EP03-300-200
December,
2003
Release 200
Version 1.0
Experion PKS CEE-based Controller Specifications and Models
5
Communication Infrastructure
Experion PKS supports three different communication networks to connect the system’s supervisory
layer (or human-machine-interface layer) with the control layer, to meet the customer’s specifications.
The network types are:
•
Fault Tolerant Ethernet (FTE),
•
ControlNet, and
•
Single Ethernet.
The system only supports one type of Supervisory Control Network per Experion PKS Server.
Fault Tolerant Ethernet Overview
Fault Tolerant Ethernet: High Availability Ethernet for Industrial Applications
The evolution of open Ethernet technology has introduced high-performance, low-cost networking to
industrial plants. Until now, providing the robustness of industrial control networks with commercial-off-
the-shelf (COTS) Ethernet equipment remained a major hurdle. Honeywell unites the benefits of
Ethernet technology with their expertise in designing robust networks to deliver the patented Fault
Tolerant Ethernet (FTE) solution. For more detailed information see the Fault Tolerant Ethernet (FTE)
Specification and Technical Data, EP03-500-200.
The controller or Fieldbus-only chassis is connected with the FTE network through a newly designed
FTE Bridge module that is placed in the controller/FIM chassis. The FTE Bridge module supports
redundancy so can be used in a redundant Controller and Fieldbus chassis as well. See the Models-at-
a-Glance Examples sections for a topology and more detailed information.
As stated above, the Experion PKS server only supports one Supervisory Control Network type.
However, the Experion PKS server does support the ControlNet interface card in conjunction with the
FTE Supervisory Control Network for SCADA connections to ControlNet resident Allen-Bradley
devices. This also requires RSLinx software installation on the server. A SCADA solution is also
supported through a single Ethernet connection. Allen-Bradley devices can be connected via single
Ethernet with an FTE switch. With a separate Ethernet module, a remote or non-redundant controller
chassis can be connected with the same FTE switch as an Allen Bradley PLC.
FTE is the only network that supports the new Experion Station - Console.
ControlNet Overview
ControlNet: Based on the ControlNet International Standard
ControlNet is an open network specification specifically designed for industrial control applications. It
can be deployed in a single or redundant fashion to provide higher availability of the network.
ControlNet can be deployed as Supervisory Control Network to connect the control layer with the
supervisory layer of the system. It is also the only supported network to connect additional IO chassis
to a controller.
The controller or Fieldbus-only chassis is connected with the ControlNet network through a ControlNet
Interface Module (CNI) with single or redundant media connections. The CNI module supports
redundancy so can be used in a redundant Controller and Fieldbus chassis as well. See the Models-at-
a-Glance Examples sections for a topology and more detailed information.
Ethernet Overview
Ethernet: Open Network Technology
Ethernet is an open network technology that is used to communicate the Ethernet/IP protocol through
the single media Ethernet module. It can only be deployed in a single fashion; therefore it has the
lowest availability of the three supported network types. Ethernet can be deployed as Supervisory
Control Network to connect the control layer with the supervisory layer of the system
