EVSystems Data Solutions
is a system integrator, allowing customers to connect SCADA
and automation systems to their operation, business and information
systems. Services include: Data Historian implementation and
integration, SCADA Design and optimization, System architecture
evaluations and consulting, Multi-platform integration, and
Custom software and Relational Database design and development.
EVSystems was recently contracted by GE Sensing to develop
an I/O driver for a cryogenic tank monitoring application.
The customer was installing 50 Cryogenic tanks; each would
be monitored and controlled with TEC 2000 / 3000 controllers
by MVE Bio-Medical, Chart Industries, Inc. The controllers
support a robust ASCII protocol over RS-485. EVSystems would
need to develop a driver that could support this ASCII protocol
but easily integrate with the GE Labwatch™ system that would
be monitoring the tanks. The application had several challenges:
- There was limited development time and budget, so the solution
would need to be developed quickly.
- It would need to compatible with the GE Proficy HMI SCADA/iFIX application.
- It needed to be easily scalable since the customer had plans to triple the number of tanks to over 150 tanks and controllers over the next few years.
- It needed to be extremely robust and reliable so the solution could be easily validated
for a FDA 21 CFR 11 application.
After briefly considering development of a serial driver "from scratch" EVSystems realized that the time and cost would be exorbitant. EVSystems learned of Kepware's User-Configurable (U-CON) driver which is housed in Kepware's field proven OPC server KEPServerEX. After a short evaluation, EVSystems realized that U-CON would fulfill the application requirements
- U-CON's easy development and test environment enabled EVSystems
to create a working driver that could read and write data
within the first hour, vs. the several weeks typically associated
with developing a new I/O driver.
- Kepware OPC servers support
all OPC DA specifications including several Native Interfaces
such as the "NIO" interface of the GE Proficy iFIX SCADA
system. Multiple application connectivity options would maximize
compatibility options.
- A complete U-CON license has no
device or tag limits so it would be easy to expand connectivity
as the customer adds more tank controllers to the system.
- The U-CON driver has several advanced capabilities that
are not available even in dedicated I/O drivers. One such
capability includes conditional "If-Then-Else" logic when
reading serial data and the ability to disable the polling
of a specific device if the device stops responding.
EVSystems developed a driver that is scalable, robust and surprisingly intelligent
for a fraction of the anticipated costs. The ease of developing an OPC driver
for a serial device has led EVSystems Data Solutions to specify the U-CON driver
for another pharmaceutical application reading an air particulate monitor. "There
are numerous project risks associated with the pharmaceutical application that
we are developing," stated Stephen Friedenthal, EVSystems Data Solutions' president,
"but developing a driver for the air particulate monitors isn't one of them.
With the U-CON driver I can concentrate on other tasks with full confidence that
we will be able to integrate the air particulate monitors with the SCADA system
in a couple of hours." EVSystems Data Solutions, LLC (http://www.evsystems.net)
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