AIM User Guide Page 1 of 10

AIM-2000
Release 8.5.2
March 8, 2013

Basic principles and concepts;

an overview of the process control system

Images and navigation;

the main user interface

Function modules;
the building blocks of the process

Main control and monitoring systems:

Alarm and Event system

Flow view system

IO system

Report system

Time series system

Trend system

Watch call system

Managers;
support components for better control and configuration

Click to display the Table of contents and the Search tool.

How to contact us

Important information

About the User Guide

The User Guide for the Advanced Integrated Multifunction (AIM) system is the essential reference for personnel involved
in operation and configuration of the AIM system. It is presumed that the reader has participated in the AIM training
program.

Contents
The AIM User Guide appears as a collection of sections, each covering a main aspect of the system. The main sections are
organized in logical sequences.

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The AIM-2000 section describes the typical environment for AIM.The AIM module section covers the main
building block in the AIM system. As AIM network is an essential element, the main principles are described
here.

The Operator Station (OS), History Station (HS) and Process Station (PS) sections cover the station types that
make up an AIM system. As the OS carries the user interface for the entire AIM system, basic information on
'how to do' are found in this section.

Individual sections for each AIM subsystem, also called components.

A configuration case-study, an example illustrating the configuration of a simple control loop.

Structure
As a general rule, the information in each section is organized in three main parts:

1. Description - general overview of technical concept concentrated in the User Guide

2. Procedures - relates to the use of the commands and their functionalities
3. Reference - providing a dialog box and command specific information.

Information retrieval
This User Guide provides several ways to locate the information you are looking for.

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The most usual way is to use the search tab to find the topic you need, and then use the Locate button to find its place in
the contents structure.
Refer to the description of the Help Viewer for details.

Context-sensitive help is available for all dialog boxes. Use the F1 button on the keyboard to display help for the active
dialog box.

Terms and abbreviations are explained in the glossary section of the User Guide. In addition, these terms and
abbreviations are identified in the text and appear in the same way as hyperlinks.

Pointing to the link for an explained term invokes the following ToolTip: . Click the term for a
definition of the term in a pop-up window.

AIM glossary

This glossary contains AIM specific as well as AIM related terms and abbreviations. On this page you find the entire AIM
glossary. Elsewhere in the User Guide, you can click the terms and abbreviations in the context where they appear.
Clicking the term invokes a pop up window that contains the definition of the glossary entry.

Abbreviation Description
AIM Advanced Integrated Multifunction system
AIM configuration The entire set of files that defines an AIM system delivery.
Alarm filter A mechanism that makes it possible to extract a subset of alarms. Each alarm filter specifies a set
of alarm attributes. Only alarms that match all specified attributes pass the filter.
Command control A function that controls access to different parts of the process. It can be used to avoid conflicting
operations from different operators and to define stations with limited control.
Daylight Saving Normally used during the summer, In Europe it is often named summer time. In central Europe
Time this time is UTC + 2 hours.
DCS Distributed Control System
DDE Dynamic Data Exchange. DDE is a Windows standard for data exchange. AIM uses DDE for export
of terminal values from the Process Station.
Display range The display range is a range of Flow image visibility levels that are used to control the detail level
of Flow images.
DSN Data Source Name. DSNs are used to define the ODBC compatible data sources to be interfaced
with an application program.
Event filter A mechanism that makes it possible to extract a subset of events. Each event filter specifies a set
of event attributes. Only events that match all specified attributes pass the filter.
Flexi-module A programmable AIM function module. Flexi-modules behave like other modules in the PS, except
that their algorithm must be configured by combining logic and arithmetic elements in a dedicated
graphic editor.
Hotspot A hotspot is an image navigation link.
HS History Station - A station that is responsible for long term storage of time series.
Image mask A user defined limitation in a Flow image. Areas outside the mask appear empty.
LAN Local Area Network
Local time The current time used at a location. During the winter local time equals standard time. During the
summer local time equals Daylight Saving Time. Note that the offset between Local time and UTC
time is not constant, it varies in locations where Daylight Saving Time is used.
LOGVAR An AIM specific data type applicable for module parameters. The data type denotes that the
module parameter is a 'log-able variable'. I.e. the parameter can act as data source for AIM time-
series.
MAPI Messaging Application Programming Interface. MAPI is a Microsoft Windows program interface
that enables you to send e-mail from within a Windows application and attach the document you
are working on to the e-mail note.
Module AIM modules are main building blocks in AIM PS configurations. Modules are self-contained
automation objects that represent field devices, process functions or system specific functions.
Module parameter A set of variables used to define the characteristics and behavior of the module.
Module terminal Communication channels towards other modules and IO channels. Terminals are used to transfer

