Network-based system takes on distributed control

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Aug 17, 2005

A new online download function allows the Stardom network-based control system to achieve a level of operability and maintainability equal to that of a distributed control system.

Yokogawa has added an online download function to the Stardom network-based control system, enabling it to achieve a level of operability and maintainability equal to that of a distributed control system (DCS).

The development of this online download function exemplifies Yokogawa's commitment to the continuous enhancement of Stardom.

At present, capital investment is brisk in many process industries including the production of high value-added materials such as fine chemicals and semiconductor materials, as well as in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, iron and steel.

As continuous processes (liquid processing, for example) and discrete processes (assembly and machining) coexist in these fields, an increasing number of users are introducing small and medium-scale PLC-based control systems.

Although programmable logic controller (PLC) systems can bring initial cost benefits, they often lack the necessary capacity and are less reliable.

Demand is therefore growing in fields such as oil and natural gas extraction for a low-cost monitoring and control system solution that is highly reliable, can handle significant amounts of data, and is compatible with a wide range of networks.

The introduction of this new online download function and other recent enhancements to the Stardom network-based control system are intended to address these user needs.

In process-related industries, products are made in continuous processes.

Continuously operating shared-used facilities such as boilers and compressors play a particularly important role in such processes.

As the plant operating rate has a major impact on profitability, it is important to keep downtime to a minimum.

Since the release earlier in 2005 of a Stardom version with enhanced CPUs, it has been possible to repair and replace the CPU units without halting plant operations.

The addition of the online download function takes this one step further by making it possible to download controller modules and updated control programs from a PC to the Stardom controller without taking the plant offline.

Coupled with its low introduction cost, Stardom helps users to reduce their total cost of ownership.

Stardom is made up of function-specific control, operation and monitoring components that can be interconnected flexibly and on a scaleable basis using networking technology.

The system achieves the reliability and supportability of a distributed control system while having the openness, versatility, and cost-effectiveness of systems that combine PCs, PLCs and other devices.

To offer solutions that are optimally tailored to user needs, Yokogawa relies principally on Stardom for high-speed control and widely distributed control and on the Centum CS 3000 R3 distributed control system for the control of large-scale main processes.