DCH was developed during the early 2000’s & release DCH v1.1 was in 2005 with a 5v PCI LCN interface card (SX007). There was a new release (DCH v1.2) in 2007 to accommodate a new 3.3v PCIx LCN interface card (SX008). There have been further software releases to progressively enhance and improve the product, with DCH v1.3 in 2009 & DCH v1.4 in 2013.
For 2016, Emerson is announcing an imminent new release (DCH v2.3), with significant changes including a completely new design SX009 kit, which is an external, rack-mounted LCN interface (no longer a card in a DeltaV Application Station). This eliminates a major concern of being tied to specific Dell hardware, which in fact, leads to the natural conclusion of allowing the DCH host pc to be virtualized, which will increase overall reliability & performance.
DCH v2.3 has already been successfully tested with DeltaV 12.3.1, and it is currently in test for DeltaV v13.3.1, which is planned for release around year-end 2016. At this point in time, there is no announced “final release” of the DCH solution; it is projected to be available for sale through at least DeltaV v14.3.1.
Emerson still expects clients using DCH will do their best to preserve software releases in lock-step; i.e., whatever software release is currently installed on your Honeywell LCN & your DeltaV system when DCH is installed should be kept the same until the DCH is fully decommissioned. This is to keep risk to a minimum.
Furthermore, Emerson strongly encourages clients to begin their Honeywell-to-DeltaV cutover process as soon as possible after installing DCH. It is clear to see that the longer you try to maintain a bridging solution, the more inherent risks you will face.
For more information, please contact your local Emerson office or Local Business Partner for assistance.
Or, if you’re attending Emerson Global User Exchange in Austin this October, why not come by the Exhibit Hall Modernization Area any night to engage with our “Modernization Olympians”? We’d love to show you all our latest technologies and tools!