In-depth

Jet Switch Viewer

Control

Within FT NavVision^®, every control request & command sent to the actuators is done by reading out the desired value in the dynamic data in a field.
When a user has the right to modify the current value (per switch or slider), the desired value will be updated and distributed across the network. The HMI now shows both the current and desired value: a pending request is visible.
Once the protocol controlling this value notices the change in the desired value, it will send the request to the device. If the current and desired value still differ after a protocol specific time, the request will be dropped and the instruments will show the current value.

The AMS System in all sectors offers remote control of equipment and platforms per OWS by setup. This remote AMS control can be both open-loop manual control, and closed-loop automatic control.
Local OWS control can also be offered in the form of Server, Client or Local Operating Panels (LOP) in any room necessary like engine- and switch rooms or other machinery spaces, but also in cabins and other specified spaces. This local OWS control can be both open-loop manual control, and closed-loop automatic control. Specified Local OWS control can override remote OWS control in case of requirement and specified location.

Local direct control can also be provided by the LOP’s. The different platform connecting components, like for main engine, gearbox, CPP etc. can be included in the scope of supply but will be mainly delivered directly by the platform supplier or manufacturer. Local direct control always overrules any other form of control via the AMS.

The FT NavVision^® OWS provides the operator with both open-loop and closed-loop control capabilities. In case of open-loop control, the operator bears the responsibility of achieving a desired state (for example filling of a ballast tank). The operator is the determining factor that closes the control loop. The operator will use the manual OWS control facilities to manipulate the platform components.
In case of closed-loop control, the AMS system bears the responsibility of achieving a required state. The operator is not an active part of the control loop, but will only monitor the behavior of the platform system. The operator will use the automatic AMS control facilities (if applicable) to manipulate the platform components.

Graceful degradation

Aforementioned aspects of the AMS system such as the redundancy, the multi-function and the multiple levels of controls contribute to the graceful degradation of the AMS in case of failure and/or damage. In such cases, the AMS will always offer the still available and remaining functionality (which is not affected by the damage), even when this results in only partially operating functions.

Built-In Test & diagnostics

The FT NavVision^® system offers a wide range of built-In test facilities for the hard- and software components. This means that when a fault is detected, the operator will be notified immediately. All client OWS’s and LOP’s can be switched off and on during the use of the system. The I/O modules are removable depending on the functionality of the platform.
PLC headstations that plug into the front of the PLC modules offer fast replacement. By simply giving in the correct MAC-address of the specific I/O headstation, the configuration will start automatically. As a troubleshooting aid, status indicators are provided on the front of modules for indication of fault status.

FT NavVision Alarm Viewer

Alarm

The Alarm presentation has the functionality to present the operator an overview of the existence of undesirable situations or faults in machinery and equipment, safety and control systems. In addition, this function administrates the alarm notifications. Information on alarms is entered into the alarm log with details of acknowledgments and alarm status.
Three states can be distinguished for the alarm presentation:

Non-rectified and unacknowledged
Rectified and unacknowledged
Non-rectified and acknowledged

Non-rectified alarm notifications are messages indicating an alarm condition that currently exists. Rectified alarm notifications are messages indicating a previously detected alarm condition that is no longer in effect because the system has recovered from the alarm condition.
Alarm notifications have to be acknowledged by an authorized operator at one of the stations allowed to control that specific alarm. Unacknowledged alarm notifications may be either non-rectified or rectified and may change from non-rectified to rectified while the alarm notification remains unacknowledged. Rectified and acknowledged alarms are automatically removed from the alarm presentation.
Alarms are handled almost the same as all other data. The data is sent across the complete network ten times a second where each individual LOP decides what to do with the alarm.
The actions done by a LOP following an alarm depend on the settings made for this LOP.

Each individual LOP has individual settings concerning access to:

Display of the status of alarms
Display of new alarms
Sounding a buzzer when new alarms arrive
Silencing alarms locally
Resetting alarms
Resetting timers

These rights are configured per group and per alarm stations.
For instance: when a navigation alarm arrives, the LOP checks if it has access to the relevant rights in the Navigation group and will act correspondingly.

User rights

FT NavVision^® handles control rights by using log-in credentials (username & password), and assigning rights to these credentials. These rights limit access to the system’s configuration, therefore ruling out any edits that may harm the system made by unauthorized crew-members.
Adding, editing and removing users, together with assigning their rights, can only be done by an administrator, i.e. a top-level user.

Upon delivery of the system, three basic user-roles are already present: Administrator, Operator and Guest. The administrator has all rights; the operator may alter display mode and/or units. Guests have no rights other than viewing the various viewers.
Logging in is required upon system start-up. After start-up, users can log off and in using the dedicated button on the taskbar.

Alarm Viewer Professional

On Duty

An engineer on duty can be selected on duty from the Allocation control button on the LOP. He will be warned when an alarm is present in one of the “unmanned” alarm groups. On the Cabin Alarm Panel of the engineer on duty, the on duty selection is indicated when selected. This can be by warning light and or on screen function.
The AMS alarm monitoring distinguishes two different modes of alarm monitoring: Attended and Unattended. The alarms will be distributed to all stations, servers clients, and LOP’s. However, they can only be controlled on the assigned stations.

In Attended mode, monitoring of alarms is done at the operator’s station-in-control. In Unattended mode the operator is not at the station-in-control, while making his round to the machinery spaces or doing routine maintenance in the engine rooms.

The Unattended mode can be activated on the workstation that has control over the AMS installation group. The activation of the unattended machinery space mode can be done only if all alarms of unmanned installation groups are acknowledged.

