Communications module combines unprecedented openness with unmatched safety and security, and provides safe and secure communications integration between safety systems and all popular DCSs.

Triconex unit of Invensys Process Systems, has announced a powerful new communications module that meets today's user requirements for open and flexible communications integration between Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) and Distributed Control Systems (DCS) - without compromising either safety or security. 'While increased information integration between plant safety or critical control systems and the process control network helps support today's plant-wide asset performance management strategies, this level of integration must not compromise the ability of the safety system to perform its fault tolerant protection function,' said Luis Duran, Triconex product marketing manager at Invensys Process Systems. 'The new Tricon Communications Module addresses our customers' needs for today, provides a foundation for tomorrow, and represents a quantum leap forward for the industry.' The Tricon Communications Module (TCM) offers unprecedented support for communications integration via industry-standard protocols.

To date, the TCM incorporates an Embedded OPC Server and Modbus TCP/IP together with Safe Peer to Peer and other standard Triconex features.

In addition, the TCM supports full TCP/IP and routing functions for use with LANs and WANs.

To help ensure uncompromised safety, the TCM acts as a layer that isolates the Tricon safety system from control network and private LAN nuisances.

The TCM itself is designed to degrade safely and recover gracefully.

Support for redundant connections helps ensure that there will be no 'loss of view' of the safety system from the DCS.

Like other Tricon family products, the TCM is TUV approved for use in systems up to SIL 3.

A sophisticated security model has been incorporated enabling users to specify which computers on the network can communicate with the SIS, as well as the type of access: Monitoring (Read only), Programming and Engineering (Read/Write), or Maintenance (Read only).

In this manner, the opportunity for unauthorised access or intrusions is virtually non-existent.