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operational values between modules and between the module and the AIM environment.
MUM Module User Manual
ODBC Open Data Base Connectivity. A standard for interfacing data sources with applications.
OS Operator Station - The station that provides the main user interface, enabling monitoring and
control of the AIM system and the process controlled by the AIM system.
OS configuration The mode that allows configuration of the OS and its images.
mode
OSHS An OS that also incorporates HS functionality.
OSK Operator Station Kernel.
PS Process Station - a station that is responsible of monitoring and control of a dedicated process or
process section. The PS can run on different types of platforms, including the SBC and Windows
NT.
PS configuration PS configuration mode is an OS mode that enables configuration of the Process station.
mode
Process alarm A notification of an abnormal or unwanted process condition. Its purpose is to attract the
attention of the operator to potential hazardous areas.
Process event A notification of a condition change for recording purposes.
Scan task A cyclic PS task that runs the algorithms of a number of function modules in a defined sequence.
permission A permission represents a number of system functions. To be allowed to perform a given function,
the current user must have access to the relevant permission.
SL-GMS Sherill-Lubinski Graphical Modeling System. The name of the graphic system used to design and
display Process images.
SQL Structured Query Language - A language used in querying, updating and managing relational
databases. SQL can be used to retrieve, sort and filter specific data to be extracted from a
database.
System alarm A notification of an abnormal or unwanted system condition. Its purpose is to attract the attention
of the operator to potential hazardous areas.
System event A notification of a system condition for recording purposes.
Tag An AIM tag identifies a specific instance of an AIM module that is configured on a specific PS
within the AIM configuration. The tag is identified by an alphanumeric string - the tag name.
Tag name An AIM tag identifies a specific instance of an AIM module that is configured on a specific PS
within the AIM configuration. The tag is identified by an alphanumeric string - the tag name.
TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. The basic communication language or protocol of
the Internet. It can also be used as a communications protocol in private networks.
Text object A text object is a textual description configured on a module for display in a flow image.
Time series A series of digital or analog values representing the development of process conditions over time.
UTC Universal Time Coordinated. The standard time common to every place in the world. Formerly
called GMT and also World Time, UTC nominally reflects the mean solar time along the Earth's
prime meridian. The prime meridian is arbitrarily based on the meridian that runs through the
Greenwich Observatory. UTC is the basis for all time zones based on the Prime Meridian with
longitude = 0 degrees.
Value display A dynamic representation of a terminal value in a flow or process image. The terminal value can
be represented numerically or graphically.
Visibility level A drawing layer in flow images.

Contact information

Address: Telephone: (+47) 32285000

Kongsberg Maritime AS
P.O. Box 483 Telefax: (+47) 32285010
N-3601 Kongsberg
Norway Service 24hrs: (+47) 81535355

e-mail:
[email protected]

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[email protected]

Back

Important information

This User Guide is intended to be used as a help tool for the system operator. As such, it assumes that the operator is
experienced, and has a good understanding of the basic system principles and general system operation. If this is not the
case the operator should attend the appropriate Kongsberg Maritime training courses.

NOTE: The information contained in this User Guide remains the sole property of Kongsberg Maritime AS. No part
of this User Guide may be copied or reproduced in any form or by any means, and the information contained
within it is not to be communicated to a third party, without the prior written consent of Kongsberg Maritime AS.

Kongsberg Maritime AS endeavours to ensure that all information in this User Guide is correct and fairly stated, but does
not accept liability for any errors or emissions.

Warning !
The equipment to which this User Guide applies must only be used for the purpose for which it was designed. Improper
use or maintenance may cause damage to the equipment and/or injury to personnel. The user must be familiar with the
contents of the appropriate manuals before attempting to operate or work on the equipment.

Kongsberg Maritime AS disclaims any responsibility for damage or injury caused by improper installation, use or
maintenance of the equipment.

Back

How to use Help

The Help viewer appears in a window with three panes:

The first pane is the Toolbar, which is located below the help window title bar.

Under the Toolbar, on the left side of the window is the Navigation pane. It contains three navigational tabs:
the Contents tab, the Search tab and the Favorites tab.

On the right side of the window is the Topics pane. It displays the selected help topic, or the default help topic.

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Hiding or showing Navigation pane

If you have limited space on your screen and you want to use the application while reading the help file, you can reduce
the size of the help window by hiding the Navigation pane.

1. On the toolbar, click Hide to close the Navigation pane.

2. Click Show to view the Navigation pane again.

NOTE: If you close the Help viewer with the Navigation pane hidden, it will still be hidden when you open the Help
viewer again.

Displaying help topics

In the Navigation pane, the following tabs are available:

Click on the Contents tab to browse through a table of contents. The table of contents is an expandable list of
important topics, listed in topic area.

Click the Search tab to locate every occurrence of a word or phrase that may be contained in a help file, and
then type the word or phrase.

