Description

The AC 800PEC is the perfect way to unite the system design capabilities of ABB’s ControlIT with the control and simulation capabilities of MATLAB® / Simulink®. Quick implementation of complex control algorithms (e.g. model predictive control) reduces development cycles and costs. Furthermore, the system is open to future technologies. Implementation of the AC 800PEC software on the three performance levels provides an exceptional range of control and communication functionality: Level 1: System engineering (ControlIT) ABB’s ControlIT supports all 5 IEC61131-3 programming languages and uses ABB’s Control Builder as the programming tool. This is the level on which system engineers implement functions that do not require high-speed performance but demand quick and easy adaptation to a specific project. AC 800PEC controllers can also be fully integrated into ABB’s 800xA automation systems. Level 2: Product & control development (MATLAB / Simulink™) Fast closed-loop control applications are designed using MATLAB® / Simulink®. C-code is automatically generated and downloaded to the embedded device using Real-Time Workshop® from MathWorks®.

 

Typically, it is on this level that control developers will implement the control, the protection, the state machine and other functions. Level 3: Communication & very fast logic (VHDL) Extremely fast processes are programmed in VHDL. Protocols and some control logic requiring extremely short cycle times are implemented on this level. The standardized tasks are available as firmware modules and are not accessible to the application developers. Scalability in size – from small and compact to large and modular For any application size, the optimum hardware configuration is easily achieved: the processing power can either be centralized at one location with distributed logical I/O devices, or intelligent I/O devices can carry out specific tasks in the field to enhance performance and relieve the central processor. Three system architectures provide scalability from small and compact to large and modular systems: Compact One processor module with integrated, fast I/O devices. This configuration is ideally suited for: − Smaller applications − Limited-space applications − Intelligent field devices, e.g. subsystems in distributed applications Standard One processor module with separate, fast logical I/O devices.

This configuration is ideally suited for: − Standard industrial applications with central processing − Small applications with detached, fast I/O Modular One or several central processor modules with separate, fast, intelligent I/O and fast logical I/O devices. Full and trouble-free integration into higher-level plant control systems as well as future expansions and reconfigurations are easy thanks to the fully modular architecture.Scalability in performance – you and your process define what you need Your process defines the required performance level. Several pre-configured software packages are available for easy and straightforward engineering: − DCS (Distributed Control System) − Processing cycle times down to 1 ms − Use of slow I/O − Programming in Control Builder − PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) − Processing cycle times down to 1 ms − Use of fast and slow I/O − Programming in Control Builder − PAC (Programmable Automation Controller) − Cycle times down to 100 μs − Use of fast and slow I/O − Programming in MATLAB/Simulink and Control Builder Process interfaces for any speed The AC 800PEC provides two kinds of I/O – fast and slow. Whereas the fast I/O system covers read and write operations requiring less than 1 ms, the slow I/O system covers speeds above 1 ms. The fast I/O system is AC 800PEC specific, using devices connected exclusively via fiber optic links, and brings substantial advantages compared to electric concepts: − Fast communication between controller and I/O devices − High immunity to electromagnetic interference − Potential-free connections, making isolating transmitters obsolete The slow I/O modules from ABB’s S800 system can be added to any configuration, depending on project needs.

 

AC 800PEC modular architecture in an excitation system: top reliability through redundant subsystems and distributed control logicWell suited to a harsh environment – the AC 800PEC for traction Traction with its particularly harsh environmental conditions is one of the most important applications of the AC 800PEC. The controller operates through a wide temperature range (– 40 to + 70 °C), with vibrations according to traction standards. The compact solution is the ideal response to the demands of restricted spaces and allows integration of the processing unit together with all the I/Os in the same compact hardware device. Top reliability is a must – the AC 800PEC in power generation Typically, excitation systems are used for generator control in power-plants where high reliability is the No. 1 requirement. Due to the very short process cycles, traditional redundancy concepts are no longer applicable.

 

The modular architecture of the AC 800PEC not only greatly reduces the complexity of the overall system, but thanks to redundant subsystems also provides increased reliability. In the case of a problem in one subsystem, the main controller switches over to the remaining subsystems, which are scaled in such a way that the overall task can still be fulfilled. Should the main controller fail, a second controller is available in hot-standby. Precision for optimum quality – the AC 800PEC for industrial processes The most demanding function in a rolling mill is thickness control. By using the powerful AC 800PEC controller and its ability to implement C-Code beside the standard IEC 61131-3 program level, a new thickness control solution for cold rolling mills has been developed based on an MIMO (MultiInput Multi-Output) control concept. The benefit to the customer is an improvement in thickness deviation by up to 50 percent Straightforward engineering workflow In the traditional development process, system engineers would define the specifications, which software engineers would then interpret – a time-consuming and error-prone process that also reduced the likelihood that the resultant software would correspond to the original specifications and concept. The AC 800PEC development workflow uses MathWorks® tools for model-based design as a single development platform for the entire development process. Simulink® is used to run system simulations. Real-Time Workshop® then automatically generates and downloads controller code from the Simulink® models to the AC 800PEC controller, eliminating the need to translate the models manually into C-code. The use of Real-Time Workshop® allows interactive debugging of the software on the controller. Specification and code are synchronized throughout the development process by using Simulink® models as executable specifications. Parameters can be changed and optimized on the PC, and code can be generated automatically from the models and then transferred to the controller directly via an Ethernet connection.

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ABB 3BHE023784R1023