10. Appendix A 
10.2. Standard Function Blocks 
R400  Experion PKS Series A Fieldbus Interface Module User's Guide  383 
July 2010  Honeywell 
 
Overview 
Th
e key to fieldbus interoperability is the User Application or Function Block 
Application Process (FBAP) that defines standard function blocks that can reside in field 
devices and be interconnected as a distributed process control system. A function block is 
a named entity that has inputs, outputs, and parameters. It performs certain functions that 
operate on its inputs and produce outputs in accordance with its assigned parameters. The 
Fieldbus Foundation Function Blocks are similar in nature to the Function Blocks used to 
build control strategies in the Control Builder application in the Experion system.  
The Fieldbus Foundation provides the standard Function Blocks listed below for basic 
control functionality. They also support additional blocks for more complex applications. 
Please refer to the applicable Fieldbus Foundation specification for more information 
about these additional blocks.  
 
Function Block   Abbreviation  Class 
Analog Input   AI  Input 
Analog Output  AO  Output 
Bias/Gain BG Control 
Control Selector  CS  Control 
Discrete Input  DI  Input 
Discrete Output  DO  Output 
Manual Loader  ML  Control 
Proportional/Derivative PD  Control 
Proportional/Integral/Derivative PID  Control 
Ratio RA Control 
 
Function blocks make it possible to build a control loop using fieldbus devices that 
include the appropriate Function block types. For example, a pressure transmitter that 
contains an Analog Input and Proportional/Integral/Derivative blocks can be used with a 
valve containing an Analog Output block to form a control loop, as shown in the 
following figure.