The FCP280 performs regulation, logic, timing and sequence control, as well as data acquisition, alarm detection and alarm notification.

Acquisition, alarm detection and alarm notification. Process variables are controlled using time-proven algorithms (mathematical calculations that perform specific functions).

These algorithms are contained in functional control blocks that are configured by the field process engineer to implement the desired control strategy.

The versatility of the algorithms, combined with the variety of available FBMs, provides control capabilities suitable for a wide range of process applications.

From simple feedback and cascade loops to highly complex feed-forward, non-linear and complex characteristic control schemes, a variety of control strategies can be easily implemented.

The FCP280 also supports the following functions:

– Setting and reading FCP280 beacons via panel pushbuttons

– Function Block Alarm Enhancement:

Re-alarm on alarm priority change

Re-alarm on configurable time-delayed dead zones and suppress alarms based on time

– Optional UTC external time synchronisation

– Improved controller performance

– The optional self-hosted mode allows the FCP280 to boot up and run, executing configured control schemes using checkpoint files stored in flash memory.

This allows the FCP280 to start up with an efficient control database even if the host workstation is not present.

– Supports high-speed functions such as ladder logic, Motor Drive Actuator Controller (MDACT) and Distributed Proportional Integral Derivative Function (DPIDA)

Supported Devices

The FCP280 supports the following devices on the 2 Mbps fieldbus:

– All compact and standard 200 series FBMs, which support many types of intelligent field devices.

All compact and standard 200 series FBMs can support many types of intelligent field devices, www.ge-drive.com including those on Foundation Fieldbus, PROFIBUS, HART, and DeviceNet networks.

– Foxboro DCS Field Device System Integrator (FDSI) Modules

– Intrinsically Safe I/O Subsystem (ISCM) – see Intrinsically Safe I/O Subsystem (PSS 31H-2Y6)

– DCS Migration Fieldbus Module for Siemens APACS+ Systems

– DCS Migration Fieldbus Module for Westinghouse WDPF® Systems

– DCS Fieldbus Migration Module for Fisher PROVOX® 20 Series Migration HART

– DCS Fieldbus Migration Module for Honeywell® TDC 2000 Systems (with standard backplane for HART use).

The FCP280 supports the following devices on a 268 Kbps fieldbus:

– 100 Series FBM

– SPECTRUM™ Migration Integrator

– SPEC 200™ Control Integrator

– SPEC 200 MICRO™ Control Integrator

– SPEC 200 CCM Control Integrator

Foxboro Gas Chromatographs are not supported.

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

The FCP280 has a liquid crystal display (LCD) on the panel that displays a variety of status and identification information, including

Status and identification information:

– The first line typically displays the letter number and role (Master/Shadow/Single) of the FCP280.

– The second line shows the FCP280’s part number, hardware revision information, date of manufacture, operating system version, and its status on the control network.

LED Indicators

The light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on the front of the FCP280 module provide a visual indication of the

– FCP280 operating status

– Transmit/receive communication activity on the four extended fieldbus channels (Fieldbus A and B on each channel) LEDs on copper or fibre optic network adapters provide visual indication of the following

– Internal and external power supply health status

– Communication activity with the control network A and B links and the FCP280

Enhanced reliability (fault tolerance)

The FCP280’s unique, patented fault-tolerant operation improves reliability compared to traditional process controllers.

The fault-tolerant version of the FCP280 consists of two modules operating in parallel with two Ethernet connections to the control network.

The two FCP280 modules are combined as a fault-tolerant pair, ensuring continuous operation of the controller in the event of any hardware failure in one of the modules.

Both modules receive and process information simultaneously and faults are detected by the modules themselves. One important method of fault detection is to compare the communication messages of the modules’ external interfaces.

A message leaves the FCP280 only if the two FCP280s agree on the message to be sent (bit for bit match).

bit match). Once a fault is detected, both modules run self-diagnostics to determine which module is affected.

The modules run self-diagnostics to determine which module is affected. The unaffected module then takes over control without affecting the normal operation of the system.

This fault-tolerant solution offers the following key advantages over redundant-only controllers

Redundant controllers only:

– No error messages are sent to the field or to applications using the controller data, because unless the two modules match exactly bit-for-bit in sending a message, the

No information is allowed to flow out of the controller.

– The secondary controller is synchronised with the primary controller, which helps to ensure that the most up-to-date data is available in the event of a primary controller failure.

– Since the secondary controller performs exactly the same operations as the primary controller, potential defects can be detected prior to any switchover.