How to Deploy SIMATIC PDM as a Standalone Asset Management System with Pepperl+Fuchs HART Multiplexers for Third-Party DCS Installations

Deploying SIMATIC PDM V9.0 as a standalone Asset Management System (AMS) to configure and maintain intelligent Siemens and third-party HART field instrumentation connected to a non-Siemens DCS is fully supported and industrially proven. In this architecture, SIMATIC PDM runs on an independent SIMATIC IPC (such as IPC547E or IPC647D) connected via RS-485 serial communication or Industrial Ethernet to Pepperl+Fuchs HART Multiplexers (KFD2-HMM-16 / KFD0-HMS-16). The P&F multiplexers connect in parallel across existing 4-20 mA analog signal loops, extracting digital HART FSK telemetry without altering analog process signals destined for the third-party DCS. PDM utilizes standard Electronic Device Descriptions (EDDs) to provide full device diagnostics, parameterization, and calibration records.

Standalone Asset Management Architecture with Third-Party DCS

In many brownfield chemical and manufacturing facilities, plant operators retain an existing third-party Distributed Control System (such as Emerson DeltaV, Honeywell Experion, Foxboro I/A Series, or ABB 800xA) for core process regulation, while modernizing field instrumentation with Siemens process transmitters:

The Challenge: Third-party legacy I/O modules often lack native HART digital pass-through capabilities, preventing central maintenance staff from configuring, calibrating, or troubleshooting intelligent transmitters over the control network.
The Standalone AMS Solution: Deploying SIMATIC PDM (Process Device Manager) on an independent industrial PC (SIMATIC IPC) completely decoupled from the third-party DCS.
Non-Intrusive Tap: By utilizing external HART multiplexers, digital frequency-shift keying (FSK) signals superimposed on the 4-20 mA current loops are extracted without attenuating or interrupting the 4-20 mA DC current flowing into the third-party DCS I/O cards.

Pepperl+Fuchs HART Multiplexer Hardware Integration (KFD2 Series)

The Pepperl+Fuchs HART Multiplexer system provides the physical hardware bridge between the field instruments and the PDM maintenance station:

Hardware Components:
Master Multiplexer (KFD2-HMM-16): Controls polling across slave modules and communicates upstream to the PDM workstation via RS-485 serial interface or an Ethernet-to-RS485 gateway (such as MOXA NPort or P&F K-System gateways).
Slave Multiplexer (KFD0-HMS-16): Expands channel capacity; each module connects up to 16 analog channels. Up to 15 slave units can connect to one master, supporting up to 256 HART loops per master unit.
HART Termination Boards / Signal Isolators: Connect the 4-20 mA loops between field devices and the multiplexer inputs, ensuring galvanically isolated signal sniffing.
Wiring Topology:
The field transmitter's 2-wire loop connects through the P&F termination board.
The 4-20 mA DC loop continues uninterrupted to the third-party DCS input card.
High-frequency AC HART signals (1200 Hz / 2200 Hz Bell 202 standard) pass through internal coupling capacitors to the multiplexer demodulator.

SIMATIC PDM Software Licensing for Standalone AMS Configurations

To deploy SIMATIC PDM as a standalone Asset Management System, specific software licensing packages are required from the Siemens catalog:

SIMATIC PDM Stand-alone (PDM Single Point / PDM Basic):
Licensed for single-station deployment on a standard Windows 7 SP1 or Windows Server PC without requiring SIMATIC STEP 7 or PCS 7 engineering licenses.
Process Device Manager TAG Capacity Licenses:
PDM is licensed by the cumulative number of configured intelligent field devices (TAGs):
Base packages typically include 100 TAGs.
Expansion TAG PowerPacks are available in tiers: SIMATIC PDM TAG 100, TAG 500, or TAG 1000 (6ES7658-3AX08-0YA5).
HART Communication Server Option:
Requires the SIMATIC PDM Communication Server license to enable PDM to communicate over serial COM ports or virtual IP COM ports connected to the P&F multiplexer network.

