Setting Up Concurrent Operator Training Sessions

This technical note covers the recommended best practices to setup concurrent operator training systems from one MiMiC license.

Concurrent operator training systems have multiple operator training stations with simulation controlled from one MiMiC simulation software license. To follow is a system architecture for a concurrent operator training system. In the drawing below, four DeltaV Simulate Standalone workstations are used for operator training stations. These stations can use the exact same DeltaV configuration or have completely different databases. For the purpose of this tech note we will assume that the DeltaV configuration is identical for all four operator training stations.

System Architecture of Concurrent Operator Training System with Four Operator Stations and One MiMiC Workstation

To build concurrent operator training stations, the user will need to fully develop and test the process models, SIO definition, training scenarios, and snapshots for the first node. This node will be cloned to the additional operator stations. In order to minimize rework and modifications we recommend that the user thoroughly test the simulation for the first node before cloning this simulation and training configuration to the other nodes.

MiMiC Explorer View of single Operator Station Simulation prior to Concurrent Station setup.

To duplicate the tested simulation and training definitions for additional operator training nodes, please follow the following procedure.

Process Models:

1. Copy and paste the node into the modeling area of MiMiC Explorer.
2. Change the name of the new nodes to identify with the new operator station.

SIO Definition:

1. Copy and paste the SIO definition in the IO Definition tab of the MiMiC Explorer. 
2. Change the Server machine name under the connection tab of the properties command to the name of the operator simulator workstation.
3. Rename the new SIO definition  so that it easily is identified with the operator training station.

Operator Training Scenarios:

1. Export all Scenario for the node defined in the Training section of the MiMiC Explorer.
2. Open the XML export in Notepad or other text editor.
3. Change the name and node references to a new Scenario name (that can be identified with the node) and the Node to the node that you want to run the scenario on.
4. Import the new Scenario export file back into MiMiC.

Snapshot Control:

1. Export the Snapshot Control for the first operator training station.
2. Open the XML export in Notepad or other text editor.
3. Change the name and node references to a new Snapshot name (that can be identified with the node) and the Node to the node that you want to run the snapshot on.
4. Import the new Snapshot export file back into MiMiC.
5. Go to the snapshot directory on the MiMiC workstation.  The path name should be C:\Program Files\Mynah Technologies\MiMiC\Databases\"database_name"\Snapshots\.
6. Copy and paste the Snapshot definition directory, rename it to the same name as the new imported snapshot definition.
7. Under each snapshot definition  rename the files so that the node name (beginning of the file name) is the same as the new operator station snapshot definition name.
8. Finally, under each snapshot definition there is a checksum file (*.check).  Open this file in Notepad and change the node name on the second line to the workstation name of the new operator station.

Component Studio Instructor Station Graphics:

1. Copy and paste the graphic view in the Views area of MiMiC Explorer.
2. Change the name of the new instructor station graphic to identify with the new operator station.
3. Open the new graphic view. Select View / Manage OPC Variables and change the node names to identify with the new operator station.

MiMiC Explorer View with Concurrent Operator Training Sessions

Once the above steps are finished, close MiMiC Explorer and re-open it.  The new modeling nodes, SIO definition, training scenarios, and snapshot control definitions should be fully populated and ready to use.