Industrial Control Systems.
Communication module to control system.
Prevas and ABB Works
with Cutting Edge of Technology
As one of the world´s leading suppliers of systems for efficient and secure automation, control, and surveillance of industrial and process plants, product range continuity is of the utmost importance to ABB. Across the world, a large number of industries are entirely dependent upon a well-functioning operation, even when parts of the control system need to be upgraded.
ABB faced one such challenge, to modernise and keep existing and future users in mind, towards the end of 2006, when they decided to produce an entirely new version of a so-called real time accelerator (RTA). The unit acts as protocol translator between the software on the operator´s work station and the Masterbus 300 based control network connected to the target systems.
History and future
Previous generations have been manufactured as expansion cards for assembly in Unix or Windows-based work stations. In order to increase flexibility and future compatibility for a long lifecycle, ABB decided that the next generation´s communication module would be a free-standing unit based on the Ethernet and TCP/IP standard protocols. Central to this solution was a long lifecycle, and such an implementation that the interface in the products that will use the module would not need modification in any way at existing client locations. This required state-of-the-art technology software for the computer.After the decision to produce a new module was taken, ABB requested quotes from a number of consultant firms. They chose Prevas, thanks to a combination of sound analysis and understanding of the task, good merits from previous projects, and an attractive pricing for the entire project.
Joint detective work
Shortly after the project began in September 2007, it was clear that we were in for some unique challenges. The task meant Prevas had to produce completely reworked hardware architecture based upon new components.With the hardware completed, the next task was that of porting existing functions onto the new platform. It was crucial that the new unit should function in the same way as previous generations, to ensure the necessary backward compatibility with existing installations.
Copying the contents of the old control system entailed some detective work, but through cooperation with ABB´s staff, the platform could be programmed to cope with both the old and new functions.
A satisfied customer
The client feels it is important to point out that the key to a successful project is not just high technical competence alone, even if this obviously was an important piece of the puzzle.Katarina Wiklund, Project Manager at ABB, explains, “A lot of skills, not just purely technical ones, are required to get a project this complex to work. Prevas have shown that they can cope will all the elements, and have kept the whole thing together and delivered on time."
Despite this, the project naturally involved a great deal of advanced technology and problem solving. Katarina Wiklund continues, “It was a challenge to work at the very leading edge of technology because we wanted to ensure future compatibility for the product, far beyond today´s operating systems. At the same time, through the smooth cooperation between Prevas´ team and our own staff, we managed to retain the existing functions from older generation RTA´s intact. This was absolutely necessary, as the product will be used in environments with extreme demands upon operational reliability, such as nuclear power plants."
