This Summary describes the most notable new features and significant improvements to existing functions that were added in moving forward from version 2.0.10 to version 3.0.11 of Cornerstone Base Station.  New versions of Cornerstone Configurator and Cornerstone Field Station software were released to maintain compatibility with Base Station 3.0.11.  General statements made about Base Station that refer to common functions contained in Field Station, are also true for that model.  A What's New in Configurator 3.0.11 page is separately available.

Some of these changes were introduced with the previous release of 3.0.10, and some were introduced in the current release of 3.0.11.  The release where the change occurred is specified in each description.

Year 2000 Compatibility

Extensive testing of Base Station and Field Station version 3.0.11 has confirmed that with this release, all date storage, date arithmetic, date comparisons, and date display functions have been brought into full compliance with the Year 2000 transition.

Multi-user Base Station for LAN

Introduced with version 3.0.10, Base Station software can be installed in a multi-user environment on a local area network (LAN), using a file server as the repository for the common Cornerstone databases.  Multi-user kits are available that authorize operation of various capacities of simultaneous Base Station users on the LAN.  The Multi-user version of the software provides all of the Base Station features to multiple users on the LAN.  The operating environment for the Cornerstone File Server computer should be Windows NT and the individual stations on the LAN can be Windows NT 4.0, Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows for Workgroups 3.11.  The multi-user configuration is compatible with NetBEUI/NetBIOS, TCP/IP, and other network protocols.

Instrument Category

Cornerstone software characterizes all instruments as conforming to an Instrument Type, based on ISA standard process device classifications.  Base Station 3.0.10 introduced an important new feature called Instrument Category that allows the user to define types or classes of instruments based on the naming conventions applied to the devices in his process.

Category definitions include a category name, an Instrument Type (like PT, TI, CV, etc.), and docking calibration parameters.  Categories make it possible to map user supplied device class names ("application identity") to Cornerstone defined instrument types ("calibration profiles").  For example, a pressure transmitter that is used in a level application still needs to be tested and calibrated according to its "type" of PT.  Through the facility provided by Instrument Category, the user can now assign the "class name" by which it is described , accessed in the data base, and appears in reports to be "Tank Level Transmitter".

Even further, Instrument Category can be used very effectively where the type is UD (Universal Device) to create user defined "types" that can be essentially any of a wide variety of analytical and other kinds of equipment that need to be scheduled for calibration and maintenance.  You could easily define Categories for classes like "Auxiliary Flow Meters", "Back-up Transformers", and even "Fire Extinguishers".

Compatibility is maintained with existing databases since Base Station 3.0.10 starts the user out with a default set of built-in Category definitions that exactly matches the previous list of Instrument Types.  In other words, all of the instruments of type PT and TI are assigned by default to the Categories of "Pressure Transmitter" and "Temperature Indicator", respectively.  Since all of the instruments in your Cornerstone database have an assigned type, they will now automatically have a Category assignment of the same name upon update to Base Station 3.0.11

Simplified Method of Calibration Error Calculations

With version 3.0.11, a new Setup Error Calculations option allows the user to specify the type of error calculations to be performed, Basic or Advanced. Advanced Error Calculations are the standard calculations that were performed in previous revisions.  Selection of the new Basic Error Calculations replaces the curve fitting algorithms and statistical projections of the Advanced Error Calculations with simple computations of the deviations at the test points.  In particular, when Basic Error Calculations are selected, Max Error will always be simply the largest deviation of the individual test point errors.

Switch Instruments

Extensive additions were included in version 3.0.10 of Base Station and Field Station to support the configuration, test, and calibration of conventional switch instruments.  The additions include switch specific calibration parameters in a new instrument configuration record, new manual calibration data entry and directed calibration functions for switches, a docking window interface to calibrators that support switches, manual docking test worksheets for switches, new switch configuration and calibration history records, and a full complement of reports and import/export functions.

Select Errors Used for Pass/Fail Determination

In version 3.0.11 a new Setup Error Calculations function allows the user to specify which error calculations will determine the pass or fail of an instrument test.  In previous versions, if sufficient test points were performed, Max, Zero, Span, Linearity, and Hysteresis errors were all used to determine a pass/fail result for an instrument calibration.  You can now optionally select from Zero, Span, Linearity, and Hysteresis only those errors that you want to be used to determine pass/fail of the calibration (Max error is always used).

Expanded Docking Calibration Support

In version 3.0.10 new parameters and set up dialogs were added to give more flexibility and to exercise more direct control over the calibration procedures executed by docking (documenting) calibrators.  The new parameters include:

Multiple Direction Changes in Cal Schemes

Starting with version 3.0.11, multiple direction changes (up and down) are allowed in the test points specified in Cornerstone Cal Schemes.  This is especially useful for control valve or valve positioner test procedures where the need exists to ramp these devices up and down.

Square Transfer Function

In version 3.0.10 a new Square transfer function was added to help support the test and calibration of valve positioners and other instruments that might utilize a square transfer function.

Enhanced To Look Like Function

In version 3.0.11 the HART Comm window To Look Like function was enhanced to allow the complete cloning of all instrument configuration parameters into another instrument, including transmitter specific HART parameters when a ModLib is available.  This time saving feature makes it easy to quickly replicate one instrument's setup into another, with the opportunity to enter minor changes as needed.  To Look Like saves time in pre-commissioning activities, the preparation of off-line edits, and in replacing instruments taken out of service.

New Sort Capability

Starting with version 3.0.10, you can now sort lists created in the Database and Docking windows.  For example, a list of tag names pulled from the instrument database based on user selection criteria can be sorted by Group, and within the Group, alphabetically by Tag.

