Data Sheet

Ovation™ I/O
Overview
Features
 Modular, plug-in components support long-term
process reliability
 Modules are installed and configured quickly and
easily with single-point DIN rail fastening
 Built-in connectors eliminate power and
communications wiring
 Electronic ID identifies module type, group, serial
number and revision
 Fewer module styles reduce spare parts
inventory costs
 Redundant power supplies deliver system
reliability
 “Hot swapping” streamlines system maintenance
 Standardized status indicators offer color-coded
diagnostic messages
 Remote Ovation I/O provides a flexible, cost-
effective means to distribute I/O modules to
strategic locations throughout the plant

Introduction
Emerson’s Ovation™ control technology is designed Single-point DIN rail fastening makes installation and
to support long-term process reliability and configuration quick and easy. Built-in connectors
expandability. With modular plug-in components, eliminate power and communications wiring. Because
Ovation I/O delivers embedded advanced control the modules are software configurable, no jumpers or
applications with built-in fault tolerance and system thumb wheels are necessary. Each module’s advanced
diagnostics. With their inherent flexibility, Ovation I/O electronics also delivers low power consumption and
modules convert input signals and create output HVAC costs.
signals, performing a multitude of functions.
Specialized I/O modules are also available for loop
interfacing, serial linking and pulse accumulating Ovation I/O Architecture
functions.
The Base
Simplified Maintenance Ovation packaging reduces the system footprint by
Standardized assembly style simplifies maintenance using base units which attach to mounting plates by
and reduces spare parts inventory costs. DIN rail; these hold four independent Ovation I/O
modules of any style. This approach simplifies
maintenance by making it easy to install, move or

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replace individual base units. Base unit features include:

 Field terminal blocks that accept two 14 AWG or a single 12 AWG
 I/O bus communications built into the base
 I/O modules automatically addressed by location
 I/O modules may reside in any location
 I/O module redundant power distribution
 No interconnecting cables for I/O bases
 Built-in spare fuse holders and strip gauge in base

The base unit’s high-impact plastic housing protects the backplane, exposing only the connectors as modules are
removed.

The I/O Module

The I/O module includes an electronic module and a personality module or cavity insert. The I/O module
converts field signals into data and sends it to the controller. Electronic module styles include digital and analog
input and output modules, contact inputs, RTD inputs, pulse accumulator / counter, HART input and output
modules, Foundation fieldbus, Profibus, DeviceNet, Ethernet and serial link controller modules.

I/O modules offer a number of protective features. Signal conditioning, part of the surge-withstand feature,
dissipates voltage “spikes” to protect the electronics. Fuses protect the circuit in case of a short in the field
device line.

Each module is “hot swappable,” allowing it to be removed and replaced without interrupting system power or
using mechanical tools. The standard Ovation system configuration allows for up to 128 I/O modules in local
configuration. This modular approach simplifies maintenance by requiring less assembly and offering a
compact and uniform architecture.

Ovation I/O Architectures

The Ovation controller supports multiple I/O capabilities in various combinations, including:
 Hardware I/O interfaces to Ovation I/O
 Q-Line I/O plus software I/O in the form of simulated I/O
 Virtual I/O generally communicated from OEM models and systems
Ovation I/O has two methods of implementation: locally within the controller and remotely away from the
controller. Remote I/O provides a means to distribute I/O throughout a plant.

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Controller I/O Capabilities

Item Capability

Local Ovation I/O 2 sets of up to 8 independent branches of 8 modules per branch for a total of 128 modules

Remote Ovation I/O* Up to 8 nodes of 8 branches of 8 modules per branch for a total of 64 modules per node

Local Q-Line I/O* 1 node of 48 Q cards

Local Q-Line I/O* 1 additional node of 48 Q cards

Remote Q-Line I/O* Up to 8 nodes of 48 cards

FOUNDATION fieldbus
Smart device capability PROFIBUS
DeviceNet
Allen-Bradley PLCs DF-1,
GE Mark V/VI GSM
Virtual I/O capability **
Modbus/TCP
(via Ethernet TCP/IP
GE Genius I/O
and standard
Toshiba turbine control
protocols)
MHI turbine control
External Ovation network
Note:
* Refer to the Ovation controller documentation for valid combinations of the above listed hardware interface capabilities since
not all can be supported concurrently.
** The valid combinations of software I/O interfaces depend upon the ports available and controller device capability.

