ExperTune's Software Releases

Pre-2005 Releases

This page covers software releases prior to 2005. For information on more recent releases, click here.

PID Tuner/Analyzer—March 2004

Tune and Analyze Data from Your Plant Historian

Use the historical plant data from your plant historian for optimization, analysis, and PID Tuning. PID Tuner, Advanced, now includes HDA, or Historical Data Access allowing you to view, analyze and tune data from any HDA source. (HDA is a standard from the OPC foundation that allows tools like ExperTune's to easily access the historian's data.)

Allows you to:

• Use historized data for PID Tuning and modeling. If operations has made set point changes or changes in manual previously, you can use this for test data. You will not have to bump the process.
• Comparison to previous times. For example, you may want to compare to 6 months ago. Run statistical analysis, and modeling to see how the plant has changed.

Use historized data from:

• OSI PI Historian
• Honeywell PHD
• AspenTech InfoPlus.21
• Invensys AIM*Historian
• Any historian supporting OPC HDA

New Tutorial Presentations in On-Line Help

Two presentations presentations have been added to on-line help. All presentations are run on your local machine. Your machine does not need a connection to the Internet or LAN.

• How to Tune for Both Setpoint Changes and Upsets Using a Set Point Filter
• How to Control A Process With Long Dead Time
• Which Tuning Method Should You Use?

PID Tuner/Analyzer—March 2003

Unfilter Your PV

If your process variable is filtered, the filter may be masking or hiding problems in the loop. Additionally, a filter could make the process much harder to control.

Now you can have ExperTune's Advanced PID Tuner automatically unfilter your data. With "Unfilter PV" checked, optimal PID Tuning and filter calculations are based on the true data. Even though you collected filtered data, you can also see the plot of the raw data by checking unfilter.

Two unfiltering options are available allowing you to remove the effects of PV filtering no matter where the filter is in your control system. The options are:

1. Filter time is automatically read and compensated for by PID tuner. In this option the filter time is read from an address in your controller. The data is automatically unfiltered (if you select "Unfilter PV")
2. Or enter the filter time used by your transmitter or control system.

Either option lets you see the result of unfiltering in the time response plot—see the raw, unfiltered data.

Modeling and PID Tuning Engine Improvements

Data Fitting Improved

The resultant frequency fit is now better on many loops. ExperTune PID Tuner is also more tolerant of poor test data.

Improved Test Data Checking

ExperTune PID Tuner always checks your test data before analyzing it. These checks have been enhanced to give better diagnostic messages, help links and an optional (local) 10 minute tutorial presentation on ways to get good test data for modeling, PID tuning and analysis.

New Tutorial Presentations in On-Line Help

Two presentations presentations have been added to on-line help. All presentations are run on your local machine. Your machine does not need a connection to the Internet or LAN.

• How to Set the Safety Factor
• Fast Test: How to Quickly Tune Slow Loops

PID Tuner/Analyzer—August 2002

Quickly Set Up Your Entire Plant for PID Tuning

Now you can quickly set up your entire plant for PID tuning and analysis for ExperTune's PID tuner. "What a big time-saver!!" George Buckbee, ExperTune.

One of the obstacles in tuning loops is connecting the analysis software to the plant's individual PID controllers. ExperTune makes this easy by using a smart wizard-based bulk import. The wizard has intelligence so that it polls the control system for most of the data needed.

The result is that ExperTune imports, from your database, only the information necessary for the wizard to set up your loop. The wizard reads as much information as possible from the process control computer. Optionally, you could enter loop addresses in Excel and direct the wizard to use the Excel file. Or you could run the Wizard individually on each loop.

