Overview System Introduction

This manual describes the configuration and operation of the Ovation Link Controller module in an Ovation Process Control System.

The Ovation Distributed Control System provides modulating control, sequential control, and data acquisition for a variety of system applications. This system consists of a configurable mix of functional Input/Output (I/O) modules (described in “Ovation I/O Reference Manual” (R3-1150)) that communicate on the I/O bus to the Ovation Controller.An Ovation I/O module consists of an electronics module and a personality module.

These modules are “plug-in” components with built-in fault tolerance and diagnostics. They are able, by combining different personality modules with electronics modules, to operate at a wide range of signals, and perform a multitude of functions.

The Ovation I/O modules are locked into Base Units (two modules per Base Unit).These Base Units are housed in the Controller cabinets where they are mounted on DIN rails and wired to the appropriate field devices (see example of Controller cabinet in Figure 1-1 and detailed cabinet descriptions in “Ovation Planning and

Installation”(U3-1000).

The modular components consist of the following:

•Electronics module

•Personality module

•Base Units (containing the field terminations)

The Link Controller (LC) module provides the Ovation Controller with a serial data communications link to a third-party device or system. This communication is done via a serial RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 data link.Two serial ports are provided:

• The Applications port provides an interface to a third-party device or system.

• The Programming port provides an interface to an IBM-compatible personal computer’s COM1 or COM2 serial port (see Section 2).

The LC processor is similar to an IBM-compatible personal computer and uses a modified IBM-PC Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) and the DOS operating system. Because the LC’s architecture and operating system are compatible with an IBM-compatible personal computer, the LC can execute programs written using commercially available compilers.

Due to its flexible and open design, the LC can be used for various applications:

• The LC can provide online plant performance calculations.

• Programs designed to execute in an IBM-PC environment can communicate with the Controller and the Ovation system using the LC.

• The LC is applicable for use in CE Mark-certified systems.