What's New in Control Architect Release 24.10.0 - {March 8, 2024}
Enhanced Control Conversion Support
- Scada Control Conversion binding now supports binding to STATETXT0-7 to form the required Scada Status ‘STATEDES’ parameter value.
- PKS Control Module duplication function now supports changing BlockName values such may be the case where I/O Channel blocks are renamed to match the Instrument device.
MongoDB Server upgrade to version 6.0.10
The installed Mongo Server is upgraded to a more recent version during installation.
MongoDB Database Packaging now supports Mongo Atlas Cloud hosts
MongoDB Database packaging is now supported for all remote server applications including the Mongo Atlas Cloud server.
Export Wizard now supports integration to Honeywell TPS Builder
Supports exporting of specific container structure and parameter data. This function is intended for those customers that use TPS Builder for maintaining control systems developed using hierarchical folders and containing modules.
Other Enhancements
View the detail release notes for specifics on other new functions and enhancements.
Defect Removal
Many defects reported by others and found during testing and Control System project usage have been removed. View the detail release notes for specifics on defect fixes as well as new functions and enhancements.
What's New in Control Architect Release 23.30.0 - {August 28, 2023}
Enhanced Control Conversion Support
- When copying data from the Data Collection view 'New' item parameter data is now copied regardless of whether the data was imported. Previously only existing item data was being copied to the Windows clipboard or the user had to first import then launch the saved Collection View to copy all parameter data.
- Added support for Parameter names that start with a '$' character as typically found in LCN node parameters. This allows us to reference this type of a parameter in a control binding script using the special format of "__DLYOPT" where the actual xPM Parameter name is "$DLYOPT".
- A Bulk Edit generation function has been added to the Data Collection view that allows a user to generate a PKS Control Builder "Bulk Edit" compliant data set that can be copied into the Windows clipboard and pasted into an XLS excel file type. This allows users to quickly update Control Builder strategies with modified Parameter data.
- Use of the Import Wizard to generate a Parameter list from a Cxxx, Scada, or EB export configuration file has been enhanced to lookup parameters from an installed list to determine if their type should be an Integer or a Double type. It was not possible to determine if for example PVEUHI = 100 would be an Integer or a Double value, but now a list of common double type parameters is installed that is read to assist in
Other Enhancements
View the detail release notes for specifics on other new functions and enhancements.
Defect Removal
Many defects reported by others and found during testing and Control System project usage have been removed. View the detail release notes for specifics on defect fixes as well as new functions and enhancements.
What's New in Control Architect Release 23.11.0 - {March 10, 2023}
Enhanced TPS Builder synchronization during Import
During import ‘Custom’ and ‘Identification’ Parameters are now imported to the generated configuration Control Module entity.
Enhanced Control Conversion Functions
Enhanced the Control Conversion for SCADA type generation to support the “BLOCK_DELETE” command being used in a ‘NAME’ Control Binding expression. If the expression evaluates to “BLOCK_DELETE” then the Entity will not be generated.
A new function named “ExistsInColumn” was added. This function is used to execute a query on the specified Worksheet in the Excel Workbook that contains the data being processed. It will lookup and try to find the specified value in the specified column. This function will return ‘True’ if the specified query statement results in a data item being found. This function can be referenced when developing a Control Binding expression.
Enhanced Data View Data Export function
Enhanced the Data View data export function.
• UI navigation and content has been changed to reduce complexity in choosing the parameter scopes to export.
• The default Parameter scope is now defaulted to “Embedded Params”, which provides access to all parameters available for a particular Entity or Control Module.
• Parameter list file paths are now saved to a Most Recently Used (MRU) list that is saved between sessions. When clicking the drop-down menu button any previous used Parameter list files will be available as a menu item to choose vs having to browse for the file path.
• There is now an option to exclude the containing Control Module params for SCADA & LCN types. Using this option will now export a single row of data for these template types.
New Configuration Data View Report
Generates a report that includes all external references to an Entity. This report data is copied to the Windows Clipboard for pasting into an Excel Worksheet. External references that are reported include I/O Modules, Graphics, Application Source code { LCN CL, CDA CAB }, other Control Strategy Parameter references, etc.