Tutorial Presentations in On-Line Help

ExperTune PID Tuner software now includes a series of on-line tutorial presentations. Select these documentary style presentations when you would like to have your own personal presenter. The presenter will teach you a specific topic in process control. The presentations are all available through hot links in ExperTune's on-line help. Presentations include:

• How To Collect Plant Data For PID Tuning & Modeling
• The Best Sample Interval For Process Control
• Robustness Plots
• Comparison Of PID Controller Algorithms
• When To Use Derivative Action
• Choosing The Best Filter
• How to Linearize Your Process

New Process Modeling Selections

ExperTune identifies a process model using advanced frequency response methods. ExperTune software develops a high-fidelity model from a variety of data. Here are examples of data sets ExperTune software can use to identify the model:

• Open loop step
• Closed loop step (controller in automatic)
• Open loop pulse
• Closed loop pulse (controller in automatic)
• Pseudo random data
• Open loop doublet pulse

See a presentation on "Plant Data to Use For Modeling and PID Tuning."

ExperTune automatically chooses the best model structure for your process. Either:

• First order with dead time
• Second order with dead time
• Second order over-damped with dead time (Imaginary roots)
• Integrator with dead time

With ExperTune Advanced version, you can force ExperTune to use any one of these model structures.

New Power Spectral Density Additions

(Advanced only)

• Lists the 4 largest peak frequencies and their percent energy in the spectrum. The energy tells you how much this peak is contributing to the variability of your product. ExperTune now uses clusters of peaks reducing inaccuracies from leakage and sampling.
• Display frequency and percent energy on peaks in the zoom area only or the entire spectrum
• Optionally use the same chopping and windowing as PlantTriage. This option further decreases inherent errors in the spectrum.

Minor Additions

• Easily compare statistics between loops—normalized option for statistical analysis—normalizes all values between 0 and 100%
• More control of when PID tuning is calculated: De-select the tuning button causes timeplot to not re-tune while zooming.
• You can now add notes to each test in the Loop Summary Table, for example: "Fast Plant Test," "Bump down at full production rate," etc. Double-clicking a row brings up the data for that test.
• We have added a *NM* or "No Multiplier" option for the following PLC algorithms: Allen Bradley (Rockwell), GE, and Modicon PLCs. This option simplifies connection if your MMI or other software is converting the multipliers already.
• New Setup Wizards:
  • Mitsubishi MC2
  • Siemens APACS (Cascade)
  • Siemens PCS7
  • Valmet XDI Damatic via Klinkman
  • Complete list of setup Wizards

Tune-A-Fish Transformed to the World of OPC

ExperTune has converted Tune-a-Fish to use the more modern OPC interfaces. TiPS has provided a powerful new OPC server to PROVOX.

With the new TiPS OPC server, the Tune-a-Fish name is no longer needed and is discontinued. ExperTune's OPC PID Tuner replaces Tune-a-Fish and includes a PROVOX^® wizard designed to connect seamlessly to TiPS OPC server. Future upgrades and support for Tune-a-Fish users will be through ExperTune's OPC PID Tuner and TiPS OPC server.

The new ExperTune OPC connection and TiPS OPC server gives you much more capability than the older Tune-a-Fish, including:

• Ability to view multiple ExperTune faceplates at the same time. There is no limit to the number of faceplates or extra trends you can add.
• Ability to tune and optimize ANY DCS or controller including DeltaV^®
• Complete OPC server: Create an additional console from a PC or any other use.
• A server simulation to use in client tests and the ability to verify and diagnose controller communications from within the PROdirect interface.
• More cost effective than Fisher's OPC Server.
• ExperTune's OPC Tuner also gives you the ability to connect seamlessly with DeltaV^® and all other DCS and PLC systems.

The new TiPS OPC server, PROdirect, has replaced the older DDE server used by Tune-a-Fish.

PID Tuner/Analyzer Advanced—October 2001

Time Line Analysis

Use the Time Line Analysis to help understand the relationships between the time of each component in the control loop. For example, the sample interval should always be shorter than the dead time in the loop. If the sample interval is close to the dead time then shortening the sample interval will improve the performance of the loop.

After ExperTune software makes all the necessary conversions, the following time elements of your control loop are plotted on the time line:

Sample Interval Filter Time Derivative Time Dead Time

Equivalent Dead Time     (if a second order process) Integral Time Relative Response Time (RRT)

Time Evaluations
ExperTune evaluates the elements on the time line and reports to you. Green bars indicate OK. Yellow is caution and Red indicates you can make improvements that will significantly improve performance.

