Field Managers are intelligent “multi-application” units with an autonomous database that the XAtl@s software updates in on-line mode. It can execute all field processes related to different applications (access control, intrusion detection, time & attendance, …) autonomously. The failures of a Terminal, a Field Device, the System Server, or of a communication line, does not affect the Field Manager functionalities.

Field Managers communicate with each other in peer-to-peer mode via Ethernet with TCP/IP protocol. The same interface and protocol are used to communicate with the system server running XAtl@s.

The interface of the Field Managers with the external environment and users is managed by the Field Devices connected via Field Bus or Terminals connected via Ethernet or other serial interfaces. The FD-BUS is a proprietary bus that uses the same UTP cable for data and power distribution.

If you are configuring a multisite plant, you can assign Field Managers to each site in order to manage controls. In this way, the supervision center will send homogeneous site-specific data to the group of Field Processors responsible for controlling a given site.

Protection

The equipment is protected against the following events:

•  polarity reversal on cables (RJ45) connecting to the FD-BUS
•  voltage surge in the power supply

Modes of Operation

The FM-BA01 module is part of the Orangelink system and can perform Field Manager functions.It can control either OrangeLink Field Devices and third party’s devices on both the FD-BUS A and FD-BUS B backbones (from 300 baud to 115 Kbaud). The two backbones can communicate at two different speeds at the same time. The normal speed for OrangeLink Field Devices is 115 Kbaud. The module is fully configurable remotely over the LAN.

Applications are activated as soon as the FM-BA01 has received the configuration database from its supervisor.

Once it has received the database, the FM-BA01 is able to operate autonomously even without the LAN.