Yokogawa Releases CENTUM VP R6.04 Integrated Production Control System

Tokyo, Japan - March 22, 2017

Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces 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 our end users a greater range of choices.

CENTUM VP
CENTUM VP

Development Background

CENTUM VP is a highly reliable production control platform that has demonstrated its worth in a wide variety of process operations. CENTUM VP solutions encompass all stages of the plant lifecycle, from design, engineering, installation, and startup to full operation, and routine and major maintenance, including the migration and upgrade to next-level technology platforms based on user needs, market dynamics, and technology advancements.

Control systems rely on field IO devices to transfer data to and from field instruments such as sensors and valves in order to automate the control of plant facilities. CENTUM VP's N-IO (Network-IO) is one such field IO device. As the universal IO module originally developed for the N-IO device can handle a wide variety of IO signal types, it is easy to install different types of sensors when constructing a new plant or renovating an existing facility; this saves significant time and effort, and makes it possible to complete such projects much sooner. There are cases, however, when users may wish to add sensors that do not require this versatile capability. For just such a need, Yokogawa has added to its N-IO lineup a new low-cost IO device that handles only digital signals.

Enhancements

  1. 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 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 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.
  2. Windows 10
    This latest CENTUM 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.
  3. 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 CENTUM 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.

    *Vnet/IP is a control network developed by Yokogawa that features high reliability and quick response. Vnet/IP complies with the IEC61784-2 international standard.

Major Target Markets

Process industries such as oil and natural gas, petrochemicals, chemicals, electric power, pulp and paper, pharmaceuticals, foods, iron and steel, and water and wastewater

Applications

Operation, monitoring, and automatic control of plants

About the CENTUM series

Yokogawa released its CENTUM distributed control system (DCS) in 1975, a world first. CENTUM VP is the ninth generation in the CENTUM series. Known for their rugged performance, CENTUM systems set high standards for engineering and technology excellence while ensuring backwards compatibility with previous system versions and support of the latest technology applications. Knowledge-driven engineering lies at the heart of CENTUM, a Yokogawa flagship product that has been proudly serving the process industry, with over 25,000 installations globally over the past 40+ years.

 

About Yokogawa

Yokogawa's global network of 114 companies spans 59 countries. Founded in 1915, the US$3.7 billion company engages in cutting-edge research and innovation. Yokogawa is active in the industrial automation and control (IA), test and measurement, and aviation and other businesses segments. The IA segment plays a vital role in a wide range of industries including oil, chemicals, natural gas, power, iron and steel, pulp and paper, pharmaceuticals, and food. For more information about Yokogawa, please visit www.yokogawa.com.

The names of corporations, organizations, and products herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

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