The following items are evaluated and checked.

• Sample Interval compared to Dead Time
• PV Filter compared to Controller Derivative Time
• Controller Derivative compared to Controller Integral Time
• PV Filter compared to Dead Time

As with all of ExperTune's analysis, with one click ExperTune creates a full report in Microsoft Word including the Time Line plot, all the items on it, and the comparison ratios. The report documents your loop for future records.

Performance Evaluation

In one glance you can now easily compare and evaluate the trade-offs in your control loop. (Advanced only) Quickly compare:

• Performance
• Robustness See the Robustness Presentation.
• Valve wear (travel and reversals)
• Relative response time (RRT)

Characterizer Enhancements (November 2001)

ExperTune software has been tested with Windows XP.

Auto-Adjust

If your process oscillates at one end of the range and is sluggish at the other, a characterizer may give your the optimal performance. ExperTune's characterizer, can help you linearize your process for the best loop performance at any production rate.

The characterizer is available in Advanced versions only. New Auto-Adjust button in the characterizer automatically moves all the red design points between the actual process characteristic.

Space out the red design points how you want and click the button to have them move up or down to the proper location.

Structured Text option

Now you can select structured text for the characterizer. Insert this into a block using structured text and your loop is linearized.

Many control loops are difficult to tune because they are non-linear. This means that the process gain changes as a function of the measurement or controller output. Without any linearization, the controller will need to be tuned for the condition when the process gain is the highest. This results in sluggish tuning everywhere else. Linearizing these loops will improve control since the controller will be better tuned over the complete operating range.

Minor Enhancements in Standard and Advanced

• Easier Technical Support Option—Select Technical Support and ExperTune software zips the appropriate files and emails them to ExperTune technical support for an engineer to analyze for you!
• Auto Scale Button on Faceplate—One click scales the PV and CO so you can quickly see small changes.
• View Archive from Loop Summary Table—(Advanced only). Click the View Archive button to see the zoomed in time data for currently selected line in the Loop Summary table.
• Data Spy Diagnostic Shows True Update Times—The data spy shows the time between updated PV and CO data. Now you can see if your control system is sending data at a fast enough rate.
• Sample Faster—Now in DDE and OPC packages you can sample as fast as 0.04 seconds (assuming your server can keep up).
• Bailey Interface Using Rovisys With Auto Fast Poll—(Advanced Only) If you are using Rovisys to connect to Bailey, ExperTune and the Rovisys driver work together to automatically fast poll when you see the ExperTune faceplate.
• Robustness tutorial available from Robustness Plot Help.
• Increased the extra trends to 64 (Advanced only)
• New Setup Wizards Added
  • Bailey (OPC)
  • Fisher Delta V
  • Foxboro I/A
  • Honeywell UDC3300
  • Siemens Procidia (Modbus or LIL)
  • Complete list of setup Wizards
• User Interface Improvements
  • Changing a trend color re-plots the entire trend with that color.
  • File | Open no longer goes directly to the setup window.
  • Faceplate display Spans, Colors, Decimals&hellep; now includes an alphabetized drop-down list to select the loop.
  • Blank OPC or DDE addresses now allowed.
  • Units added to the CO.
• Remembers PIDF— Now remembers the current PIDF parameters for each extra loop (Advanced only)

Updates—December 2000 release

Self-Adaptive Setup Wizards

ExperTune includes an extensive list of setup wizards to get you connected to your controller.

If there's not already a connection wizard in the list for your controller, ExperTune software automatically develops one for you the first time you connect to the controller.

Your first time connecting, answer the Wizard's detailed questions. When you have finished connecting your first loop, ExperTune will have created a Wizard making it super-easy to connect to more loops!

The wizards connect to your controller using your DDE or OPC server. DDE is Microsoft's Windows Dynamic Data Exchange built into 98, NT and 2000. OPC is OLE for Process Control. There are DDE or OPC servers for virtually all modern digital controllers.

ExperTune software has been tested with Windows 2000.

