PU517

ABB PU517 Real-Time Accelerator (RTA) Board / Processor Module

Product Description

The ABB PU517 is a crucial processor board developed by ABB for their Advant OCS (Open Control System), a widely used Distributed Control System (DCS) in various industrial processes. It’s often found within the Advant Station 500 series Engineering Stations, which are typically UNIX-based workstations (e.g., running HP-UX).

This module functions as a Real-Time Accelerator (RTA) board. Its primary purpose is to enhance the real-time performance and processing capabilities of the engineering station. It does this by offloading specific time-critical tasks, such as high-speed data acquisition, communication management, and potentially parts of complex control algorithms, from the workstation’s main CPU. This specialization helps in achieving faster response times and more efficient operation of the overall control system.

The PU517 often includes communication interfaces for ABB’s proprietary process control networks, like MasterBus 300 (MB300), enabling high-speed data exchange with controllers, I/O units, and other operator stations within the Advant OCS architecture. As part of a legacy but robust system, the PU517 is essential for maintaining and sometimes upgrading existing Advant OCS installations.