schneiderI/A Series® Hardware Control Processor 40

The Control Processor 40 is a high-end optionally 

fault-tolerant station in the Control Processor family 

(CP10, CP30, CP40) that has: 

• a larger memory capacity to support a greater 

number of blocks

• a faster processor for increased block processing 

With high performance, the CP40 is both economical 

and in line with today's advancing technology. Other 

members of the CP family are easily upgradable to 

CP40 capabilities.

The Control Processor 40 performs regulatory, logic, 

timing, and sequential control together with 

connected:

• Fieldbus Modules (FBMs)

• Fieldbus Cluster I/O Cards (FBCs)

• SPECTRUM Migration Integrator I/O

• SPEC 200 Migration Integrator I/O

• SPEC 200 MICRO Migration Integrator I/O

It also performs data acquisition (via the Fieldbus 

Modules), alarm detection and notification, and may 

optionally serve as an interface for one or more Panel 

Display Stations.

The non-fault-tolerant version of the Control 

Processor 40 is a single-width processor module. The 

fault-tolerant version consists of two single-width 

processor modules.

Enhanced Reliability

The Control Processor 40 offers optional faulttolerance for enhanced reliability. The fault-tolerant 

control processor configuration consists of two 

parallel-operating modules with two separate 

connections to the Nodebus and to the Fieldbus.

The two control processor modules, married together 

as a fault-tolerant pair, are designed to provide 

continued operation of the unit in the event of virtually 

any hardware failure occurring within one module of 

the pair. Both modules receive and process 

information simultaneously, and faults are detected by 

the modules themselves. One of the significant 

methods of fault detection is comparison of 

communication messages at the module external 

interfaces. Upon detection of a fault, self-diagnostics 

are run by both modules to determine which module 

is defective. The non-defective module then assumes 

control without affecting normal system operations.

To further ensure reliable communications, the faulttolerant control processor performs error detection 

and address verification tests in its Nodebus and 

Fieldbus interfaces. 

For enhanced reliability during maintenance 

operations, the Control Processor 40 is equipped with 

a recessed reset button, located at the front of the 

module. This feature provides for manually forcing a 

module power off and on (reboot) without removing 

the module from the enclosure.

Diagnostics

The Control Processor 40 uses three types of 

diagnostic tests to detect and/or isolate faults:

• Power-up self-checks

• Run-time and watchdog timer checks

• Off-line diagnostics

Power-up self-checks are self-initiated when power is 

applied to the control processor. These checks 

perform sequential tests on the various control 

processor functional elements. Red and green 

indicators at the front of the control processor module 

reflect the successful (or non-successful) completion 

of the various phases of the control processor startup 

sequence. 

The run-time and watchdog timer checks provide 

continuous monitoring of control processor functions 

during normal system operations. The operator is 

informed of a malfunction by means of printed or 

displayed system messages.

Off-line diagnostics are temporarily loaded into the 

system for the purpose of performing comprehensive 

tests and checks on various system stations and 

devices. Using the off-line diagnostics, a suspected 

fault in the control processor can be isolated and/or 

confirmed.

Fieldbus Modules 

Fieldbus Modules provide connection of digital I/O, 

analog I/O, and Intelligent Transmitters to control 

processors. There are two types of Fieldbus Modules: 

Main and Expansion. Some main modules can be 

expanded using an expansion module.

A wide range of Fieldbus Modules is available to 

perform the signal conversion necessary to interface 

the control processor with field sensors and 

actuators. For further information on the Fieldbus 

Modules, refer to the Fieldbus Modules Product 

Specification Sheet (PSS 21H-3B1 B3).

Fieldbus Flexibility

The Control Processor 40 is used in three different 

Fieldbus configurations, which provide broad flexibility 

in Fieldbus implementation:

• Local Fieldbus (Figure 1) - Used only within the 

enclosure, the local bus can extend up to 10 m 

(30 ft). Up to 24 Fieldbus Modules (excluding 

expansion modules) attach directly to the local 

bus, which is redundant

• Twinaxial (Dual-Conductor Coaxial) Fieldbus 

Extension (Figure 2) - Using twinaxial cable, the 

Fieldbus can optionally extend outside of the 

enclosure and can be up to 1800 m (6000 ft) in 

length. Up to 64 Fieldbus Modules (excluding 

expansion modules) attach to the extended bus 

through Fieldbus isolators. (Up to 24 Fieldbus 

Modules, excluding expansion modules, can 

connect to each isolator.) The twinaxial Fieldbus 

extension may be redundant.