Easily Compare Stability From Several Tests

Loop Summary Table (Advanced versions only) now includes a Stability Index column. This lets you easily compare the relative stability of the PID tuning from several different sets of test data along with the PID values, process model, RRT, and Quality of fit.

More Tools for Level Loops

You can now direct ExperTune (Advanced versions only) to take the derivative of any signal. Used on a level loop this effectively cancels out the integrator in the level loop, allowing for simpler analysis of some aspects. For example, now you can do a hysteresis check on a level loop.

When you direct ExperTune to take the derivative, it automatically lets you select a filter so the effects of noise are minimized.

Minor Enhancements

• Now add as many modes as you want in addition to auto and manual. (With DDE and OPC connections).
• Most recently used file list. Makes it easy to bring up loops you recently worked with. (With DDE, OPC, and Tune-a-Fish)
• Safety factor now is only reset to 2.5 when you select a new archive or new loop. During zooming it remains where you set it.
• Loop Summary Table now is automatically added to the Full Tuning Report in MS Word. (advanced only)
• Power Spectral Density: You can now optionally plot cumulative power as a line on top of the power. (advanced only)
• You can manually set the X axis on the histogram (advanced only).
• You can now manually zoom on both the "Time Data For" window and in Power Spectral Density. (advanced only)
• Cursor on the "Time Data For" is now an arrow.

Standard Version Updates—July 2000 release

Remote OPC

Now your OPC Server can be on a different computer than the one running ExperTune. Start ExperTune on one machine and analyze and tune loops from any machine on the network! You don't need to remember any awkward mnemonic names. Simply browse the network for your OPC Server and browse the server for item names.

Wizards Make Connection Super-Easy

We've added more setup wizards so that connecting to common controllers is super-easy. A full set of Allen-Bradley wizards are now available in both the OPC and the DDE versions. ControlLogix is now supported. Just enter the Control Block address of your loop and ExperTune does the rest. Other setup wizards are already available for Moore, Bailey and Modicon. ExperTune still connects to any controller by simply entering the addresses manually.

ExperTune is easier than ever to use

ExperTune has added toolbars on the archived data plot and the simulation plot so you are only one click away from easily zooming, editing, averaging or filtering your real-time data. After you have archived data from your loop, you will want to tell ExperTune to zoom in and examine only parts of the data. Click once and your zoom window has started. Click twice and ExperTune completes the zoom. ExperTune's histogram, statistical analysis and full tuning report are only one click away. In the simulation, one click expands or shrinks the simulation time or changes the type of simulation. All ExperTune menus are now available as pop-ups with a right click or by double clicking.

One glance tells you if you're archiving.

Click the tape recorder to start "taping" or archiving. The tape moves when you're archiving. For an even more striking indication of archiving, you can set the trend background to be a different color for archiving.

Quickly try different safety factors or lambda times

You can now enter these values directly from the PID grid. If you feel your loop is reasonably well-behaved, then reduce the safety factor. ExperTune computes new PID values and your loop performance will be better. View the robustness plot to see the trade-off between faster response and sensitivity to process changes. Now it's easy to make the adjustment and see the effects, all from within the same window.

In advanced versions, adjusting the safety factor or lambda time changes the Relative Response Time (RRT) of your loop. Only available from ExperTune, RRT is a new cutting edge tool for decoupling interacting loops.

Minor additions

Timeplot cursor jumps to actual data values

The cursor on the Time Data For window now jumps to the actual data values. Makes viewing your historical data easier.

Quick Check of Data Quality

Hover the mouse over the analysis button and ExperTune's assessment of the reliability of the recommended tuning values pops up. The quantitative assessment ranges from excellent, through good and poor to questionable. The assessment helps you decide whether to use the recommended PID values or re-take the data.

Easily see PID Units

See the PID units for the loop you are using by hovering the mouse over the PID values.

You Choose Engineering Units Or Percentage

Engineering units display has been added to the trend graph and you can display the archived loop data in either percentage or engineering units.

Faceplate background color is configurable

The ExperTune faceplate background color is now configurable. Change the background to white if you want to print the graphs—you'll use less ink!

