Model Foxboro FBM231 Module Type Intelligent Serial Interface System Compatibility Foxboro I/A Series DCS. Must be installed in a compatible FBM fieldbase (e.g., FBM200 series). Number of Channels Two independent, software-configurable serial channels. Serial Protocols Supported RS-232 / RS-422 / RS-485. The physical standard and protocol are configured in software. Communication Modes Point-to-Point or Multi-Drop (depending on protocol and physical standard used, e.g., RS-485 allows multi-drop). Data Rates (Baud Rate) Software selectable, from low speeds up to 115.2 k Baud. Intelligence Contains an on-board microprocessor for protocol handling and data processing. Data Transfer Communicates processed data with the I/A Series control processors over the high-speed Nodebus. Power Supply Powered by the fieldbase (typically +5V from the power supply module). Isolation 1500 V AC isolation (channel-to-channel and channel-to-system bus) for protection and noise immunity. Configuration Requires specialized software (Foxboro Point-to-Point Configurator) to set up the protocol driver, message parsing, and data mapping to the DCS. LED Indicators Provides status LEDs for module health (OK, ACTIVE, FAIL) and for each channel (Tx, Rx activity). Connections Field wiring for the serial ports is terminated to a removable screw terminal block on the associated fieldbase.
