HONEYWELL Experion Local Control Network

HONEYWELL Experion Local Control Network

In the field of process control, Honeywell's Local Control Network (LCN), as a classic control network architecture, has been running globally for decades. With the evolution of industrial network technology, Honeywell has launched the Expert Local Control Network (ELCN), which migrates classic LCN systems to modern Fault Tolerant Ethernet (FTE) platforms, enabling users to efficiently upgrade and extend the system's lifecycle while retaining existing control strategies, field wiring, historical data, and graphical interfaces. This article will provide a comprehensive and in-depth professional interpretation of ELCN's system architecture, hardware platform, migration strategy, capacity limitations, and compliance certification.

Product positioning and technical background

Expert LCN is a fault-tolerant Ethernet version of the classic coaxial cable LCN. Its core goal is to support the gradual and lossless migration of LCN nodes to ELCN nodes. During this process, the node numbers, logical roles, control strategies, and application functions of the original LCN system remain unchanged, and users can complete the system upgrade in stages without affecting production operations.

The ELCN system consists of two main components:

ELCN Bridge: As a communication bridge between classic LCN and ELCN, it achieves bidirectional conversion between LCN messages and Ethernet messages. Bridges must be deployed in the form of redundant pairs.

ELCN node: an upgraded LCN node with a hardware platform of Universal Embedded Appliance (UEA) or virtual machine, running the same functional image as the original LCN node, communicating through FTE network, and no longer relying on coaxial cables.

After all LCN nodes have completed the upgrade, the ELCN bridge can be removed as the final step and its hardware can be reused as a spare.

System architecture and node types

1. Overview of overall architecture

The core feature of the ELCN system architecture is the mixed coexistence of LCN and FTE. In the initial stage of migration, redundant ELCN bridges simultaneously connect the classic LCN coaxial network and ELCN's FTE network to achieve dual network interconnection. The original LCN nodes (such as NIM, AM, EPLCG, EHB, NG, etc.) are gradually replaced with ELCN nodes based on UEA or virtual machines, while the original Windows based nodes (ESVT, ES-T, ACE-T, E-APP) are migrated to virtualization platforms or bare metal PCs.

2. ELCN Node Types and Platforms

ELCN nodes can be classified into the following categories based on their functions and platforms:

Node Type Platform Description

ELCN bridge UEA (hardware) redundant deployment, connecting LCN and FTE

ESVT (Expert Server TPS) virtual machine/x86 server running Windows Server 2016

ES-T (Expert Station TPS) virtual machine/x86 server running Windows 10 or Server 2016

ACE-T (Application Control Environment) virtual machine/x86 server running Windows Server 2016

E-APP (Expert Application Platform) virtual machine/x86 server running Windows Server 2016

HM (History Module) virtual machine/x86 server running Windows Server 2016

ENIM (Enhanced Network Interface Module) UEA/Virtual Machine replaces traditional NIM

AM (Application Module) UEA/virtual machine supports redundant configuration

EPLCG (Enhanced Programmable Logic Controller Gateway) UEA/Virtual Machine * replaces traditional PLC gateway

EHB (Expert Hiway Bridge) UEA/Virtual Machine Connection C300 Controller

NG (Network Gateway) UEA connects to Plant Information Network (PIN)

*Note: Virtual EPLCG is only used for engineering platforms (Open VEP) and does not support production environments.

Detailed explanation of hardware for general embedded devices

The Universal Embedded Device (UEA) is the core hardware platform of the ELCN system, which adopts a 1U high, 19 inch rack mounted design and supports dual module parallel installation. UEA consists of two main sub components:

1. Processor Module

Located at the front end, it includes a processor, user interface display screen, button controls, power supply, and fan.

Provide a 4-line x 20 character LCD display screen for status display and configuration.