Flow Control 2001 Innovation Award winner for Valve Stiction Wizard

A sticking valve caused by friction within the valve can seriously degrade control loop performance. This phenomenon is called valve stiction. The more your valve suffers from stiction, the more your loop will oscillate around the setpoint.

An ExperTune wizard guides you through determining an exact measure of the stiction in your control loop. Anything more than 0.5% stiction and correcting the situation may dramatically reduce cycling and improve loop performance. The wizard will come up with a stiction value even in loops where noise is excessive.

Loop Summary Table Automatically Summarizes Your Tests

The Loop Summary table provides a concise way of quickly recording the results of several loop tests. From these tests it automatically:

• Selects the most conservative tuning values.
• Provides the average tuning values.

The table lists the results from your previous tests on the loop:

• PID values
• Model parameters
• Relative Response Time (RRT)
• Quality of frequency data fit

Filter Value Is Now Read and Is Also Downloadable

ExperTune finds the optimal filter value. Filtering your PV will reduces noise and jitteriness on the valve. It makes your valve last longer. However, too large a filter can significantly degrade performance. The best filter is the largest one possible that does not affect loop performance. ExperTune finds this optimal filter for you.

Now you can specify your filter address and ExperTune reads the current filter value from your controller. It is displayed next to the current PID values. After ExperTune has found the best filter for your process, click Download and the filter value is written to your controller. Supported in DDE, OPC and Tune-a-Fish communication options.

Performance Summary Window

Tuning is a compromise between performance, robustness and valve wear. You want to increase loop performance, but increasing performance can also reduce robustness and valve wear. ExperTune shows you all the performance indicators in one concise window. So you can view overall trade-offs at a glance.

The Performance Summary Window provides a concise listing of the:

• Performance Increase
• Robustness Increase
• Valve Travel Index
• Valve Reversal Index
• Relative Response Time (RRT) with Current and New Tunings

Dial in the robustness you want

It just couldn't be easier to get the best performance trade-off. Start with ExperTune's unique Robustness Plot that shows how sensitive your loop is to the process changing. Drag the plot with the mouse to set the sensitivity you want. The required PID values and all the ExperTune analysis windows, including the Performance Summary, update—instantly!

Reports Include Executive Explanation

Reports now include prose on each analysis item explaining its importance on loop health. Supply your supervisor or customer with a report and the explanation of each analysis item is included.

Easily connect to Honeywell Plantscape

An OPC setup wizard is now available for Honeywell Plantscape. It makes connecting to a Plantscape system super-easy. Simply enter the Control Module and the PID Block name and you are connected. ExperTune supports OPC connections to any controller having an OPC server by browsing for item names.

Improved Statistical Analysis and Histogram

ExperTune's statistical analysis window is now more comprehensive. Use the statistical analysis window to get a quantitative measure of loop performance before and after analysis and tuning. Existing performance indices include standard deviation and variability. Extra performance indices have been added:

• Actual valve travels and reversals
• IAE
• Variability index.
• IAE/time
• Valve reversals/time
• Valve travel/time.
• Select the time to be hours, day, week, month or year.

The histogram of your data now automatically appears next the statistical analysis window. The histogram also includes the standard bell shaped curve with lines for each sigma value. The histogram of the data and the statistical analysis window, viewed together, give a good insight into loop performance.

September 17, 1999

• You can add an extra trend in ExperTune's Faceplate. Lets you monitor and watch another variable in the same trend. With Advanced version or Tune-a-Fish add as many extra trends as you want.

• OPC
  OPC stands for OLE For Process Control. It is the new standard set by the OPC foundation for fast and easy connections to controllers.
  • Connect, tune, and analyze any controller with an OPC connection.
  • Setup window includes a fast test button.
• Multiple Faceplate Viewer
  
  • Launch multiple faceplates from one place.
  • Highlight and launches several at the same time.
  • Launches DDE, OPC, or Tune-a-Fish faceplates.
• Other Additions
  
  • Position the cursor on a real-time trend and a tool-tip window shows you the values.
  • Faceplates are now completely re-sizable.
  • Set thick lines on an analysis graph and all graphs use them. Makes seeing the graphs easier. Makes doing presentations much easier.
  • Easily double or halve the range on the simulation plot. Lets you view the part of the simulation that interests you the most.

