Key to the power of the Controlstar® range of products is the ‘Fusion’ configuration tool, it provides a system wide method of building an application without programming skills - opening up the design of control algorithms and SCADA to personnel that know the system requirements, but do not wish to become embroiled in programming, IT, or communication technology.

‘Pick and Place’ powerful control blocks and mimic elements.

Control algorithms are designed through ‘Fusion’ using function blocks and a pick-and-place method, an approach that is easily mastered by non-specialists. These function block algorithms become ‘live’ when the system is online, and show the live plant and control logic status offering class leading maintenance and commissioning support. It was this capability that has achieved significant savings in engineering and commissioning costs in projects in the North Sea.

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Using a set of visual objects, the ‘Fusion’ program guides the user through creating the control algorithms, the mimics, assigning alarms, and trends; it will produce the total configuration files that bind all levels of a system together. These configuration files are downloaded to the Controlstar® either over Ethernet, or for a remote applications using the telemetry network. Quickly designers can develop systems that provide precise control, and which the operators find easy to understand. The whole process is self-documenting; and enhancing designs to meet future needs is straightforward. Fusion is a groundbreaking design tool that significantly reduces engineering costs. 
None specialist can build and support a system.
A control solution is total WYSIWYG, and completely version controlled.

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For the control algorithms ‘Fusion’ uses the same function block approach as in IEEE 61131 but tailored so that a none specialists finds the design operation easy to understand and use. There is comprehensive library of function blocks; these include analogue controls such as a full PID block, and powerful calculations for AGA 3, 7,and 8. 

The mimic design tool includes a library of graphical objects that the designer picks from and places on the mimic page. These graphical objects include standard valves etc and specific objects like a PID faceplate. The designer binds these objects to the variables in the associated algorithm control page, and for example the PID can optional be associated with a small trend element that in the live system pops up showing a trace of the prime variables.

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The Fusion software package is programmed in platform independent JAVA, ensuring this software product is capable of long-term support. Fusion is currently running on Linux, Windows 2000, and windows XP on PC’s and Laptops; it will run on systems running a current Java virtual machine.