Pacsystems RX3i gains high-availability function

GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms UK has introduced a scalable high-availability solution for its Pacsystems RX3i controller.

By combining essential processes and capabilities onto one platform, the Pacsystems RX3i controller is described as a powerful, scalable, flexible and efficient means to increasing productivity.

It now adds high availability to its multi-domain functionality, along with logic, motion, a human-machine interface (HMI) and process control.

Built on a synchronised hot-standby redundant control platform with transparent bumpless process switchover and easy configuration, Pacsystems RX3i High Availability facilitates continuous uptime in essential applications.

Pacsystems RX3i High Availability is designed to keep essential systems running efficiently and reliably by connecting two independent controllers on the company's proven Redundant Memory Xchange (RMX) reflective memory technology link, providing up to 2Mb of data synchronisation.

If an event occurs with the primary controller, the control functionality is automatically switched over to the redundant controller for continuous operations.

It serves the needs of applications where continuous uptime is essential to profitability and where bottlenecks must be avoided.

The device also serves the needs of remote locations where time and cost to repair is extended and in operations where work stoppage means lost production.

It can be found in a range of areas, such as protecting critical information in data warehouses, ensuring water quality at water treatment plants and keeping the power on for hospitals and surgery centres.

With Pacsystems RX3i High Availability, operations globally are delivering results for a sustainable competitive advantage, according to the company.

These include: minimised downtime through a robust, dual-redundancy sync link; increased productivity as a result of fast, powerful synchronisation and the ability to maintain individual system components without interruption; maximum protection of investments with flexible, scalable, open architectures; time savings and reduced engineering costs with easy configuration and quick start-up and maintenance; and increased data integrity through advanced memory error checking and correction (ECC).

Pacsystems RX3i offers true dual-redundancy data synchronisation with dual modules that are dedicated, redundant links to one another.

They operate with virtually no overhead added to the control application.

GE Fanuc's patented RMX modules, based on reflective memory technology, synchronise the system at the beginning of the input scan and at the end of the output scan.

Furthermore, the systems can be located up to 300m apart to so that any localised event affecting one system does not affect the other.

Pacsystems RX3i High Availability is designed to operate as a single, complete system, eliminating the complex preparations typically associated with synchronising and data transfer.

Configuration is facilitated by a Redundancy Wizard that guides the user in setting up shared data and input/output (I/O) for both systems in minutes.

Pacsystems's high-speed memory sharing enables central-processing units (CPUs) to be synchronised at 2.12Gbit/s and multiple devices to transfer large amounts of data, up to 2Mb, over a fibre-optic deterministic network at speeds up to 20 times faster than Ethernet.

The use of fibre-optic connections allows users to operate in high-noise areas and cover large distances in real time.

Bill Black, product manager for controllers at GE Fanuc, said: 'The Pacsystems RX3i High Availability really maximises return on investment.

'With minimised downtime in process, increased productivity with fast powerful synchronisation, reduced engineering costs with easy configuration and increased data integrity, all in the smaller footprint of the RX3i, customers really see the power of the system,' he added.

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