Equipped with a five key navigation control (four directional keys+confirm key) and a three position key switch:

Location C: Configuration mode, allowing device configuration and restart

R1 position: Operation mode 1, read-only control

R2 position: Operation mode 2, read-write control

Front panel LED indicator light:

Green: Power supply is normal

Red: Fault

Amber: Warning

Green: Normal operation

Blue: Not configured or not loaded status

2. Termination Assembly

Located at the backend, providing all external cable connection interfaces, including:

Ethernet ports: 5 (2 uplink, 2 downlink, 1 redundant link), all 100Mbps, RJ45 interface, supporting automatic crossover

MAU interface: 2 Mini D-type interfaces for connecting media access units (MAUs) of LCN coaxial cables

Diagnostic LED: Each port is equipped with a link/activity indicator light (green) and a rate indicator light (yellow)

For the terminal components of EPLCG models, the port configuration varies:

2 Ethernet ports (FTE A and FTE B)

2 isolated RS-232 field ports (for PLC serial communication)

1 non isolated RS-232 port (for protocol selection)

1 RS-422 port (for redundant communication)

System capacity and node limitations

The ELCN system takes into account both the node limitations of classical LCN and the scalability of FTE networks in capacity design. The specific restrictions are as follows:

Parameter limitation explanation

The number of ELCN bridge redundancy pairs for each LCN/ELCN must be 1 redundancy pair

The maximum number of nodes per LCN/ELCN (without LCN extenders) is 64 ELCN bridges, not included in the total count

The maximum number of nodes per LCN/ELCN (with LCN extenders) is 96 ELCN bridges, not included in the total count

The maximum number of nodes per coaxial LCN segment is 40 ELCN bridges included in the total count (+2)

The maximum ES-T quantity for each ESVT cluster is 30 * and specific conditions must be met (see below for details)

The maximum number of ES-T+ES-CE per ESVT cluster is 30-

The maximum number of ES-T+ES-CE+ES-F per ESVT cluster is 40-

The maximum number of NG per LCN is 2, with one primary and one backup

The maximum NG quantity per PIN is 63-

Regarding the support conditions for 30 ES-T models (starting from Expert R501.6/TPN R688.3):

The system must not include a C300 controller (i.e. no EHB or ELMM based on C300)

It is necessary to ensure that the load of data owners (such as ENIM, AM) does not exceed the limit

When migrating GUS/US to ES-T, no additional display load should be added

If configuring the ELCN System Management Dashboard, it is recommended that the number of ES-T not exceed 20 to avoid excessive PARSEC load

System software requirements

The software environment of the ELCN system must meet the following minimum version requirements:

Minimum version of software components

Honeywell Expert R501.4 (or higher)

Honeywell TPN/LCN R688.1 (or higher)

ES-T operating system Windows 10 or Windows Server 2016

ESVT/ACE-T/E-APP/HM operating system Windows Server 2016

In addition, the following preparations must be completed before deploying the ELCN bridge:

Configure the basic IP address for Expert ion

Enable BOOTP Server service on ESVT server

Configure NCF clock on ESVT server

Migration Strategy and Functional Features

1. Migration process

Deploy redundant ELCN bridges: Configure a pair of UEAs as bridges to connect the classic LCN coaxial network with the FTE network.

Gradually migrate nodes: Convert each type of node (Windows node, K4LCN node) on the LCN to an ELCN node one by one. Windows nodes can choose virtualization or bare metal upgrade; K4LCN nodes (such as ENIM, AM, EHB, NG) are replaced with UEA hardware or virtual machines.

Final removal of bridge: After all LCN nodes have completed migration, remove the ELCN bridge and its hardware can be reused as spare parts.

2. Functional characteristics

Protocol Transparent Transmission: The ELCN bridge transparently transmits LCN protocol traffic between LCN and FTE, supporting physical address filtering and rate limiting to prevent network congestion.

Node seamless switching: During the migration process, the logical node number of the node remains unchanged, and the LCN data objects created by the original user (such as checkpoints, display objects, CL/AM objects) can run on the new platform without recompiling or refactoring.

