Quick Summary

1. Join FieldComm Group to gain access to the specifications or purchase them separately (join as a member HERE)

2. Request (member) or license (non-member) a manufacturer ID and Device Type

3. Develop your device

4. Purchase a DD-IDE to write a DD and FDI Device Package

5. Before completion of development, purchase HART Test System and FSK Physical Layer Test Kit to test and debug your developed product

6. Submit Device and DD and FDI Device Package to FieldComm Group for formal Product Registration (Learn more about the importance of registration HERE)

7. Sell products



Summary

There are two parts to the development: the hardware/communication and the device description file (EDD and FDI Device Package). Both should be tested and registered with FieldComm Group. 


We supply test systems and tools for development of the device and EDD and FDI Packages. The HART Test System (KIT-192 or KIT-193) tests the communication of the device, and the FDI-IDE is a development environment to build your EDD file and packages. The EDDs and FDI Device Packages are posted to the product registry for end users to consume on their control systems or handhelds. 


Members are provided access to all the current documents, including the HART Protocol specifications, when they join the FieldComm Group. Please submit access requests through the ticketing system to be provided access to HART (as well as FOUNDATION Fieldbus) protocol specifications.


For companies in need of additional engineering resources to develop their product, we have development partners listed on our website here: https://www.fieldcommgroup.org/resources/product-development-services


Details

Currently the HART Communication Protocol Technical Specifications (as described in SPEC-013/TS20013) are available in English and Chinese.


Minimum requirements for a "wired" HART field device are:

1. FSK Physical Layer (as defined in SPEC-054/TS20054)

2. Token-Passing Data Link Layer (as defined in SPEC-081/TS20081)

3. Universal Commands (as defined in Universal Command Specification SPEC-127/TS20127 which is supported by Command Summary SPEC-099/TS20099 and Response Code SPEC-307/TS20307)

The minimum requirements serve as a starting point. The manufacturer can expand upon this development with many options.

The conformance of the implementation of the specifications are verified using Test Specifications, these are available to members to download and anyone may purchase them through our website:

  • Token Passing Data Link Layer Test Specification (as defined in TEST-001/TT20001)
  • FSK Physical Layer Test Specification.  (as defined in TEST-002/TT20002)
  • Universal Command, Test Specification. (as defined in TEST-003/TT20003)
  • Common Practice Command, Test Specification. (as defined in TEST-004/TT20004)


 

The minimum implementation of Universal Commands offers value to the user. However, many manufacturers prefer to increase that value with Common Practice Commands (as defined in SPEC-151/TS20151) and even Device Specific Commands (developer defined function that follows the guidelines of SPEC-099/TS20099 and SPEC-307/TS20307).


Conformance to the protocol specifications is assessed based on the test specs mentioned above. The HART Test System (KIT-192/TK20192) is a test appliance that includes automation for the most commonly used portions of the the test specs 001, 003, and 004. The FSK Physical Layer Test Kit (KIT-116/TK20116) includes specialized filters and hardware to complete the Test-002/TT20002 (FSK Physical Layer Test).


As a non-member company, you can purchase the HART Protocol specifications to begin understanding the HART-compliant requirements. However, before you can begin design, development, manufacture or sale of the intellectual property associated with HART technology, you will either need to join FieldComm Group or sign an Intellectual Property License Agreement to gain access to the trademarks, patents, and to receive a manufacturer ID with an Expanded Device Type for your product.


If you need assistance with the development of your HART device, there are members of FieldComm Group who offer engineering services, please refer to our website to locate the Member Development Partner near you.


After completing your development and testing, you will then submit your device to FieldComm Group for test and registration. The testing will include verification of the device conformance to the protocol specifications using the test specifications and automation tools as well as some manual testing. Upon successful completion, your company will be granted the right to show your product with the official registration mark issued exclusively by FieldComm Group.


Users also expect a Device Description to accompany a device. You must develop a Device Description using the FDI-IDE following the EDDL specifications and an FDI Device Package per the FDI Technical Specifications (FCG TS62769). Also see Transitioning from the HART DD-IDE to the FDI Package IDE.


We encourage you to consider training either onsite at your location or at one of our scheduled workshops in Austin, Texas USA or Düsseldorf, Germany. The HART Fundamentals Workshop will greatly assist developers in understanding HART requirements and testing. For information on training, please visit our training page here: https://www.fieldcommgroup.org/education/product-developer-training