Other Enhancements
View the detail release notes for specifics on other new functions and enhancements.
Defect Removal
Many defects reported by others and found during testing and Control System project usage have been removed. View the detail release notes for specifics on defect fixes as well as new functions and enhancements.
What's New in Control Architect Release 22.41.0 - {December 8, 2022}
Enhanced Comparison Report Export
Enhanced Comparison Report exporting to Excel function such that Excel sheets [NewEntities] and [DeletedEntities] are now created.
• The sheet data also now includes the Entity description.
• When viewing a previously saved Comparison report you did not have the option to export this to Excel. Exporting to Excel is now supported.
MongoDB Server upgrade to version 5.0.12
The installed Mongo Server is upgraded to a more recent version during installation.
Enhanced Data View Data Export function
Enhanced the Data View data export function.
• UI navigation and content has been changed to reduce complexity in choosing the parameter scopes to export.
• The default Parameter scope is now defaulted to “Embedded Params”, which provides access to all parameters available for a particular Entity or Control Module.
• Parameter list file paths are now saved to a Most Recently Used (MRU) list that is saved between sessions. When clicking the drop-down menu button any previous used Parameter list files will be available as a menu item to choose vs having to browse for the file path.
• There is now an option to exclude the containing Control Module params for SCADA & LCN types. Using this option will now export a single row of data for these template types.
Other Enhancements
View the detail release notes for specifics on other new functions and enhancements.
Defect Removal
Many defects reported by others and found during testing and Control System project usage have been removed. View the detail release notes for specifics on defect fixes as well as new functions and enhancements.
What's New in Control Architect Release 22.30.1 { August 31, 2022 }
New Control Edge Support
Control Architect has now been validated for UOC Control Edge. Configuration Import and Views are fully supported for UOC controllers configured as a CEE Peer node.
MongoDB Server upgrade to version 4.4.1
The installed Mongo Server is upgraded to a more recent version during installation.
New Honeywell FSC (Safety Manager) Integration using Modbus PCDI/SCADA
Control Architect now fully supports integrating Safety Manager Modus configuration that utilizes Scada Modbus and PCDI. When importing Safety Manger exported configuration the references between Modbus and PCDI Alias addresses are fully resolved and displayed as connection references when viewing referenced strategies in their Chart views. References that cannot be resolved are indicated as errors during import, which in itself provides a validation to the addresses used in both your Scada and PCDI Channel blocks.
New Interlock Function Block View
A new Interlock Function Block view has been added to the Property View of a Function Block. This new view visualizes the internal Gate configuration.
Other Enhancements
View the detail release notes for specifics on other new functions and enhancements.
Defect Removal
Many defects reported by others and found during testing and Control System project usage have been removed. View the detail release notes for specifics on defect fixes as well as new functions and enhancements.
What's New in Control Architect Release 21.20.2 { May 1, 2021 }
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 21.20.2. Highlights of this release include new Triconex integration.
Honeywell users are now able to view, trace, validate, and debug Modbus connectivity to and from the DCS Parameter connection through to the Triconex Program logic without having to deal with Modbus mapping calculations and without having to view the Program logic in the native TriStation application.
• Full Triconex integration including PKS PCDI, SCADA, LCN DHP, SM, PLCG
• View, trace and debug Modbus connectivity from the Triconex program source to the DCS data point parameter connection
• Validate existing Modbus connectivity during import of TriStation Triconex project data sets
• PLC Program Logic View allows users to view and navigate Triconex Program logic.
What's New in Control Architect Release 21.11.1 { March 2, 2021 }
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 21.11.1. Highlights of this release include new Chart View DSA navigation functions.
Refactored Configuration Views to support more grouping options and additional HMIWeb Graphic data
DSA support has been added to allow users to navigate DSA references between Database:Collection snapshots
Enhanced PKS Configuration import to support auto-copy of assets from older Collections.
Enhanced diagnostic functions for the MongoDB Server
Upgraded installed MongoDB Server to 4.2
What's New in Control Architect Release 20.10.1 { January 20, 2020 }
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 20.10.1. Highlights of this release include new Chart View navigation functions.
