ABB CI522A 3BSE018283R1

Product Overview

CI522A is a key communication and I/O expansion component in the ABB Advant Master distributed process control system. It is defined as "AF100 Interface Module". The core function is to serve as a dedicated high-speed communication gateway between the Advant Controller 410/450 series controllers and the S800 I/O series remote I/O stations.

In the traditional Advant Master system, field I/O is mainly connected to the controller through the Advant Fieldbus. However, with the development of technology, ABB has launched the S800 I/O system, which features higher performance and more powerful functions. To enable the classic AC 400 controller to take advantage of the advanced features of the S800 I/O, a "translator" or "bridge" is needed. 3BSE018283R1 precisely plays this role. One end of the CI522A communicates with the AC 400 controller through the backplane bus, while the other end is connected to the S800 I/O station via the AF100 high-speed serial bus, thus achieving a seamless integration of the classic controller platform and the modern I/O system. The document particularly emphasizes its support for "redundant communications", which is crucial for high-availability applications.

Product functional features

Bridge the classic with the modern

Protocol conversion. The CI522A integrates complex firmware internally, which can convert the internal communication instructions issued by the AC 400 controller into AF100 protocol instructions that the S800 I/O system can understand in real time and transparently, and vice versa. For the upper-level control logic, the S800 I/O module is just like being directly plugged into the local rack, without the need for any code modification.

Protecting existing investments is the greatest value of CI522A. Factories can enjoy the benefits brought by the new generation of I/O technology, such as higher channel density, lower cost per channel, and more powerful online diagnosis, by simply adding CI522A modules and S800 I/O stations while retaining the existing and stably operating AC 400 controllers and application software. It has greatly extended the life cycle of the classic DCS system.

Support redundant communication

High availability design, the documentation clearly states that it is used for redundant communications. This means that in a redundantly configured Advant Master system, two CI522A modules can be installed and respectively connected to the primary and backup controllers. Meanwhile, the S800 I/O station is also connected to these two CI522As respectively through dual AF100 buses. When the main communication link fails, the system can automatically switch to the backup link within milliseconds to ensure zero interruption of I/O data communication and meet the strict reliability requirements of critical process procedures.

Simplify engineering and maintenance

Plug and play, in ABB's engineering tools, the CI522A and its attached S800 I/O module can be configured, downloaded and debugged just like local modules, greatly simplifying the engineering process.

Centralized diagnosis. The rich diagnostic information of the S800 I/O module can be reported to the AC 400 controller via CI522A and ultimately displayed on the operator station, facilitating maintenance personnel to quickly locate on-site issues.

Product updates and technological development

CI522A represents an important strategy for the smooth evolution and backward compatibility of systems in the field of industrial automation.

From closure to openness and then to integration. The early DCS was completely closed. With the development of technology, manufacturers have begun to offer bridge products like CI522A, allowing users to gradually introduce new technologies while protecting their existing investments. This is a very pragmatic way of evolution.

The success of CI522A also reflects the trend of decoupling I/O systems from controllers. Modern I/O systems are designed to be increasingly independent and standardized, and can be connected to various controller platforms through different interface modules.

As the Advant Master platform gradually exits the historical stage, the mission of products like CI522A will also be accomplished. The future system architecture will be more unified and integrated with higher-level IT systems through open standards such as OPC UA. However, the concept of "gradual modernization" embodied by CI522A will have long-term guiding significance in the industrial field.

DataSheet DownLoad