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Yokogawa Electric Corporation announced that it will be releasing an enhanced version of its CENTUM VP integrated production control system on March 23. The enhancements in this latest release, R6.04, include a new input/output (IO) module that will give its end users a greater range of choices.
Enhancements include as follows:
New IO module
As the latest control systems often primarily use digital signals, a new, low-cost IO module that handles only digital signals has been added to the N-IO (Network IO) lineup. To accommodate both analog and digital signals, it can be used in combination with the universal IO module. In this way, the cost of a plant construction or expansion project can reportedly be reduced.
In addition, a signal conversion function is included in the new IO module’s adaptor. With the universal IO module, a dedicated signal conversion board is required to directly receive signals from a field instrument such as a temperature sensor. The incorporation of this function in the new IO module eliminates the need for this hardware.
Windows 10
This latest version uses Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise, the optimum OS for control systems. Based on its Long-Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) service model, Microsoft provides five years of extended support in addition to the standard five years of mainstream support (free-of-charge support that includes security patch updates), thus enabling a 10-year product lifecycle. By such means, Yokogawa continues to optimize its systems and, in turn, ensures stable long-term performance.
Ring network topology
CENTUM VP’s Vnet/IP real-time control bus uses the star topology, in which all devices are connected to a central hub. This latest version also allows the use of a ring topology, in which devices are connected to each other in the form of a ring. With this feature, more flexible networks can be configured to satisfy customer needs.
Keywords: Star Topology, Ring Topology, Signal Conversion Function, Windows 10 Enterprise, ARC Advisory Group.