New in Advanced Version (September 1999)

Multi-Variable Loop Analysis
Add as many extra variables as you want on the faceplate. Lets you monitor other variables on the same faceplate trend to see how other process variables effect the loop. Match any pair of trend variables for modeling and tuning of interactions or other loops.

• Create extra loops from the extra trends for extra modeling, analysis, simulation and tuning
• Monitor, tune and analyze multiple loops from one tag
• Add as many extra trends as you want. Lets you monitor other variables on the same faceplate trend to see how other process variables effect the loop.

Defining extra loops helps you work with these systems:

• Multi-variable: Model and decouple multi-variable systems 2x2, 3x3, 2x3 etc...
• Feedforward: Model load processes for feedforward compensation
• Cascade: Model and tune cascade systems simultaneously with one test. The master (outer) loop should have a Relative Response Time that is 3 to 5 times slower (larger) than the slave (inner) loop.
• Interacting Loops: Use cross-correlation to see how one loop affects another. To prevent interaction, adjust the safety factor or lambda value (set point speed) in the interacting loops so that the Relative Response Time is different by a factor of 5.

Relative Response Time
Only in ExperTune, new cutting edge tool for decoupling interacting loops. The Relative Response Time (RRT) makes it easy to set interacting and cascade loops to work together. The RRT in each interacting or cascade should be a factor of 3 away from the others. Change RRT by adjusting the safety factor or lambda time.

Histogram Plot
Now you can analyze the grouping of your PV, CO, and Errors. The histogram shows the statistical spread of your data. From noisy data determine if there is an offset one side or the other. For example, an inverse bell curve indicates a probable valve stiction problem. Well tuned loops have a tall thin bell curve. Poorly tuned loops have a short fat bell curve.

PV Filter Analysis
ExperTune calculates the largest possible filter for your selected tuning category. The filter is as large as possible without degrading performance significantly. Tuning is automatically recalculated with the filter added.

• Choose from first order, second order, Butterworth or averaging filters.
• Use ExperTune's filter time or try what-if with your own current or new filter times. Simulation and robustness plots update instantly to reflect your filter type and size.
• Use the new PV filter to analyze the effect on valve wear analysis using the new noise simulation.
• See the entire family of PV filters for each tuning category in the PID grid.

Valve Wear Analysis
Optimum PV Filtering and PID Tuning values can significantly increase valve life. Only ExperTune recommends the optimum PV filter value.

• Valve travel index—let you compare tunings and filters to see the effect on valve wear. Total valve travel for each case also given.
• Valve reversal index—compare tunings and filters to see the effect on valve wear. Total valve reversals for each case also given.
• Use the PV filter to minimize valve wear.
• Simulation with noise. Try what-if to see how changing tunings or filters effects controller output wear.

Universal Linearizer for pH Loops
pH loops are inherently non-linear, causing control to cycle around set point, while taking too long to recover from large load swings. Maximum performance requires the loop to be linearized by applying a characterizer to both the measurement and set point. The Wizard takes you though the following steps:

• From titration data, ExperTune plots the pH curve and converts it to a characterizer.
• Modify the curve (characterizer design) by adding or dragging and dropping points.
• The pH linearizer works with any controller that allows characterization or user programming.
• The characterizer can consist of X-Y coordinates, BASIC, FORTRAN, or C code, all automatically generated.
• See the white paper by Greg Shinskey on linearizing pH Loops

Inverse Response (Shrink-Swell) Process Analysis, Modeling, and Tuning

For drum level, bottoms control in distillation or the rare loop exhibiting "inverse response" where the PV initially goes the "wrong direction". These are typically very challenging loops to model and tune. Now simply click to indicate you want an inverse response loop, collect some data, and ExperTune gives you a complete analysis including tuning, modeling of the process, simulation, robustness, valve wear analysis, etc.