Expanded DDE Access to Instrument Data

Introduced with version 3.0.10, Base Station software and its optional ComLibs for interfacing large numbers of instruments in an on-line system now provide expanded access to HART instrument data and status to other Windows applications via DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange).  This expanded access now allows other applications to read and write to HART devices via Cornerstone Base Station.

New HART Manufacturers, Models, Units

The latest codes and strings for manufacturers, models, and units that have been defined by the HART protocol specification and/or the HART Communication Foundation (HCF) have been added to the Cornerstone database files.

Expanded Process Unit Selections

Beyond the HART specified additions to the units codes, support has been added for a variety of new measurement units, bringing the total number of available unit assignments to 250+.  Included are expanded input and output units choices for instruments of type Control Valve (CV), which have been changed to include V, mV, mA, Hz, and %, for either input or output.

AutoCAD File Support for Tag Notes

In version 3.0.10 the Tag Note facility was enhanced to allow the use of AutoCAD file viewers to access drawings related to an instrument in the Cornerstone database.  AutoCAD viewers (and other applications) are now accommodated by allowing unrestricted assignment of the Tag Note editors that can be employed.  You can now choose the Tag Note file type from any of the file extensions (e.g., .DOC, .XLS, .PCX) present in the Windows registration database that is automatically maintained when you install your Windows programs.

User Configurable Base Station Windows

Starting with version 3.0.10, you can now select the Base Station feature windows that are to be displayed.  This lets you tailor the Base Station to your specific requirements so that you can display only the windows you want, and hide those that you do not require.  On a Multi-user networked system, you can set up each station individually.

Help Navigator

Base Station 3.0.10 added a special ‘Navigator" button under the help menu bar.  The Navigator button raises a pictorial table of contents for the entire on-line User’s Manual.  Use this handy feature to browse the manual or to locate help on a particular topic.

Update of Previous Database During Installation

The new and expanded features in versions 3.0.10 and 3.0.11 brought with them required changes and additions to the Cornerstone Instrument and History Databases.  The install process automatically performs the necessary modifications to your existing version 2.0.10 or 3.0.10 databases to make them compatible with 3.0.11.

Microsoft Windows Compatibility

Cornerstone Base Station is now fully compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98, and the high performance 32 bit FAT file system for both standalone (single computer) and Multi-user LAN configurations.

Microsoft Windows NT Compatibility

Cornerstone Base Station and most of its optional components are now compatible with Microsoft Windows NT 3.51 and Windows NT Workstation and Windows NT Server, version 4.0.  Only two components can not currently be used with Windows NT:  the Allen-Bradley STI ComLib and the standard Hdatalink ComLib used to interface a generic HART modem to a serial port.

Option to Put Database Files on Network Drive

For a standalone installation of Base Station on a single computer, you can now select a remote location for the installation of your Cornerstone Database files.  They can be installed on a file server on a network to allow regularly scheduled backup with other files on the server.

Compatibility with TCP/IP and Other LAN Protocols

Cornerstone Base Station Version 3.0.10 required the NetBEUI network protocol.  Version 3.0.11 is now compatible with other LAN protocols (e.g. TCP/IP) by using a TCP/IP Lock Manager or the General Lock Manager instead of the NetBEUI Lock Manager.

Compatibility with new Configurator and Field Station

To insure correct operation of Configurator’s function to upgrade its database for use on a Base Station, and to maintain compatibility of the upload/download exchange between Base Station and Field Station, both Configurator and Field Station have companion releases at version 3.0.11.  Note that earlier versions of Configurator and Field Station cannot exchange their databases with Base Station 3.0.11.

New Libraries (ModLibs, ComLibs, CalLibs)

Revised versions of ALL optional components for Base Station, Field Station and Configurator that were previously available were released with Base Station 3.0.10.   Additional new components, as noted below, were released with Base Station 3.0.10 or 3.0.11.

New CalLibs (Calibrator Interface Libraries)

All existing CalLibs were updated, and the following new CalLibs were introduced at the time of release of versions 3.0.10 and 3.0.11.

Please refer to our Products pages for the most current list of all available ModLibs.

New ModLibs (Model Support Libraries)

With releases 3.0.10 and 3.0.11, the following new or updated ModLibs were added to the ModLib Packages as shown below.  Note that the information below lists only the new or updated ModLibs in each package.  In most cases there are many other ModLibs available in the package.

Please refer to our Products pages for the most current list of all available ModLibs.

600T
MassMeter
652/653S

Sensycon Contrans TEU 211
Sensycon Contrans AS800
Hartmann & Braun TZID

ST3000 Pressure
STT250 Temperature

Endress + Hauser Cerabar S
Endress + Hauser Deltabar S (supports new revs)
Foxboro-Eckardt DMU 130 Series
Foxboro-Eckardt DMU 140 Series
Kayray 3680 (moved from Rosemount package)
Samson 3780 Positioner
Viatran 970

340_B
340_A2
341
XTC 344

3144
3244MV
644
8800 (Updated ModLib)
IFT 3000

EJA
UNI Delta Mark II
YT200
YEWFLO

New ComLibs (Communications Interface Libraries)

The following new or updated ComLibs were released with versions 3.0.10 and 3.0.11 to support  HART multiplexer equipment.

Please refer to our Products pages for the most current list of all available ModLibs.

applied system technologies, inc.
3350 nw 53rd street, suite 101
fort lauderdale, florida  U.S.A.  33309

ã Copyright 2000 Applied System Technologies, Inc.   All rights reserved.
Cornerstone and the Cornerstone logo are trademarks of Applied System Technologies, Inc. 
Specifications subject to change without notice.
This site was last updated on 22 February 2000.