New control system platform version rethinks field device connectivity, human interface

At its Global Users Exchange in Orlando, FL, Emerson Process Management announced the new DeltaV S-series platform with two major advances: a new concept of I/O on demand through a device communication approach dubbed electronic marshalling, and changes to its interfaces and work practices based on human-centered design.

October 1, 2009

At its Global Users Exchange in Orlando, FL, Emerson Process Management announced the new DeltaV S-series platform with two major advances: a new concept of I/O on demand through a device communication approach dubbed electronic marshalling, and changes to its interfaces and work practices based on human-centered design.

The new I/O on demand concept places small modules called CHARMS (CHARacterization ModuleS) into field cabinets near the devices. A CHARM is a single-channel analog-to-digital converter that takes the signal from one instrument and converts it for transmission on an Ethernet backplane. It handles all necessary power requirements for the device, and replaces the traditional I/O card for the DCS or PLC.

CHARMS are designed to communicate using various device protocols: analog in or out, digital in or out, HART, thermocouple, RTD, etc. Fieldbus segments and wireless gateways can also be integrated into the system.

Emerson says this approach eliminates two-thirds of the wiring and connections needed by today’s conventional marshalling cabinets. Whereas traditional project engineering requires major time and cost in changing rack-room I/O wiring and terminations as process design is refined, the DeltaV S-series hardware with electronic marshalling makes changes easy and eliminates re-wiring.

Emerson also claims the new Delta V S-series launches a new approach to understanding how users apply and interface with its products. The new release includes major enhancements to all of the systems’ I/O processing, operator displays, asset management, batch capability, and system security elements. These new capabilities include an entirely new set of visually focused operator displays that improve operator performance by clear and quick recognition of alerts, and rapid access to the information needed to understand the alert and act in a timely fashion. The new capabilities of the v11 software release offers a wide-ranging new solution set for process automation users, and is backward compatible with existing DeltaV installations.


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