When an installation group is ‘unmanned’ in unattended mode new alarms are signaled on the Cabin Alarm Panel of the engineer on duty and on the Cabin Alarm Panel in the Mess-room. On the panels, the alarm sounding can be silenced (only local), but the alarms still need to be acknowledged on the station-in-control.
If alarms are not acknowledged within 6 minutes on the workstations-in-control, the General Engineer’s Alarm (GEA) is invoked, independent from the Attended/Unattended mode.

A Patrol Watch Alarm provides a safety timer for personal protection. The process is as follows:

The AMS detects when a person enters a machinery space via the key switch on the alarm entrance unit in the machinery space.
Each period of 30 minutes the person working alone in that space must reset the alarm timer to confirm his well-being. The reset command shall be given via the RESET button on the patrol watch control box in that machinery space. Each space has its own patrol watch timer.
After 27 minutes an audible or visual cue will be initiated by the system in the appropriate machinery space to prompt the engineer to reset the alarm timer.
If the RESET button is still not pressed within 3 minutes after the warning, a general alarm will sound on the cabin alarm panels.

Logging

To gain insight into the behavior and the performance of platform components, it is possible to record, for any period of time and with a certain sampling rate, the values derived from the output signals of platform components. Also, for 24 hours, first in first out trending allows the operator to directly chart any data available in the system.
The resulting data is written to comma separated files. These generated log-files are system-independent, meaning you can view them on any operating system with any program of choice. Users with sufficient rights are able to toggle logging, and decide where on the hard drive to store the log-files.
The logging interval can be set per value. This interval can range from once a second to once every two hours.

A separate logbook, or Log Viewer, viewable from within FT NavVision^®, is used for recording events that relate to FT NavVision^®’s inner workings, connections and alarms. The items listed below are the most common ones written to the Log Viewer.

Broken connection
Sensor out of order
High alarm
Too High alarm
Low alarm
Too Low alarm
Communication interrupted
Communication started

All information mentioned above is generated by the system automatically. Should you upgrade your software, the amount of recorded information grows along with it.

Embedded

Windows XP Embedded, commonly abbreviated “XPe”, is a stripped down version of the Professional edition of Windows XP. As it is based on Windows XP Professional, many features are inherited. Thanks to the shared API and binaries, existing off-the-shelf applications and drivers can be used with little or no porting required.
All PC systems delivered by Free Technics run on XPe, & only use the components that are truly needed for proper operation, thereby reducing operating system footprint and also reducing attack area as compared with XP Professional.
Some of the benefits of XPe systems, compared to standard XP or Vista systems:

Greatly increased stability: Much less processes that may fail
Virus-proof through read-only access: SSD reverts to original state after reboot
Small disk-space requirement: Inherently small footprint by leaving out unnecessary software
Fast boot-time: Less processes to start upon boot
Increased performance: Inner hardware has more time & space for vital processes
High energy efficiency: Lighter load on inner hardware means less power consumption.

Maintenance & RAS

Thanks to the system’s modular nature, replacing modules from and upgrading existing systems is performed with relative ease. More often than not, simply removing a defective module and replacing it with a new module is enough to restore the system to its full functionality. Configuration of the new module is performed within the FT NavVision^® software.
Upgrading a system with extra hardware components is performed with relative ease as well. After installing & connecting the device to the network (with converter, if need be), the technical engineer performs configuration and/or calibration of the device with the FT NavVision^® software. With these steps completed, the device’s data is now available for viewing on the FT NavVision^® OWS’s.
Software maintenance includes upgrading the software version installed on the PC systems and configuring the existing installation. Performing software maintenance on FT NavVision^® systems is done by inserting a (pre-configured by Free Technics) USB drive into the PC and rebooting. During the boot-sequence, the old files on the PC are overwritten with new versions from the USB drive.

There is another way of performing software maintenance: by using Remote Access Support (RAS). A RAS setup involves having a Free Technics supplied modem on board, an additional license and a mobile data contract.
Using the modem, the Free Technics office is able to connect to the FT NavVision^® system, regardless of its location on the globe. Upon connection, Free Technics takes over control of the PC, and takes the steps needed to complete this particular software maintenance job. Once the job is done, the connection is closed, and the vessel’s system is upgraded with minimal effort by the crew.
The modem itself is fitted with a SIM-card for transferring data over a mobile carrier’s network. This SIM card comes with a RAS-contract spanning one year, which can be extended at will.

Network

All OWS’s are connected to a redundant Ethernet Network and can be situated in machinery control rooms, bridges or in cabins and mess rooms. The Ethernet network is based on a redundant network topology, ruling out single points of failure as much as possible. The redundant Ethernet network with its I/O hardware collects the data via AMS servers and distributes all data to any clients to be used as a full OWS. The Ethernet network can also be used for additional functions, such as tCCTV over Ethernet and Video On Demand. A second, complementary Ethernet network will be installed in case of heavy duty applications, such as a load of IP cameras and video.

The OWS’s servers are connected to each other through the deterministic backbone Platform Data Network. The interfacing with the respective platform systems like generators, engines propulsion systems, auxiliary systems etc. runs trough I/O hardware like PLC, protocol converters and serial to LAN converters into the network called LPU’s. To be cost-effective and secure, a dedicated LPU or PLC is to be located close to these appropriate platform systems. All functions, such as Propulsion Control Panels, Power Management, analogue values etc. can be equipped with control and monitoring facilities within the system.
The OWS is a fully solid state and embedded software based control and monitoring station. Modifications or changes to OWS functionality are possible by configuration, software module adaptation or any updates if necessary.
All OWS’s can perform various roles (server, client or alarm panel), and are able to automatically switch roles when needed.

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