Simulated IO (SIO) Driver for DeltaV Comparison

This technical note provides a comparison of both MiMiC Simulated IO (SIO) drivers for DeltaV.

MiMiC Railbus SIO Driver with the Virtual IO Module for DeltaV

This driver provides a completely non-intrusive simulation interface of the DeltaV controller IO (and the process with MiMiC objects and functions).

Advantages -

• Supports full simulation of all DeltaV IO Modules including Foundation Fieldbus, ProfibusDP, DeviceNet, ASI-bus, Serial IO, and Virtual IO Module Ethernet networks.
• Supports full simulation of Foundation Fieldbus Function Blocks in Field Devices including all IO Blocks, PID, ISEL, INT, ARTH.
• DeltaV database can be tested without modification.  Tested database can be used in operating plant without modification.
• Provides a reasonable estimate of use of controller resources such as memory, CPU, instruction slippage.
• Follows the GAMP4 guidelines for use of process simulation tools for system testing in validated facilities.

Disadvantages -

• Requires the use of real controllers, power supplies, carriers in simulation system.
• Cannot use Freeze, Save, Restore or Speedup/Slowdown capability of DeltaV SimulatePro (not supported in MD controller).

MiMiC DeltaV Simulate OPC SIO Driver for DeltaV

This driver provides an OPC Client optimized to read and write values to the OPC-available parameters of modules in the DeltaV Simulate workstation.

Advantages -

• One DeltaV SimulatePro workstation can run modules from 4-6 MD controllers (real limitation is 96 MB of memory for module execution in SimulatePro and 2500 Real-time OPC Values).
• No DeltaV controller hardware, power supplies, carriers, required.
• Supports Freeze, Save, Restore and Speedup/Slowdown capability of DeltaV SimulatePro.

Disadvantages -

• Requires modification of DeltaV database in order to operate. The degree of modification is dependent upon the type of IO. Classic IO has the least, digital buss IO has the most modification required.
• DeltaV input modules have to run in the SIMULATE mode.  Simulation interface is at the module level not the IO assignment.
• No indication of controller resource use.
• DeltaV Modules may run differently in the workstation than in the controller.

SIO Driver Choice by Application

• DeltaV Software Acceptance Testing for systems that use Digital Busses and Serial Interfaces – DeltaV Railbus SIO Driver with the VIM
• DeltaV Software Acceptance Testing for systems that have classic IO alone – DeltaV Railbus SIO Driver with the VIM (first choice), DeltaV Simulate OPC SIO Driver(second choice)
• DeltaV Software Acceptance Testing for validated systems that have classic IO alone – DeltaV Railbus SIO Driver with the VIM
• DeltaV Operator Training - DeltaV Simulate OPC SIO Driver (first choice), DeltaV Railbus SIO Driver with the VIM (second choice)
• DeltaV Small Project Development / Testing System for Operating Plants – DeltaV Railbus SIO Driver with the VIM

Please remember that one MiMiC system can support both drivers for DeltaV, and simulate module values in DeltaV Simulate workstations, using the DeltaV Simulate OPC SIO Driver, and IO values in the DeltaV MD or MX Controller, using the DeltaV Railbus SIO Driver, simultaneously, over different datasets.