The first co-sponsored Field Communication Lounge at Hannover Fair proved to be exceptionally popular with attendees. The Fieldbus Foundation joined the FDT Group, HART Communication Foundation, and PI (Profibus and Profibus International) to host the area in Hall 9, Booth D05 of the 2011 Hannover Fair in Hannover, Germany, April 4-8.

Using the theme: "Practical Field Communications for Today and Tomorrow," the Field Communication Lounge created one area in which visitors could see and experience the latest in field communication technology and discuss how the technologies work together to deliver powerful results to improve plant operations, performance, and a company's bottom line. For the first time, Fair visitors had a central location to discuss and compare diFFerent field communication protocols, and learn about their advantages, applications, and integration.

A key feature of the 450 sq m lounge was the common display area and presentation forum in which experts from the four organizations presented the latest field device communication technology solutions. A series of 30-min. presentations by speakers from each organization was held each day, including one by a representative of the Fieldbus Foundation German Marketing Committee on "FOUNDATION Fieldbus—Close Control and SIL," which addressed CIF and FF-SIF.

At the end of each show day throughout the week, each organization hosted a themed Happy Hour at the Forum during which visitors joined representatives of the four associations and their member companies for snacks and drinks. On Thursday, April 7, the Fieldbus Foundation treated visitors to a Palatine-region wine tasting with canapés.

In the Field Communication Lounge, each co-sponsor organization had exhibit space for its member companies to demonstrate practical field communications solutions, including field devicesCONTROL ENGINEERING China版权所有, configuration, control and asset management applications, wireless technology, integration products, and other solutions that deliver value and benefits to the enterprise today and tomorrow.

Coordinated by the Fieldbus Foundation German Marketing Committee, the Fieldbus Foundation section featured purpose-built kiosks demonstrating FOUNDATION technology solutions and applications through static and operational displays of registered devicesCONTROL ENGINEERING China版权所有, host systems, tools, and services available from 13 of the world's leading automation equipment suppliers. Live demonstrations of the key benefits of FOUNDATION technology—process integrity; business intelligence; and open, scalable integration—were conducted throughout the week using the foundation's EMEA Executive Advisory Council's newly commissioned, live-working demonstration systems. The demonstration systems were assembled using host systems from Endress+Hauser and Honeywell; power supplies, wiring componentswww.cechina.cn, and junction boxes from MooreHawke, MTL, Pepperl+Fuchswww.cechina.cn, and R. Stahl; and field devices and displays from ABB, Emerson Process Management, Endress+Hauser, Honeywell, Moore Industries, MTL, Pepperl+Fuchswww.cechina.cn, R. Stahl and Yokogawa.

Thomas Kasten, chairman of the Fieldbus Foundation German Marketing Committee, was positive about the new Field Communication Lounge concept. He said, "For several years, current and prospective users of fieldbus technology have had to visit several stands—sometimes located in different halls. Having the four main field communication protocol providers together in a single location saved visitors a lot of time and effort. Since most industrial facilities use a combination of field communication protocols," he continued, "it made perfect sense to join forces with the other organizations so that the technologies could be viewed together, comparisons could be made easily, and integrated solutions discussed with experts on hand. This year's show was extremely successful and the Field Communication Lounge concept was fully supported by visitors and exhibitors alike. All participants are looking forward to continuing the concept in next year's trade shows in Germany."

Fieldbus Foundation members participating in the Field Communication Lounge included APAT, Dresser Masoneilan控制工程网版权所有, Emerson Process Management, Endress+Hauser, Fieldbus International, Heinrichs Messtechnik, Leoniwww.cechina.cn, Pepperl+Fuchswww.cechina.cn, Phoenix Contact, R. Stahl, Siemens, Softing, and Yokogawa.

For more information about activities in this region, visit the Global pages of the Fieldbus Foundation website.