Chart View block references to a graphic are now navigable to an HMIWeb View process graphic
Chart View external references now support single-click hyperlink referencing
Optimized Mongo Database connectivity
Improved Chart View rendering for PKS R430+ Visuals
Improved search access for text document views
HMIWeb Capture tool now supports generating PDF's to a single PDF book file.
What's New in Control Architect Release 19.21.1
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 19.21.1. Highlights of this release include a new Batch Print function.
Control Architect now supports the batch printing of configuration project documents including
Chart View
Optional CAB and CL Source
Optional SCM# Source
Optional LCN xPM Logic and Device Control Gates View
What's New in Control Architect Release 19.20.0
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 19.20.0. Highlights of this release include support for exporting Compare function data to Excel.
Compare function now supports exporting results data directly to Excel
Exported data is generated into multiple Worksheets in the Excel Workbook file that includes Parameters, Attributes and Connections
Control Architect has been validated for use in Mongo Enterprise Atlas Cloud installations.
What's New in Control Architect Release 19.10.3
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 19.10.3. Highlights of this release include support for importing PI & PHD History data.
Control Architect now supports the importing of PI & PHD data into a configuration project
History data is integrated into the configuration project Data View.
Control Architect versioning has changed to better reflect the calendar year that the version is released.
What's New in Control Architect Release 5.23.1
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 5.23.1. Highlights of this release include new R430+ SCM improved rendering.
Chart View now shows IOChannel Reference virtual reference parameter values in block surface
Chart View support for R430+ SCM visual rendering
SCM rendering for R430+ configuration projects is now closely aligned with the Control Builder SCM Chart View rendering
What's New in Control Architect Release 5.22.1
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 5.22.1. Highlights of this release include new Mongo Database packaging/unpacking and Multi-Solution View support.
Mongo Database Packaging/Unpacking
Users can now package up a connected Mongo Database for distribution and backup
Report View now has a new Search function
Users can search generated report content from within the Report View
New Multi-Solution View
Now supports multiple opened Solution workspace files
Multiple Solution views can be arranged as docked windows
Enhanced LCN Schematic Graphic parsing
What's New in Control Architect Release 5.21.0
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 5.21.0. Highlights of this release include enhancements to Control Graph options view redesign, Workspace Solution packaging/unpacking, Peer and Configuration Stats View data auto-save/restore.
Workspace Solution Packaging/Unpacking
Users can now package up existing Solution projects for deployment or backup
Control Graph Options view redesign
Organized options into most used vs. advanced options
Control Conversion Enhancements
Improved workflow to provide a more intuitive flow of data and commands
Peer Map and Configuration Stats View Enhancements
Peer Map and Configuration Stats view results data is now saved to configuration database for auto-recall on next view usage
What's New in Control Architect Release 5.20.1
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 5.20.1. Highlights of this release include major enhancements to configuration views, Control Graph, Control Conversion, and Mongo Server database authentication.
Improved PKS R430+ Chart View rendering
PKS Asset Model view is now supported
Exported PKS Assets are now supported during Import as an additional import source reference
PKS Alarm Groups are now supported and integrated into Data View
Exported PKS Alarm Groups are now supported during Import as an additional import source reference
Safety Manager FSC CDA support has been added
Exported Safety Manager configuration as Excel file types is now supported
Mongo Server integration now supports authentication
Users can lock down their databases by optionally applying authentication
Chart View enhancements
Enhanced support for IOChannel Reference and PM I/O Channel blocks
Control Conversion enhancements
Support for duplicate Entity names in the Primary Key column
New <CPREF...> custom parameter reference type that allows the user to specify the <CPREF... format in Excel dynamically
Control Conversion Solution Packaging/Unpacking
Users can now package up a Solution Workspace that includes all project file references
Users can unpack a previously saved package that will restore all file content and resolve all internal file references
Control Graph enhancements
control graph is now viewed in a window vs. popup
supports Graphic references
view block parameters
saving view state
copy to Clipboard
Undo/Redo support
User defined connection stroke colors
Configuration views Peer Map and Stats View auto save & restore
Generating Peer maps and configuration statistics can often take several minutes depending on the size of the project. The Peer Map and Stats state data is now auto-saved and restored to the configuration project database. If the configuration changes due to additional imports, the user can optionally regenerate the state data.
