This course, focusing on Data Communications and Fieldbus Systems, is designed to provide engineers and technicians with the details and specifications of modern digital communication standards and protocols – starting at the old basic RS232 standard right through to the modern Profibus/Foundation Fieldbus and beyond.

Designed for both novice and experienced engineers and technicians, this course starts at fundamental principles and progresses through basic coding and formatting systems, error detection, Ethernet networks and protocols through to advanced fieldbus and device networking concepts.

Throughout the course, participants will learn through active participation using exercises, questionnaires, and practical case studies discussions.

The course maintains a balance between lecture and in-class exercises and between theory and application.

Personal impact:

On successful completion of this course delegates will be able to:

• Understand the basic principles of data communications
• Define different industrial control systems
• Understand the evolution, operation and use of smart instrumentation
• Apply basic faultfinding techniques covering RS232 up to RS485
• Recognize the wide range of fieldbus options
• Apply Modbus in a practical manner and make use of troubleshooting techniques
• Define the structure and frame of Modbus, ASI, DeviceNet, Profibus, and Foundation Fieldbus
• Differentiate between the use of Modbus, ASI, DeviceNet, Profibus, and Foundation Fieldbus and select the use case for each protocol
• Understand the OSI 7 layers’ model
• Understand the components and configuration of Ethernet networks
• Understand TCP/IP and its associated protocols
• Understand the HART protocol and distinguish between it and other digital protocols
• Employ cyber security measures for industrial control systems

• Professionals involved in designing, selecting, sizing, specifying, installing, testing, operating and maintaining data communication and Fieldbus systems
• Any professional needing to get to grips with the ever expanding and complex field of data communications and Fieldbus systems:

• Automation Engineers
• Chemical Engineers
• Consulting Engineers
• Electrical Engineers
• Electricians
• Industrial IT specialists
• Installation and maintenance technicians
• Instrumentation and Control Engineers
• Maintenance Engineers
• Operations Engineers
• Process Engineers
• Process Operators
• Production Managers
• Project Managers
• System Integrators
• Other professionals who want a better understanding of the subject matter

This interactive training course includes the following training methodologies as a percentage of the total tuition hours:

• 40% Lectures
• 30% Workshops & Work Presentations
• 20% Case Studies & Practical Exercises
• 10% Videos & General Discussions

The course instructor may modify the above training methodology before or during the course for technical reasons with no prior notice to participants.

Introduction to data communications

• Overview
• Modern Instrumentation and Control Systems
• “Smart” Instrumentation 

Basic principles

• Overview
• Transmission Modes
• Digital systems
• Asynchronous frame
• ASCII Code
• Standards

Data communications basic standards

• RS-232 interface standard
• RS-423 interface standard
• RS-422 interface standard
• EIA-RS-485 interface standard
• Interface Converters 

ISO OSI model

• Introduction
• Individual layers
• Layer interfacing
• Simplified model

Communications media

• Wireless
• Cabling
• Definition of noise
• Electrical coupling
• Shielding
• Grounding
• Fibre optics
• Components
• Cable Parameters 

Error detection

• Checksum
• Cyclic Redundancy 

Ethernet Networks

• LAN standards
• WAN standards
• Topologies
• Main networks components
• Protocols
• CSMA / CD (Ethernet)
• Token Ring
• Token Bus 

Modbus

• Fundamentals
• Frame format
• Function coding
• Exception reports
• Troubleshooting 

HART

• Fundamentals
• FSK
• Cabling and configuration
• Commands 

Actuator Sensor Interface (ASI)

• Overview
• Physical layer
• Modulation principles
• Components
• Configuration

CANBus /DeviceNet

• Overview
• Frame format
• Arbitration
• Fragmentation
• Error reporting
• DeviceNet media layer
• Network configuration

Profibus

• Overview
• FMS
• DP physical layer
• PA physical layer

Foundation Fieldbus

• Comparison between Profibus PA and FF
• Publisher/subscriber model
• Physical layer
• Frame structure
• Link active scheduler
• Function blocks
• Device descriptions

Instrumentation and control

• Main components
• Industrial control systems
• PLC
• DCS
• SCADA
• Principal Implementation
• Smart instrumentation
• IIOT

Industrial control systems cyber security

• Cyber security introduction
• OT Vs IT
• Main Protection components
• Security measures
• Operation philosophy
• Security policy

A RECTUS attendance certificate will be awarded to all participants who complete at least 80% of the total course duration.