Redundant design: ELCN bridges are deployed in the form of redundant pairs, and any bridge can take over the role of the main device; Redundant UEAs are connected through dedicated redundant port cables.

Security control: The UEA platform provides key switch and password protection to prevent unauthorized configuration modifications.

Model and spare parts

1. New system model

Model Description

EH-LCN1001 1 ELCN bridge (including 1 pair of MAUs and 1 rack)

EH-LCN2002 2 ELCN bridges (including 2 pairs of MAUs and 1 rack)

EH-LCN1101 1 ELCN node and 1 rack

EH-LCN2102 2 2 ELCN nodes and 1 rack

EP-LCN001/005/010 ELCN Usage License (Nodes 1, 5, 10)

EP-LCNV01/V05/V10 ELCN Virtual Device Usage License

TC-LNIM10/20 ENIM Single/Redundant Usage License

TC-LHM010 HM Usage License

TC-LAM010/020 AM Single/Redundant Usage License

TC-LHB010 EHB Usage License

TC-LNG010 NG Usage License

TC-LPLG10/20 EPLCG Single/Redundant Usage License

2. Upgrade kit

Model Description

EH-ZLCN11 upgraded to 1 ELCN bridge (including 1 pair of MAUs and 1 rack)

EH-ZLCN21 upgraded to 2 ELCN bridges (including 2 pairs of MAUs and 1 rack)

EH-ZLCN12 upgraded to 1 ELCN node and 1 rack

EH-ZLCN22 upgraded to 2 ELCN nodes and 1 rack

EP-ZLCN01/05/10 Upgrade to ELCN License

EP-ZLCV01/V05/V10 upgraded to ELCN virtual device usage license

3. On site replaceable spare parts

Component part number description

UEA processor module 51454832-100 core computing unit

UEA terminal component (bridge/ENIM/AM/EHB/NG) 51454833-100 provides communication interface

UEA Terminal Component (EPLCG) 51454991-100 provides PLC communication interface

MAU cable (yellow/green) 51307692-100/-200 LCN coaxial signal conversion

UEA 19 inch rack 51454831-100 dual slot mounting bracket

UEA processor key 51307732-200 three position key switch

Summary of Technical Specifications

Parameter specifications

Processor XILINX XC7Z020-1CLG4001

1GB DDR3 SDRAM memory

256MB NOR FLASH flash memory

Input voltage 90-264 VAC, 47-63 Hz

Power consumption 12W (@ 80% efficiency)

Heat dissipation of 9W (@ 80% efficiency)

Working temperature (inside the cabinet) 0 ° C to 70 ° C

Working temperature (outside the cabinet) 0 ° C to 50 ° C

Storage temperature -40 ° C to 80 ° C

Working humidity 10-90% (non condensing)

Storage humidity 5-95% (non condensing)

The highest working altitude is 7500 feet

The maximum length of copper cable is 100 meters

Maximum fiber length of 2 kilometers (requires SFP port support)

Network Type Fault Tolerant Ethernet (FTE)

Data rate 100 Mbit/s (100Base-T)

Corrosive environment G4 (severe)

Compliance certification

ELCN products comply with the following international and regional standards:

CE certification:

Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU, compliant with IEC/EN 61010-1, IEC/EN 61010-2-201

EMC Directive 2014/30/EU, compliant with IEC/EN 61326-1

North American certification:

cCSAus：CAN/CSA-C22.2 No.61010-1、IEC/EN 61010-2-201

Korean Certification (KCC):

Compliant with KN 61326-1 electromagnetic compatibility standard

Important note: The above certification applies to the product itself, but the compliance of the final integrated system needs to be jointly evaluated and confirmed by the system owner and the local regulatory authority (AHJ). The equipment must be installed in a cabinet that meets environmental requirements and local regulations.