EMERSONInformation and Control Systems Platform

Background

The Information and Control (I&C) Systems 

Platform is a non-safety distributed computer 

system for Category B and Category C 

applications. The platform has been applied in 

numerous nuclear retrofit projects, and is the 

standard basis for non-safety related nuclear 

I&C systems in Westinghouse new-build 

projects worldwide. 

The overall platform includes integral 

resources for both control and plant computer 

functions, thus eliminating the need for 

these to be separate systems. The basic 

architecture is flexible for use with small 

stand-alone systems to full-scale plant 

systems, expanding easily for future phased 

system upgrades.

Description

Input/output Modules – Modular industrial grade 

I/O requiring no special handling, user addressing or 

configuration. Up to 128 modules per controller of analog, 

discrete, digital bus and special turbine-related I/O is available, 

including advanced fault diagnostics and channel isolation.

• Workstations – Operator/engineering workstations 

(Windows® PC-based) feature high-resolution display of 

control/monitoring graphics, diagnostics, trending, alarms 

and plant-status information with easy-to-use engineering 

and configuration tools. The engineering station contains 

a fully embedded relational database management system 

storing configuration, process-point information and control 

algorithm information. System and point data (including 

user-defined fields) can be imported via user-friendly database 

tools (e.g. Access or Excel).

• Historian – Scalable mass storage and retrieval of process data, 

alarms, sequence of events (SOE), logs and operator actions for 

5,000 to 100,000 point values. Presentation capabilities include 

data queries, historical trending and SOE Reports. A bundled 

reporting package allows for scheduled and triggered reports 

to operators, engineers and maintenance personnel.

• Connectivity Servers – Open system interfaces (ODBC, 

NetDDE, OPC) provide innovative technology for securely 

transporting real-time or historical process data directly to a 

user desktop for critical analysis of plant performance data. 

Data link interfaces to third-party devices and protocols such 

as Modbus, Allen-Bradley, GE Mark V/VI, RTP I/O, Toshiba 

and MHI are also supported.

Westinghouse has designed and engineered several 

additional system components that complement and extend 

the Ovation product line to provide monitoring and plant 

computer functionality, enhanced security, and integration 

of safety and non-safety platforms specifically for the 

nuclear power industry.

• Application Server – Redundant application servers execute 

complex calculations and monitoring from a robust Nuclear 

Applications Programs (NAP) library and data link interfaces 

with external plant systems. Standard, pre-tested function 

blocks based on IEC 61499/61131 standards significantly lower 

development and testing time. Custom sub-applications can 

also be created.

• Cyber Security – Westinghouse is leading the cyber security 

assessment and compliance activities in the industry in 

conjunction with the new AP1000TM plants, advanced 

boiling water reactor (ABWR) and existing plants worldwide. 

Using cyber security assessments, communication-isolation 

techniques, physical security, cyber-secure networks and 

operating systems, and the Ovation product security, 

Westinghouse’s cyber security team provides practical, cybersecure solutions.

• Advant Ovation Interface (AOI) – A Gateway server connects 

each safety division data network to the non-safety real-time 

data network, providing strict one-way flow of real-time safety 

system data for display and control. Data flow is strictly one 

way from the safety to the non-safety subsystem. 

Combining the superior high-speed performance and 

capacity of the widely used Ovation product line with broad 

nuclear application experience and system integration 

components, the Westinghouse I&C platform provides 

a flexible and upgradeable system that addresses both 

operating and new plant requirements

The platform is based on the Emerson Ovation® 

product line and also integrates key components 

developed by Westinghouse for nuclear I&C 

applications. As a distributed process control, 

information and data management system, 

Ovation offers a powerful, flexible and opensystem architecture, supported with field-proven, 

industry-standard hardware, software, networking 

and communications components. The extended 

components support plant computer, monitoring and 

various system-interface applications to meet nuclear 

industry requirements.

Benefits

The I&C system platform presents true open 

computing, allowing users to achieve higher 

plant availability, reliability, efficiency, safety and 

environmental compliance.

Extensive system benefits are realized through the key 

elements of the Ovation product.

• Network – A standards-compliant, fully redundant, highspeed Ethernet network using commercial hardware, 

and copper or fiber cabling. Each originating drop 

periodically broadcasts point value and status at the 

appropriate frequency.

• Controller – Each fully redundant PC-based controller 

interfaces to the I/O subsystem, performs data 

acquisition, and executes simple or complex modulating 

and sequential control strategies (up to 32,000 process 

points per controller).