• Fiber Optic Fieldbus Extension (Figure 3) - The 

fiber optic Fieldbus can optionally extend the 

distance as well as add application versatility and 

security. Overall Fieldbus length can be up to 

20 km (12.4 mi). Like the twinaxial Fieldbus 

configuration, the fiber optic Fieldbus 

configuration supports up to 64 Fieldbus Modules 

(excluding expansion modules), up to 24 

Modules per isolator.

All three Fieldbus configurations use serial data 

communication complying with Electronic Industrial 

Association (EIA) Standard RS-485. The data 

transmission rate is 268.75 Kbps.

Panel Display Station Interfacing

The Control Processor 40 achieves the capability to 

interface Panel Display Stations when the DSI (Panel 

Display Station Interface) block is selected via the 

configurator. In this capacity, the Control 

Processor 40 can interface up to 24 Panel Display 

Stations, or a combination of Fieldbus modules 

(which may include associated Auto/Manual Stations) 

and Panel Display Stations mixed on the same 

Fieldbus. (Note, however, that per configuration rules, 

one Panel Display Station counts as two Fieldbus 

Modules.)

Control strategies should be planned such that all 

blocks involved with the Panel Display Station, 

Auto/Manual Station, and the control loops being 

monitored or controlled are in the same Control 

Processor 40, and ideally in the same compound.

The Control Processor 40 connects to the Panel 

Display Stations and Fieldbus Modules via either of 

two types of Fieldbus communications media: 

twinaxial cable or fiber optic cable. Figure 4 shows a 

typical twinaxial Fieldbus configuration, and Figure 5

shows a typical fiber optic Fieldbus configuration. 

(Refer to Fiber Optic Fieldbus Product Specification 

Sheet PSS 21H-7P1 B3 for additional fiber optic 

Fieldbus application information.)

Cluster I/O Subsystem Interfacing

The Control Processor 40 interfaces with the Fieldbus 

Cluster Input/Output Subsystem that consists of the 

Fieldbus, a multi-slot chassis configuration of a 

Fieldbus Processor (FBP10), analog/digital Fieldbus 

Cards (FBCs), and power supply and power monitor 

card. These Cluster I/O subsystems meet the needs 

of applications where a high number of channels per 

card are required. Figure 6 shows a typical twinaxial 

Fieldbus configuration. (Refer to the Fieldbus Cluster 

I/O Subsystem PSS 21H-2T1 B3 for additional 

information.)

SPECTRUM Migration Interfacing

The Control Processor 40 interfaces with a 

SPECTRUM Migration Integrator subsystem via a 

single or redundant I/A Series Fieldbus and a 

Fieldbus Processor (FBP) with built-in FBP isolator 

located within the subsystem. There are four different 

FBP integrators to accommodate Unit Control 

Modules (UCM), Field Input/Output Units (FIO), 

Universal Field Multiplexers (UFM), and Universal 

Input/Output Units (UIO).

The CP40 control strategy can include any of 

following SPECTRUM configurations:

• a single SPECTRUM Migration Integrator 

subsystem

• multiple types of SPECTRUM Migration 

Integrator subsystems

• Fieldbus Modules (FBMs) and/or other Fieldbusbased process interface subsystems along with 

the SPECTRUM Integrator subsystem(s)

Control is via the software resident in the FBP 

Integrator and in the SPECTRUM I/O Equipment 

Control Blocks (ECBs) operating at the CP level.

Figure 7 illustrates a typical configuration with 

multiple types of Integrator subsystems with nests of 

I/O cards. (Refer to PSS 21H-7Q1 B3 SPECTRUM 

Migration Integrators for additional information.)

Figure 7. Twinaxial Fieldbus SPECTRUM Migration Subsystem Interface Configuration (Typical Configuration)

SPEC 200 Control Interfacing

For migration of SPEC 200 control to I/A Series 

Systems, the Control Processor 40 interfaces via a 

single or redundant I/A Series Fieldbus with the 

SPEC 200 Control Integrator subsystem. This 

subsystem consists of individual Control Integrators, 

and Fieldbus Isolators attached within the SPEC 200 

rack.

Control is via the software resident in the Control 

Integrator and in the SPEC 200 I/O Equipment 

Control Blocks (ECBs) operating at the CP level. 

Figure 8 illustrates a typical configuration with 

multiple Control Integrators in the SPEC 200 

subsystem. (Refer to PSS 21H-7R1 B3 SPEC 200 

Control Integrators for additional information.)