Configuring PDM Device Networks and Integrating Siemens EDD Libraries

Configuring the standalone PDM system requires defining the hardware network tree:

Create PDM Process Device Network:
* Open SIMATIC PDM in Standalone mode (via Process Device Network View).
* Insert a new network object: select HART Multiplexer Network.
* Select device driver: Pepperl+Fuchs KFD2-HMM-16.
* Configure communication port parameters: assign COM Port (or virtual IP COM redirector), Baud Rate (typically 19,200 bps), Parity (Odd), and Data Bits (8).
Scan Multiplexer Network:
* Right-click the P&F multiplexer object: select Start Device Identification.
* PDM interrogates the multiplexer channels and queries connected field instruments.
Assign Device Descriptions (EDDs):
* When PDM detects a device (e.g., Siemens SITRANS P DS III pressure transmitter, SITRANS MAG 6000 flowmeter, or third-party Endress+Hauser/Rosemount devices), it assigns the matching Electronic Device Description (EDD).
* Ensure the SIMATIC PDM Device Library 2#2015 (or current version) is installed from the official Siemens distribution media.

Comparison of Integrated vs Standalone SIMATIC PDM Deployments

The table below contrasts integrated PCS 7 PDM installations with standalone Asset Management deployments.

System CharacteristicIntegrated PCS 7 PDM DeploymentStandalone PDM with P&F MultiplexersHost Control SystemSIMATIC PCS 7 / STEP 7Third-party DCS (DeltaV, Experion, ABB, etc.)Communication PathInternal backplane / PROFINET / ET 200MExternal P&F HART Multiplexer networkWiring ArchitectureSingle cable into remote I/O cardParallel tap on 4-20 mA termination boardsDCS Interruption RiskLow (integrated engineering downloads)Zero (completely isolated from DCS controls)License RequirementsPDM PCS 7 + AS/OS PO LicensesPDM Stand-alone + PDM TAG CapacityCyclic Process DataTransferred directly to controllerTransferred exclusively to third-party DCSMaintenance ScopeAsset Management & Process ControlDedicated Asset Management System (AMS)

Verification

To confirm that the standalone SIMATIC PDM AMS is fully operational:
1. In the PDM Process Device Network View, right-click the P&F HART Multiplexer and select Diagnostics. Verify communication status indicates OK with zero frame errors.
2. Select a connected Siemens SITRANS transmitter: double-click to launch the PDM parameterization interface.
3. Confirm that PDM successfully uploads all live device parameters (measuring range, damping time, sensor serial number, and firmware version).
4. Perform a test parameter change (e.g., adjust damping time from 2.0 s to 3.0 s) and execute Device > Download to Device. Confirm the device accepts the modification without error.
5. In the third-party DCS control room, verify that the 4-20 mA process measurement loop remains stable and completely unaffected during the PDM interrogation.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Never connect the HART multiplexer inputs in series with the 4-20 mA current loop; multiplexer channels must be wired in high-impedance parallel across the analog loop.
Ensure the total loop resistance (transmitter + cabling + DCS input resistor) meets the minimum 250-ohm requirement for reliable HART Bell 202 FSK modulation.
Multiplexer scanning introduces polling cycle latency; continuous online condition monitoring across hundreds of instruments on a single serial line will have update cycles of several minutes.
Always validate final software licensing, TAG capacity tiers, and multiplexer equipment schedules against the applicable Siemens catalog and authorized distributor quotation.

Engineer FAQ

Will using SIMATIC PDM interfere with the third-party DCS process control?

No. The Pepperl+Fuchs HART multiplexer utilizes high-impedance AC coupling to read the high-frequency FSK HART tones without drawing DC current, guaranteeing that the 4-20 mA analog signal flowing to the third-party DCS remains undisturbed.

Can SIMATIC PDM configure non-Siemens HART transmitters?

Yes. SIMATIC PDM supports universal HART commands and incorporates the complete international EDD library, enabling full configuration and diagnostics for Emerson, Endress+Hauser, ABB, Vega, and Yokogawa instruments.

What happens if a field transmitter has no EDD installed in PDM?

PDM falls back to the Universal HART Device Description, which permits viewing and editing standard universal HART parameters (such as PV, tag name, range limits, and damping), though vendor-specific advanced diagnostic menus will be unavailable until the exact EDD is installed.