ControlCare Application Designer Suite SFE120

ControlCare Field-based Control System (FCS) is a combination of software and hardware components based on open standards, the purpose of which is to connect Endress+Hauser devices to process control, operating and maintenance systems. It can be used to visualize, monitor and control production processes.

ControlCare Application Designer is a software for network engineering, control strategy configuration using function blocks and hybrid control programming.

ControlCare Application Designer allows the engineering, configuring, commissioning and set-up of a ControlCare field-based control system comprising SFC162 FOUNDATION fieldbus™ and/or SFC173 PROFIBUS^® Field Controller together with the associated field instrumentation. It allows control strategies to be created for FOUNDATION fieldbus™ and PROFIBUS^® I/O applications using FOUNDATION fieldbus™ function blocks and the programming of hybrid function blocks with IEC 61131-3 programming languages. A project comprises three main components:

	The physical project, or fieldbus view, which maps the "hardware" used in the project, e.g. host computer, Field Controller, local or remote I/O, measuring instruments and actuators. For ease of handling, the fieldbus network expands into a HSE network and one or more Fieldbus and/or Profibus networks.
	The logical project or plant view, which is structured according to the ISA S88 model and devides the plant into areas, process cells and control modules (loops). For ease of handling, the plant network expands into one or more process cells, each with one or more control modules.
	The control strategy, which contains the function blocks and links required to perform the desired control function. Each control module has its own control strategy, which is programmed in its own window.
	The complete project is contained within a single navigation tree, which is always the starting point when a project is opened or created.

A project can be engineered from different starting points. For example, it is possible to engineer the physical project first, creating fieldbus segments, devices and function blocks, then to attach the function blocks to the logical project in the control strategy window. Alternatively, the logical project including the control strategy can be created first: the physical project is then created and the function blocks (previously created in the logical part) are attached afterwards to the Field Controller and field devices.

When complete, the entire project is downloaded to the Field Controller SFC162 or SFC173. At this stage the virtual devices in the offline project are connected to their real counterparts in the plant, and the application is started up. Application Designer can now be used to optimise the project on-line or to intervene in the process, e.g. by changing setpoints and other parameters.

ControlCare Application Designer uses the latest Windows technology to provide simple operation of the software. In many cases, functions can be called by menu, context menu (right-click on a program object), double-clicks or a button on the toolbar. ControlCare Application Designer includes a complete tool for drawing control strategies.

ControlCare Application Designer allows the engineering, configuring, commissioning and set-up of a ControlCare field-based control system comprising SFC162 FOUNDATION fieldbus™ and/or SFC173 PROFIBUS^® Field Controller together with the associated field instrumentation.

When you work with the program you will be concerned with six basic elements:

	The menu bar, in which the main menus are called, and which may change according to the window you are working in.
	The toolbar, which may change according to the window you are working in.
	The project window or view, which shows the entire topology of the project.
	The process cell window or plant view, which shows the logical project.
	The fieldbus window or view, which shows the physical project. Separate windows open for the HSE network and the each Fieldbus (PROFIBUS® DP and/or FOUNDATION fieldbus™ H1).
	The control module/strategy window or view, which allows you to build a control strategy by creating and linking function blocks.

In addition, auxilary windows, e.g. live lists, appear when the appropriate function is invoked. ControlCare Application Designer also uses context menus, which offer the functions relevant for the object currently selected only.

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Application Designer workspace showing Project, Fieldbus network, Process Cell and Control Module windows.

More information about Application Designer workspace...

ControlCare Application Designer runs on Windows 2000^®, Windows XP^® and Windows Server 2003^®:

	You need to have administrator rights for the installation.
	Application Designer Suite operates with a license protection key. Any licence keys already used on your computer should be unplugged before the software is installed.
	Download and Online operation procedures require an Ethernet connection between your computer and the Field Controller SFC162 and/or SFC173.

Note:

Manufacturer Information about ControlCare Field-based Control System - ControlCare Application Designer Suite - SFE120 for users regarding software updates (following the NAMUR recommendation 53).

Details of product/software version and the individual components of Application Designer Suite can be seen

in the About ControlCare dialog included on the ControlCare CD-ROM.

The table below indicates the documents, containing safety relevant information, installation, commissioning and operating instructions for the equipment and software associated with ControlCare Field-based Control System (FCS).

Install ControlCare Application Designer and the associated programs and manuals in accordance with the instructions.

All documentation available at the time of release is included on the ControlCare CD-ROM.

The ControlCare documents can also be obtained from the Endress+Hauser Download Area.