Yokogawa Electric released an enhanced version of the STARDOM Network-based Control System with upgraded engineering functionality. A new engineering tool facilitates the construction of field digital communications networks that can reduce the cost of maintaining production equipment distributed over wide areas.
Development Background
In response to growing global energy demand, oil companies have been expanding their oil and gas exploration activities in recent years. As gas and oil field production equipment is often distributed over very wide areas, periodic field equipment inspections and other maintenance activities have proven very costly and pose a huge financial burden on these companies. One solution to this problem is the use of digital communication networks. By linking widely distributed production equipment, they make it possible to capture and centrally manage maintenance information such as individual device status and maintenance history. This reduces costs by improving maintenance efficiency.
For this latest STARDOM version, Yokogawa has optimized its existing engineering tool that is used to configure large-scale SCADA systems based on the FOUNDATION fieldbus protocol. The new tool, FOUNDATION fieldbus Configurator, enables a 60% reduction in engineering man-hours (compared to its previous tool).
In addition to this new tool, STARDOM’s Logic Designer engineering tool for creating control applications has been improved. An enhanced Distributed Network Protocol 3 (DNP3) is also provided.
Product Features
1. New FOUNDATION fieldbus Engineering Environment
FOUNDATION fieldbus Configurator has the following features that improve engineering efficiency and enable the deployment of FOUNDATION fieldbus networks in relatively short periods of time.
1.1 For seamless operations, all screens now have the same look and feel as that of other STARDOM engineering tools.
1.2 An enhanced export and import function facilitates repeat engineering.
1.3 Application downloading time to fieldbus devices have been reduced substantially.
2. Improved Functionality of Control Application Creation Tool (Logic Designer)
New drag & drop, automatic rearrangement, automatic wiring mode switching, and other functions have been added that make this software easier to use.
3. Enhanced Functionality of DNP3 Protocol
DNP3 is a communication protocol used for controlling equipment distributed over a wide area, such as oil and gas field equipment. The protocol has been enhanced to support a wider range of SCADA applications.