Ovation Local I/O

The Ovation controller can directly support up to 16 independently driven branches of Ovation I/O.

For local I/O, all modules reside in up to four standard cabinets, which are placed side by side. All field wiring
leads to these cabinets.

Ovation Local I/O Specifications

Max branches per controller 16 branches
Max I/O modules per branch 8 modules
Max I/O modules per controller 128
Max local I/O bus length 20m (60ft)

Ovation Redundant I/O

Redundant Ovation I/O modules are installed in the same fashion as standard Ovation I/O modules, but are
associated in pairs located in adjacent branches. The module pairs exchange health, status and I/O information
via their personality module interconnections. This approach allows the user to take advantage of I/O
redundancy by wiring the field terminations into a single terminal block on the primary I/O base, with no special
control strategy configuration required.

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Redundancy is applied at I/O configuration time, and during normal operation, the Ovation system automatically
reads and compares the I/O channels of both modules and determines which value to use. When a fault is
detected the system automatically switches to the backup module thus increasing reliability and availability of
the process inputs or outputs.

Refer to the Ovation Redundant I/O Overview data sheet for complete details.

Ovation Remote I/O

Ovation remote I/O places I/O modules close to field devices, in contrast to local I/O modules. Remote I/O uses
redundant fiber optic cables that stretch from the controller cabinet to up to 4000 meters away — to a cabinet that
houses the I/O modules. By placing the I/O modules closer to the transmitters and actuators, field cables can be
made shorter. This significantly reduces the amount of wiring required throughout the plant, delivering substantial
cost savings significantly. Interfaces for both local and a remote I/O can reside the same controller. Multiple
remote I/O can be connected to the same controller.

The remote I/O system is easy to configure and requires no database modification. Again, I/O selection type,
whether local or remote, is made during configuration on the controller.

The remote I/O system offers a level of reliability unmatched in the industry through, redundant communications,
periodic communication diagnostics and error correction. When remote I/O is implemented in a controller, the
remote I/O subsystem provides a flexible, cost-effective means to distribute I/O modules to strategic locations
throughout the plant.

Remote I/O Specifications

Max. remote nodes 8 nodes
Max. I/O modules per node 64 (8 branches with 8 modules for each branch)
Max. I/O modules per controller 512
Remote I/O bus configuration 10 BASE-FL Ethernet physical layer with a proprietary protocol
Remote I/O cycle time <100 microseconds (no repeaters)
Standard remote communications
Fiber optic
media
Maximum cable length for 850 nm
4 km. Distances of 6 km can be achieved with repeaters (up to two repeaters)
fiber-optic media

Q-Line I/O (Remote & Local)

The Ovation controller additionally supports both local and remote Q-Line I/O, typically used in Emerson’s WDPF
control system. This interface capability provides the ability to reuse the majority of your existing configurations.

Simulated I/O
Another type of I/O supported by the Ovation controller is simulated I/O, where the controller can be directed to
interface to I/O generated by a software model accessible through the Ovation network.

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Virtual I/O
The Ovation controller supports a number of standard 10/100 Ethernet based interface protocols. This capability
allows OEM systems which support these same protocols as a standard to intercommunicate with the Ovation
system. This ability provides remote operation, monitoring and control where appropriate.

Summary
Ovation I/O significantly improves system performance, speed and reliability. State-of-the-art electronics provides
low power consumption and heat dissipation. Remote I/O reduces costs by placing modules closer to field
devices, thereby reducing field wiring. Streamlined design standardizes inventory, requiring fewer spare parts.
Fast, effective and reliable, simple pull-and-plug card swapping means the Ovation I/O system is always online
available and fully functional.

©2017 Emerson. All rights reserved. The Emerson logo is a trademark and service mark of Emerson Electric Co. Ovation™ is a mark of one of the Emerson Automation Solutions family
of business units. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. The contents of this publication are presented for information purposes only, and while effort has been made
to ensure their accuracy, they are not to be construed as warranties or guarantees, express or implied, regarding the products or services described herein or their use or applicability. All
sales are governed by our terms and conditions, which are available on request. We reserve the right to modify or improve the designs or specifications of our products at any time without
notice.

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