LCN DX file import for building references to LCN Schematics
LCN Native Window supports exporting graphics as a DX text file type that can now be imported. The import processes the DX files and builds HMIWeb equivalent assets that allows for importing of LCN Schematic images to associate and view and provides for graphic relationships to optionally be viewed in a Control Graph view.
New Advanced Query function for Configuration Data view filtering
Allows users to define complex queries using an Excel like filtering interface to filter the Data view content
What's New in Control Architect Release 4.30.0
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 4.30.0. Highlights of this release include full 64-bit application build, qualified for Win10 install, scalable document Server database technology for importing of configuration documents.
Control Architect is now 64 bit and fully supports Windows 10 installation
Control Architect now fully supports integration with MongoDB Document Server technology
A new Server Maintenance view has been developed to allow users to administer their MongoDB Server database
Control Architect now supports an integrated Report View that supports report generation for supported view functions
HMIWeb View has been enhanced significantly for analysis and reporting
Reporting is integrated with the HMIWeb Graphic View and the Control Architect Rule Authoring application
The CA Rule Author now supports an HTML editor for documenting Rule Sets that are executed in PolicyCop for validation of configuration
A new HMIWeb graphic capture tool has been developed to allow users to document the WYSIWYG rendering from Honeywell HMIWeb Display Builder
Control Conversion activities now support Honeywell Win7 TPS Builder
A new Compare View has been developed that allows users to compare Project Collections (snapshots) to view changes that have been made between versions
What's New in Control Architect Release 3.20.0
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 3.20.0. Highlights of this release include support for importing Control Strategies into the new Honeywell Win7 TPS Bulder.
A new Manifest Viewer has been added to the Configuration Data View
OPCI References are now supported
Integration for importing Control Strategy data into TPS Builder is now complete
IOM Slot usage data for LCN xPM projects is now generated for copy/paste to Excel
New Chart View enhancements include
New Window style for viewing Block properties and Code
Chart View print to PDF
Chart View copy as Bitmap to Windows Clipboard
Keyboard Ctrl+E to toggle visibility of all Expression type Function Block views.
Added an *OVERFLOW* pin connector to Function blocks that have more External References than the block size will support.
Added new grouping option to the Configuration Data View to allow grouping on Containment relationship
What's New In Control Architect Release 3.10.0
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 3.10.0. Highlights of this release include enhancements to Configuration views.
Duplicating Control Modules for a PKS project is now supported in the Configuration Data View
NonCEE type Parameter references {TPN, SCADA) are now visualized in the Chart View using WaterMark text and user specified color for pin connections
What's New in Control Architect Release 2.30.0
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 2.30.0. Highlights of this release include enhancements to Control Graph and the Peer Analysis & VIew.
Control Graph now supports colored grouped layers when delving deeper into Control Strategy relationships
The Peer analysis and View now support PCDI Master blocks when analyzing for Peer references in a PKS CEE type project
A new Stats View tab has been added to the Configuration views that analyzes and displays Function Block or Template usage in a project.
What's New in Control Architect Release 2.20.0
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 2.20.000. Highlights of this release include support for multiple views, which supports unlimited Chart views and advanced layout & docking features.
Multiple views were introduced in release R2.20, which supports unlimited Chart views and advanced layout & docking,
The Chart View visuals have been enhanced significantly to show more visual cues
Template defined Parameters and Connections are now shown with a user defined color to indicate Template Defined status.
ToolTips have been added to connections and blocks to show their information.
Graphical connections are highlighted when your mouse is hovered over the shape allowing for easier identification of source and target in complex modules.
SCM/RCM expressions now support hyperlink navigation.
Chart view rendering of RCM type modules is now fully supported.
The generated SCM# code includes Phase block formula parameters when writing the Phase block code equivalent.
