A Tricon controller contains three Main Processor modules. Each Main Processor controls a separate channel of the system and operates in parallel with the other Main Processors. A dedicated I/O Processor on each Main Processor manages the data exchanged between the Main Processor and the I/O modules. A triplicated I/O bus, located on the chassis backplane, extends from chassis to chassis by means of I/O bus cables.

As each input module is polled, the appropriate channel of the I/O bus transmits new input data to the Main Processor. The input data is assembled into a table in the Main Processor and is stored in memory for use in the voting process.

The individual input table in each Main Processor is transferred to its neighboring Main Processors over the TriBus. During this transfer, voting takes place. The TriBus uses a direct memory access programmable device to synchronize and transmit data among the three Main Processors.

If a disagreement occurs, the signal value found in two out of three tables prevails, and the third table is corrected accordingly. One-time differences which result from sample timing variations are distinguished from a pattern of differing data. Each Main Processor maintains data about necessary corrections in local memory. The Tricon controller built-in fault analyzer routines flag any disparity in the data and use it at the end of the scan to determine whether a fault exists on a particular module.

The Main Processors transmit the corrected data to the control program. The 32-bit main microprocessor executes the control program in parallel with the neighboring Main Processor modules.

The control program generates a table of output values which are based on the table of input values according to customer-defined rules built into the control program. The I/O Processor on each Main Processor manages the transmission of output data to the output modules by means of the I/O bus.

Using the table of output values, the I/O Processor generates output messages, each corresponding to an individual output module in the system. Each output message is transmitted to the appropriate channel of the corresponding output module over the I/O bus. For example, Main Processor A transmits the appropriate table to Channel A of each output module over I/O Bus A. The transmittal of output data has priority over the routine scanning of all I/O modules. The I/O Processor manages the data exchanged between the Main Processors and the communication modules using the communication bus which supports a broadcast mechanism.

Main Processors receive power from dual Power Modules and power rails in the Main Chassis. A failure on one Power Module or power rail does not affect the system performance.

Model 3009 Main Processors

Model 3009 has 256 MB DRAM (without battery backup) and 2 MB NVRAM (SRAM with battery backup).

Model 3008 Main Processors

Model 3008 has 16 megabytes DRAM (without battery backup) and 32 kilobytes SRAM (with battery backup).

Model 3006 and 3007 Main Processors

Models 3006 and 3007 can be used with Tricon v9.0 to v9.5.x systems. They have the same architecture and specifications, except for SRAM, which is 2 megabytes for the 3006 and 1 megabyte for the 3007.

Bus Systems and Power Distribution

This figure depicts the three triplicated bus systems which are etched on the Model 8110 Main chassis backplane: the TriBus, the I/O bus, and the communication bus.

This figure depicts the three triplicated bus systems which are etched on the Model 8120E Enhanced Performance Main chassis backplane: the TriBus, the I/O bus, and the communication bus.

TriBus Operation

The TriBus consists of three independent serial links which synchronizes the Main Processors at the beginning of a scan, and performs either of these functions:

Transfers I/O, diagnostic, and communication data.

Compares data and flags disagreements of output or memory data from the previous scan.

An important feature of Tricon controller architecture is the use of a single transmitter to send data to both the upstream and downstream Main Processors, which ensures the same data is received by the upstream processor and downstream processor.

I/O Bus Operation

Each I/O module transfers signals to or from the field through its associated field termination assembly. Two positions in the chassis tie together as one logical slot. Termination cables are tied to panel connectors at the top of the backplane. Each connection extends from the termination module to both active and hot-spare I/O modules, which means both the active module and the hot-spare module receive the same information from the field termination wiring.

The triplicated I/O bus transfers data between the I/O modules and the Main Processors at 375 kilobits per second. The I/O bus is carried along the bottom of the backplane. Each channel of the I/O bus runs between one Main Processor and the corresponding channels on the I/O module. The I/O bus extends between chassis using a set of three I/O bus cables.

Communication Bus Operation

The communication bus runs between the Main Processors and the communication modules at 2 megabits per second.

Power Distribution

Power for the chassis is distributed across two independent power rails and down the center of the backplane. Each module in the chassis draws power from both power rails through dual power regulators. There are four sets of power regulators on each input and output board: one set for each channel (A, B, and C) and one set for the status indicators.

Power Modules

Each Tricon controller chassis houses two Power Modules arranged in a dual-redundant configuration. Each module derives power from the backplane and has independent power regulators for each channel. Each can support the power requirements for all the modules in the chassis in which it resides, and each feeds a separate power rail on the chassis backplane. The Power Modules have built-in diagnostic circuitry which checks for out-of-range voltages and over-temperature conditions. A short on a channel disables the power regulator rather than affecting the power bus.
Same functional module:
TRICONEX   3504E
TRICONEX   3511
TRICONEX   3515
TRICONEX 3601E
TRICONEX 3604E
TRICONEX 3607E
TRICONEX   3623T
TRICONEX   3625
TRICONEX  3625A
TRICONEX   3625C1
TRICONEX   3625
TRICONEX 3636R
TRICONEX   3664
TRICONEX 3700A
TRICONEX 3703E
TRICONEX   3708E
TRICONEX   3708EN
TRICONEX   3721C
TRICONEX 3721
TRICONEX   3805E
TRICONEX   3806E
TRICONEX 3902AX
TRICONEX 4000056-002
TRICONEX 4000066-025
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