Figure 8. Twinaxial Fieldbus SPEC 200 Control Subsystem Interface Configuration (Typical Configuration)

SPEC 200 MICRO Control Interfacing

For migration of SPEC 200 MICRO control to 

I/A Series systems, the Control Processor 40 

interfaces via a single or redundant I/A Series 

Fieldbus with the SPEC 200 MICRO Control 

Integrator subsystem. This subsystem consists of 

individual Control Integrators, and Fieldbus Isolators 

attached within the SPEC 200 MICRO rack (NCM or 

SPEC 200 2ANU).

Control is via the software resident in the Control 

Integrator and in the SPEC 200 MICRO I/O 

Equipment Control Blocks (ECBs) operating at the 

CP level. Figure 9 illustrates a typical configuration 

with multiple Control Integrators in the SPEC 200 

MICRO subsystem. (Refer to PSS 21H-7R2 B3 SPEC 

200 MICRO Control Integrators for additional 

information.)

Control Processor 40 Upgrade

Upgrading a Control Processor 30, Control Processor 

10, Tank Processor 10, or Display Processor 10 to a 

CP40 involves:

• Replacing the existing Control Processor with a 

CP40

• Upgrading the software license

• Modifying the System Configurator to identify the 

CP40

• Loading existing compounds to the CP40

Twinaxial Fieldbus SPEC 200 MICRO Control Subsystem Interface Configuration (Typical Configuration)

Processor Type

CONTROL PROCESSOR

Microprocessor-based Intel 486DX4 (running at 

100 MHz) with stored programs, using high-speed 

communication capability.

NODEBUS PROCESSOR

82596CA LAN CoProcessor

FIELDBUS PROCESSOR

8344AH MicroController with serial port

Memory

SIZE

4 MB storage

ERROR DETECTION

Parity provides single-bit error detection for each 

byte.

Process I/O Communications

LOCAL TWINAXIAL(A) FIELDBUS

Type

EIA RS-485

Distance

10 m (30 ft)

Transmission Rate

268.75 Kbps

EXTENDED TWINAXIAL(A) FIELDBUS(B)

Type

EIA RS-485

Distance

1800 m (6000 ft)

Transmission Rate

268.75 Kbps

FIBER OPTIC FIELDBUS(C)

Type

Optical

Distance

20 km (12.4 mi)

Transmission Rate

268.75 Kbps

Process I/O Capacity

LOCAL

24 Fieldbus Modules(D), maximum

EXTENDED

64 Fieldbus Modules(D), maximum (24 maximum on 

any one Fieldbus isolator)

PANEL DISPLAY STATION INTERFACING

Up to 64 FBMs(D) or FBM equivalents (24 maximum 

on any one Fieldbus isolator). One Panel Display 

Station counts as two FBMs. For example, if 24 

FBMs are used, only 20 Panel Display Stations may 

be used.

Power Requirements

INPUT VOLTAGE (REDUNDANT VOLTAGE)

39 V dc typical

CONSUMPTION (PER NON-FAULT-TOLERANT 

MODULE)

15 W, maximum

Indicators

Red and green light-emitting diodes (LEDs) indicate 

operational status.

Internal Diagnostics

Self-checking performed at power-up. Runtime checks 

and watchdog timer function performed during 

operation.

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS(A)

Operating

TEMPERATURE

0 to 60°C (32 to 140°F)

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

5 to 95% (Noncondensing)

ALTITUDE

-300 to +3,000 m (-1,000 to +10,000 ft)

Environmental Contamination Level

Class G3 (Harsh) as defined in ISA Standard S71.04

Storage

TEMPERATURE

-40 to +70°C (-40 to +158°F)

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

5 to 95% (Noncondensing)

ALTITUDE

-300 to +12,000 m (-1,000 to +40,000 ft)

PSS 21H-1B3 B3

Page 11

(A) The environmental ranges can be extended by the type of enclosure containing the module. {Refer to the applicable Product 

Specification Sheet (PSS) which describes the specific enclosure that is to be used.}

PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Configuration

Single-width processor module. The fault- tolerant 

version consists of two single-width processor 

modules with two interconnecting buses (X-bus and 

Z-bus).

Mass (Maximum)

1.7 kg (3.75 lb) for a single, non-fault-tolerant module.

Mounting

May be placed in any of the following mounting 

structure slots:

– 1 X 8 Mounting Structure 

– Industrial Enclosures (IE16 and IE32), 

Structural Foam or Metal

– Field Enclosure 8, Structural Foam or Metal 

In the fault-tolerant version, the two modules must be 

mounted in adjacent mounting structure slots with the 

two interconnecting buses.