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GE FANUC INTRODUCES NEW MAX-ON SOFTWARE FOR CRITICAL CONTROL HOT BACKUP REDUNDANCY
GE Fanuc's new Max-ON hot backup redundancy software delivers an off-the-shelf configuration solution for applications such as fuel loading, standby power generation, boiler systems, and manufacturing systems that require a modular level of critical control. Integrated with standard GE Fanuc Series 90-30 PLCs and a wide range of I/O options, the Max-ON software family, which includes Max-ON Lite, Max-ON Standard, and Max-ON Extended, provides the benefits of a redundant CPU system without the typical program development costs. With a standard plug-and-play approach to subroutines such as synchronisation of variables, redundant I/O bus control, program equivalence testing, selection of master CPU, and advanced diagnostics, Max-ON reduces the demands on system administration and maintenance personnel. The redundant portion of a Max-ON-configured system consists of two GE Fanuc Series 90-30 PLCs, which communicate with each other and the remote I/O system over Genius LAN. Max-ON's user-friendly environment allows the user to create the configuration by selecting from available point-and-click options. The configuration utility makes extensive use of dialog boxes for entering system configuration information. The Windows-based configuration utility is integrated with the VersaPro application development environment. The VersaPro development environment is then used to apply the Max-ON software to the redundant processors providing all necessary system communication and synchronisation functions. GE Fanuc Max-ON software also features advanced diagnostics to facilitate troubleshooting, such as analog input out of range, CPU off-line, loss of I/O block, system bus fault, CPU configuration mismatch, and I/O bus failure. Additional benefits of the Max-ON hot backup redundancy software include factory standard platforms, scaleable CPU performance, fault tolerant I/O communications, a variety of HMI communications options, and automatic program download. Max-ON Lite is specially configured to provide the basic PLC user with many off-the-shelf redundancy features found in higher level systems. Max-ON Lite provides a highly cost-effective redundancy platform with a simple plug-and-play environment. Pre-configuration of all input and output addresses and mapping of automatically transferred system variables simplifies the task of system configuration, while the user-friendly Windows-based programming environment allows system engineers to get the application into operation fast. Max-ON Standard features extended I/O capability of up to 1,500 points, configurable synchronised data, status and diagnostic flags, selectable master, and Dual Genius LAN. Max-ON Standard I/O can be distributed to one or more Genius LANs, which operate at distances of up to 2286m over twisted pair cable, or self-healing fibre optic rings for longer distances. Max-ON Extended was designed with the advanced user in mind to provide configuration flexibility while maintaining ease of use. Coupled with the power and functionality of Ethernet data synchronisation, Max-ON Extended accommodates over 5,000 I/O points. A standard utility provides dialog boxes for selecting system configuration details, as well as on-line diagnostics reporting, communication status, and I/O fault reporting. Special functions include analog input scaling, program equivalence testing, selection of master CPU, and synchronisation of application program variables. Diagnostics monitored by the software include analog input out of range, CPU off line, bus fault, invalid checksum and loss of I/O. Faults and alarms are logged automatically in the fault history table, where reference address, fault description, and date and time stamp are recorded for up to 32 records. A variety of communication interface modules allow for easy access by HMI and other MIS functions.
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