Simulation Enhancements

• Simulation with noise. Try what-if to see how changing tunings or filters effects controller output wear. Compare PI to PID to see how much D action effects output jitter. Use on cascade loops to see how a jittery master (outer) controller output effects the inner (slave).
• Compare modeled PV to actual in the simulation plot. This gives another view of how close the model fits your plant.
• Valve wear indices given (see above).

Robustness Plot Enhancements

• Robustness plots now use actual process gain and dead time for the axis of the plot as a default. You can easily see exactly how much dead time or gain increase will drive the loop unstable. Optionally select ratios instead of actual.
• Robustness Increase compares the increase in loop robustness from current to new settings in one value. It lets you very quickly compare how different tunings and filters will affect the control loops sensitivity to the process changing.

Reporting enhancements— Reports include the new performance values summarized on one page: PID values, filter values, Relative Response Time, performance increase, robustness increase, valve travel, and valve wear indices.

A standard Lambda Tuning category has been added. Uses traditional lambda tuning rules for those who subscribe to the lambda philosophy. Pick between lag rule or integrating rule. Use data for tuning from a setpoint change—closed loop. Other software packages using lambda tuning require you to tune from manual step changes in the controller output (open loop). ExperTune lets you tune and analyze from this data or from a manual pulse, or setpoint (closed loop) data. ExperTune's only requirement on the data is to start settled, do a quick change and end settled (with no load upsets).

November 1998 Release

• DDE Setup Wizards—Now even less typing to set up ExperTune to analyze PID control loops. Connects via a DDE server you supply so you can simultaneously do PID analysis and tuning along with your MMI software. Simply enter a few addresses and ExperTune does all the work of setting up your loop for analysis, optimization and tuning.
  
  
  • Allen Bradley DDE Setup Wizard for PLC-5 PD files and SLC500 series. Just enter the CB address and you are connected! (for Integer, enter PV and CV address also). It even checks if your PID loop has been programmed correctly
  • Modicon Setup Wizard—Just enter the source, destination registers, and you are connected!
  • Bailey Setup Wizard. Works with Rovisys driver. (Requires Advanced version)
  • Moore APACS Setup Wizard. Works via APACS or MycroAdvantage DDE server.
• Loop Tuning Report completely revamped. Creates a loop tuning report in Microsoft Word (one mouse click):
  • Current and new tuning values
  • Loop Notes
  • Time data for graph
  • PID Tuning Grid
  • Modeler Window
  • Robustness Plot
  • Frequency Response Plot
  • Simulation to Set Point
  • Simulation to Load Upset
• ExperTune Tutorial—in help cards. How to get going. (not in multi-channel).
  
  
  
  
• Steps to optimize your loops (Loop Audit)—in help cards. The help cards show you how to fully analyze your loop in an easy to follow, step by step guide. Find out:
  • Is your valve correctly sized and working?
  • Should your loop be linearized before it's tuned, particularly split-range heating/cooling loops?
  • What to do if the loop responds differently up than down.
  • Should you filter your measurement to reduce noise? If so what filter should you use?
  • Will optimizing the loop reduce it's variability?
  • And finally, of course, find out the optimum PID settings.
• Statistical analysis now includes:
  • True and compressed sample interval
  • Sample interval compressed
  • Number Of Points
  • Time Min
  • Time Max
  • Variance
  • Variability—gives a quantitative value to process variation.

  

• PID Controller Check—Collect test data in auto mode and ExperTune checks your PID loop to make sure it is properly set up. (Doesn't apply to multi-channel tuner).
• Y2K Compliant ExperTune is now fully year 2000 compliant.
• Frequency plot: added option to Show High Frequencies (default is no).

PID Analyzer—Advanced Version (October 1998)

• Advanced Reporting: Creates full report of your loop analysis in Microsoft Word
  • Includes tuning section (above)
  • Characterization section includes range of process gain and recommendation for linearization
  • Hysteresis section lists valve gain, hysteresis and noise.
  • Select action to take for hysteresis, linearization, asymmetry, and tuning from a drop down list. Colors changes to indicate severity.
  • Automatic summary and conclusion links
  • Add to an existing report or start a new one
  • Completely customize and configure report templates any way you like.
  • Resize, move or add graphic placeholders.
  • Have a report template for each category of loop.
  • Add any text or links in your templates.
  • Modify completed report any way you like.
  • You can have several reports open at the same time.

