Fault Tolerant Ethernet (FTE) is a proprietary network protocol developed by Honeywell specifically for their Experion® Process Knowledge System (PKS) used in industrial control applications. It's designed to provide high reliability and redundancy for critical process control networks. Here's a breakdown of FTE:

Key Features:

• Rapid Network Redundancy: Unlike traditional Ethernet with spanning tree protocol, which can take seconds to re-route traffic in case of a failure, FTE boasts redundancy times of under a second. This is achieved through:

• Dual Network Connections: Each node (server or station) is connected to the LAN twice through dual network interface controllers (NICs).
• Active Monitoring and Failover: The FTE software constantly monitors the network health. If a failure is detected on one path, communication seamlessly switches to the other path without interrupting data flow.

• High Availability: FTE prioritizes keeping the network operational to ensure uninterrupted control of critical industrial processes.
• Deterministic Performance: Deterministic performance means predictable data transfer times, crucial for real-time process control applications where delays can have significant consequences. FTE achieves this through techniques like time division multiple access (TDMA) to manage data flow on the network.
• Security: FTE incorporates security measures to protect the network from unauthorized access and potential cyber threats.

Benefits of Using FTE:

• Improved System Uptime: The rapid redundancy and high availability features minimize downtime caused by network failures.
• Enhanced Process Control: Deterministic performance ensures reliable and timely data transfer for accurate process control.
• Reduced Risk of Production Losses: By minimizing downtime and ensuring reliable communication, FTE can help prevent production losses in industrial facilities.
• Simplified Network Management: FTE offers a centralized management platform for monitoring network health and simplifying troubleshooting.

Limitations of FTE:

• Proprietary Protocol: Being a Honeywell proprietary technology, FTE is not interoperable with standard Ethernet devices. This can limit its use in scenarios where integration with non-Honeywell equipment is necessary.
• Cost: The additional hardware and software components required for FTE can make it more expensive compared to standard Ethernet implementations.
• Limited Scalability: While FTE offers redundancy for critical control networks, its scalability for very large or geographically dispersed networks might be limited compared to standard Ethernet solutions.

Applications:

Fault Tolerant Ethernet is well-suited for industrial control applications where network reliability and deterministic performance are paramount. Here are some examples:

• Oil and Gas Refineries
• Chemical Processing Plants
• Power Generation Facilities
• Water Treatment Plants
• Manufacturing Production Lines

In Conclusion:

Fault Tolerant Ethernet offers a unique solution for industrial control networks requiring high availability, rapid redundancy, and deterministic performance. While it has limitations in terms of interoperability, cost, and scalability, it can be a valuable asset for ensuring reliable communication in critical process control environments.