GE MARK VIe SYSTEM OVERVIEW
A single-board controller is the heart of the system. The controller includes the main processor and redundant Ethernet drivers to communicate with networked I/O, and additional Ethernet drivers for the control network. A real-time, multi-tasking operating system is used for the main processor and I/O modules. Control software is provided in a configurable control block language and stored in non-volatile memory. It is similar to IEEE® 854 32-bit floating-point format, and Sequential Function Charts (SFC) are also
available for complex sequencing.
The I/O network (IONet) is a dedicated, full-duplex, point-to-point
protocol. It provides a deterministic, high-speed 100 MB communications
network that is suitable for local or distributed I/O devices, and provides
communication between the main controllers(s) and networked I/O
modules. Online controllers continuously read input data directly
from the IONet, which is available in single, dual, and triple redundant
configurations. Both copper and fiber interfaces are supported.
The Mark VIe I/O modules consist of three basic parts: the terminal board,
the terminal block, and an I/O pack. Barrier or box-type terminal blocks are
mounted on a terminal board, which mounts on a DIN rail or base in the
control cabinet. The I/O pack contains two Ethernet ports, a power supply,
a local processor, and a data acquisition board. I/O capability grows as I/O
packs are added to the control system, enabling use in a simplex, dual, or
triple redundant configuration. Some process sub-systems require even
more throughput; therefore, the local processors in each I/O pack run
algorithms at higher rates as required for the application.
REDUNDANCY
Every application has different requirements for redundancy depending on
the criticality of the process. The Mark VIe control system provides a wide
range of redundancy options for local and remote distribution.