A new XPM Logic point view has been added to show internal Logic gate connectivity.
The HMIWeb view now supports copy/paste of Controller usage statistics to Excel.
Data view filtering has been enhanced to support the use of the “[]” character set to identify specific characters or ranges of characters.
Control Conversion now supports bulk build/edit of PKS SCADA type entities.
Control Conversion now supports bulk build/edit of LCN type entities.
Control Graph has been enhanced significantly
Data flow connection arrows now indicate the use of the parameter as a read or write.
LCN type Control graphs have their Vertex blocks styled different than the PKS types to show information related to their embedded block that represents the LCN entity.
What's New in Control Architect Release 2.10.0
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 2.10.000. Highlights of this release include support for Honeywell LCN & SCADA Configuration views and a new Control Conversion Workflow for quickly generating Control Conversion project files.
Text file conversion tool to convert LCN and SCADA exported entities to XML Configuration files
Workflow for generating Control Conversion Template files for Bulk Build tasks
What's New in Control Architect Release 1.40.1
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 1.40.100. Highlights of this release include Chart View optimization, PolicyCop enhancements, Control Graph enhancements, and new Policy validation rules.
Users can optionally choose to not load embedded Text type objects including Wordpad or Microsoft Word when viewing the Chart View of a Control Module.
PolicyCop now supports the ability to accept Rule violations for specific Control Module strategies and prevent further processing to eliminate repeated violations in the results.
PolicyCop now supports visual comparison of the last 2 project validations. This allows comparing versions of project configuration to view improvements in eliminating rule violations or new violations creeping into the project.
Control Graph was enhanced to:
Supports Parameter list viewing for Control Graph entities
Supports Control relationships list viewing
Supports delving deeper into a Control Strategy connection relationship by expanding/collapsing Entity nodes
Supports pinning of the visual graph to preserve contents when navigating within the Data View
Supports refresh to restore the visual graph to the original contents
Control Graph for Control Conversion (Honeywell Hiway Analysis) also supports:
Removal of selected Entity nodes
CL File duplication found during CL analysis is depicted on the Entity Vertex node surface using a warning image type.
New Policy validation rules were developed for the following functions:
FlowComp Function Block
SignalSel Function Block
Fieldbus Devices
Ability to validate configured ParentAsset or device AssocAsset values against the PKS Server or EMDB Server Asset Model.
What's New in Control Architect Release 1.30.1
New features and improvements available in Control Architect Release 1.30.100. Highlights of this release include support for Honeywell legacy Hiway conversion to PKS C300, enhanced Chart View visuals for projected parameter usage and embedded Template modules, enhanced SCM# View navigation, enhanced filter functions, and PolicyCop rule API support to allow validation of HMIWeb Process graphic references.
Honeywell Hiway conversion to C300
Enhanced Chart View visuals
Enhanced SCM# View navigation
Enhanced filtering functions
PolicyCop API support for HMIWeb
Honeywell Hiway conversion to C300
Honeywell legacy Hiway data point conversion to PKS C300 Control Module strategies is now supported through the Control Conversion Activity within Control Architect.
You can now convert all your existing Hiway CB/EC/MC and PIU data point configuration to CEE resident Control Module strategies.
Enhanced Chart View visuals
Embedded Template Control modules are now displayed in separate Tab items on the Control Module ChartView when detected. Projected parameters are identified with unique visual cues. Info ToolTips have been added to all parameter reference connections to show entity identification.
Enhanced SCM# View navigation
Enhanced SCM# View to provide advanced navigation and visual functions. Visual representation of SCM blocks is now visible within the SCM# view. Info ToolTips have been added to show entity identification including alias instances.
Enhanced filtering functions
Filter functions have been enhanced to support wildcard characters {! * ?} in various view types.
PolicyCop API support for HMIWeb
PolicyCop validation now supports validation of the associated Process Graphic reference. During validation the referenced Process Graphic will be validated as to whether it contains a reference to a parameter in the Control Module. Referenced graphic names are also verified for existence. Group and Trend display configuration is also validated for valid entries and duplication.