  

• Hysteresis check includes option to manually choose step times. Drag lines onto areas just before the CO change. Allows hysteresis checking with poor or noisy data.
• TimePlot: Now manually set min and max PV and CO. These min and max settings are saved to the archive—so the next time you view Timeplot, your min and max are the same as the ones you've set. Auto-scaling is still the default. Makes for easier before and after comparisons.
• Power Spectral: Saves your settings to archive and your preferences to expertun.ini—if you have not looked at power for this archive then uses preferences (settings from last power plot looked at). Settings saved include zoom, min and max and everything you've checked. Preferences saved are only things you've checked.
• Characterizer wizard improved. Now gives minimum and maximum process gains and make recommendations based on how linear your loop is. Saves your characterizer design. If you have done the characterizer wizard once (for this archive), then will take you to the final window when you go back to the characterizer. Added "dispersion" check of data—If points are close gives a warning or caution.
• Separate entry for controller sample interval. If your controller is overloaded and unable to run the PID fast enough to get optimum response, simply enter your controller's actual PID Controller Sample Interval. ExperTune will take the slow PID Controller Sample Interval into account and recommend the best settings for your slow controller.

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May 1998

• PLC/Interface now supports AB KT under NT with Cyberlogic driver
• PID Analyzer with Advanced Option
  • Option to View and Use Controller Sample Interval In Tuning and Simulation
  • Power Spectrum Additions
    • Graphical zooming on power spectral plots. Includes Zoom In, Zoom Back to Previous, and Zoom Out to See All Data.
    • Option to Omit Zero Frequency (DC) point.
    • Constant display of period (in seconds) via tool tip help.
    • Option to select period (seconds) as X axis.
    • You can now set the Y Axis scale.
• Loop Simulator:
  • Calculation of optimal feedforward compensator.
  • Option to adjust safety factor for load tuning.
  • Addition of Model Predictive Controller (IMC, Dahlin)

December 1997

• Now available on CD.
• New setup program includes uninstall.
• Suggested PV filter time added to PID grid.
• For tests taken in Auto mode, ExperTune automatically analyzes and checks the controller structure as a double check of your setup.
• Advanced Options
  • Can now specify the maximum compression (up to 32,768 points)
  • Set Point filter—Get the same great response to set points and load upsets.

September 1997

• Time Plot Only button in off-line analysis.
• ASCII data option expanded to handle virtually any type of ASCII columnar data.
• Cursor on all frequency plots, robustness plot, shows digital values with tool-tip help.
• Demo simulation now includes non-linear flow, level, and temperature loops
• More applications included in help system: Averaging level, extruders, cascades, etc.
• Advanced Options
  • Characterizer Option —Linearizes control loops—Get optimal performance at all production rates.
  • DCS Option—for all DCS Systems
  • Time Series Analysis Option. Auto and cross correlation graphs.
  • Includes revamped power spectral density, including linear plotting and cumulative power.

March 1997

• Tune Several Loops At Once View multiple faceplates.
• View Faceplate Only, Faceplate and Trend, or Faceplate Trend and Tuning.
• Create groups of Faceplates.
• Faceplates plot the setpoint on the time plot.

September 1996

• New improved PID tuning and process modeling engine
• Better automatic diagnosis of process problems and user errors.
• Modeling improved. It automatically chooses between a more accurate first or second order model with dead time.
• Native Windows 95 or NT added (32 bit).
• Reporting added. (supported in 32 bit version only)
  
  
  
  
• All Faceplates: added Offline analysis option. Once you've collected data you can analyze and tune the loop later without being connected.
• Complete list of additional features added to September 1996 release.

March 1996

• Customize the colors on the faceplate by Options|colors
• Auto-zoom added by Zoom|AutoZoom