4. What is going to be the migration path offered by the Foxboro Company for hardware?
The Foxboro Company has stated that they will continue to migrate their hardware several months behind Sun. They do have a "trade-in" or "buy-up" program known as the Advantage program where you can send in your old equipment and purchase new for about 50% of list price.
C. CPs and FBMs
C.1. What are the differences between the different types of Control Processors (CP)?
The CP10 was sold in the late 1980's and early 1990's. The CP30, then CP40 was introduced. The CP60 is now available. The CP30 and 40 known as "A"-style are no lonoger available (?) and have been replaced with the CP30B and CP40B. See the following for specs on each of these.
C.2. What are the differences between the different types of Fieldbus Modules (FBM)?
Digital-type FBMs can execute 4 different applications or software types from System Definition: DI/Do, Ladder Logic, SOE, Pulse Counters. See table for types.
C.3. What is the difference between standard and Intelligent FBMs?
The difference between standard and Intelligent FBMs is...
C.4. Does an Intelligent FBM work with all types of transmitters?
No, you have to use a Foxboro Intelligent Transmitter with a Foxboro Intelligent FBM. Below is a list of the Intelligent FBM's available:
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