Description

The field-mounted FCP270 is an integral part of the highly-distributed control network where controllers are closely aligned to specific process units mounted in close proximity to their I/O and the actual equipment being controlled. Coordination between process units takes place via a fiber optic 100 Mbps Ethernet network.
The FCP270 is packaged in a rugged, die cast aluminum housing that does not require venting due to its efficient design. The FCP270 is CE certified, and it can be mounted without expensive special cabinets to prevent electronic emissions. The FCP270 can be mounted in Class G3 harsh environments.
ENHANCED RELIABILITY (FAULTTOLERANCE)The unique and patented fault-tolerant operation of the FCP270 greatly improves reliability relative to other process controllers. The fault-tolerant version of the FCP270 consists of two modules operating in parallel, with two Ethernet connections to The MESH control network. The two FCP270 modules, married together as a fault-tolerant pair, provide continuous operation of the controller in the event of virtually any hardware failure occurring within one module of the pair.
Both modules receive and process information simultaneously, and faults are detected by the modules themselves. One of the significant methods of fault detection is comparison of communication messages at the module external interfaces.
Messages only leave the controller when both controllers agree on the message being sent (bit for bit match). Upon detection of a fault, self-diagnostics are run by both modules to determine which module is defective. The non-defective module then assumes control without affecting normal system operations.
This fault-tolerant solution has the following major advantages over controllers that are merely redundant: No bad messages are sent to the field or to applications using controller data because no message is allowed out of the controller unless both modules match bit for bit on the message being sent.
The secondary controller is synchronized with the primary one, which ensures up to the moment data in the event of a primary controller failure.The secondary controller will have latent flaws detected prior to any switchover because it is performing exactly the same operations as the primary controller.
SPLITTER/COMBINERFault-tolerant FCP270 modules connect to a pair of fiber optic splitter/combiners (see Figure 1) that connect to Ethernet switches in The MESH. For each module, the splitter/combiner pair provides separate transmit/receive fiber connections for Ethernet switch 1 and 2. Fiber cables are connected so that the splitter/combiners pass inbound traffic from either switch to both modules, and pass outbound traffic from the primary module to either switch.
The splitter/combiner pair mounts in an assembly that fastens to the baseplate. The splitter/combiner is a passive device that uses no electrical power.
ENHANCED COMMUNICATIONSThe I/A Series architecture uses The MESH control network with 100 Mbps data communications between the FCP270s and the Ethernet switches
FeaturesPerforms regulatory,