Click on the Favorites tab to locate and add a topic to your favorite topic list. The searching and selection of
topics are done with the Search tab, before entering to the Favorites tab.

NOTE: Common to all tabs; to display a selected topic, double-click on the topic and the topic will be displayed in
the Topics pane.

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Searching for help topics

A basic search consists of the word or phrase you want to find. You can use

Wildcard expressions,

Boolean operators,

Similar word matches,

Previous results list,

Topic titles.

The basic rules for formulating queries are as follows:

Searches are not case-sensitive (a or A), so you can type your search in upper-case or lower-case characters.

You may search for any combination of letters (a-z) and numbers (0-9).

Punctuation marks such as the full stop, colon, semicolon, comma, and hyphen are ignored during a search.

Searching enables you to include minor grammatical variations for the phrase you search.

Group the elements of your search using double quotation marks or parentheses to set apart each element. You
cannot search for quotation marks.

Some examples are listed to make searching easier to understand :

Search for Result

alarm alarm, alarms
"alarm" alarm, alarms
alarm limit alarm, limit, alarm limit, (Note: limits is not listed)
"alarm limit" alarm limit, (Note: alarm limits is not listed)
alarm AND limit alarm, limit, alarm limit, (Note: alarms or alarm limits are not listed)
alarm OR limit alarm, alarms, limit, limits, alarm limit, alarm limits
alarm NEAR limit alarm, limit, alarm limit, (Note: limits is not listed)
alarm NOT limit alarm, alarms, (Note: alarm limits is not listed)
ed in the text and appear in the same way as hyperlinks.

Pointing to the link for an explained term invokes the following ToolTip: . Click the term for a
definition of the term in a pop-up window.

Searching with wildcard expressions

You can search for words or phrases using wildcard expressions. This feature allows you to search for one character using
a question mark (?) or more characters using an asterisk (*).

1. Click on the Search tab.

2. In the Search box, type the word or phrase you want to search for.
3. Click the List Topics button.
4. The topics matching the search is listed in the Select topic window.
5. Select the topic you want to display, and then click Display button.
6. The topic selected is now displayed in the Topics pane.

The table below describes the results of these different kinds of searches.

Search for Example Results

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A single word select Topics that contain the word select.

Note that you also will find its grammatical variations,
such as selector and selection.
A phrase "new operator" Topics that contain the literal phrase (with quotation
marks) "new operator" and all its grammatical
variations, such as "new operators".

NB! Without the quotation marks, the query is equivalent

new operator to specifying new AND operator, which will find
topics containing both of the individual words, instead
of the phrase.
Wildcard expressions esc* Topics that contain the terms ESC, escape,
escalation, and so on. The asterisk cannot be the
only character in the term.

or Topics that contain the terms 80186, 80286, 80386,

80?86 and so on. The question mark cannot be the only
character in the term.

r> ed in the text and appear in the same way as hyperlinks.

Pointing to the link for an explained term invokes the following ToolTip: . Click the term for a
definition of the term in a pop-up window.

Searching with Boolean operators

You can use the Boolean operators: AND, OR, NOT and NEAR for more advanced search:

1. Click on the Search tab.

2. In the Search box, type the words you want to search for.
3. Click on the symbol to add boolean operators to your search (and, or, near, not).
4. The topics matching the search are listed in the Select topic window.
5. Select the topic you want, and then click Display button to display the topic in Topics pane.
6. To sort the topic list, click the Title, Location, or Rank column heading.

The AND, OR, NOT, and NEAR operators enable you to precisely define your search by creating a relationship between
search terms. The following table shows how you can use each of these operators. If no operator is specified, then AND
is used.

For example, the query spacing border printing is equivalent to spacing AND border AND printing.

Search for Example Results

Both terms in the same dib AND palette Topics containing both the words dib and palette.
topic.
Either term in a topic. raster OR vector Topics containing either the word raster or the word
vector or both.
The first term without the ole NOT dde Topics containing the word OLE, but not the word
second term. DDE.
Both terms in the same user NEAR kernel Topics containing the word user within eight words of
topic, close together. the word kernel.

NOTE: The |, &, and ! characters do not work as Boolean Operators (you must use OR, AND, and NOT).

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Searching for words similar to your search term

This feature enables you to include minor grammatical variations for the word or phrase you are searching for.

For example, searching on the word add will find add, adds, and added.

1. Click on the Search tab.

2. In the Search box, type the word or phrase you want to search for.
3. At the bottom of the Search tab box, select the Match similar words check box.
4. At the top, click the List Topics button.
5. The topics matching the search are listed in the Select topic window.
6. Select the topic you want, and then click Display button to display the topic in the Topics pane.

NOTE: This feature only locates variations of the word with common suffixes. For example, a search for the word
add will find added, but it will not find additive.

Searching previous results

This feature enables you to narrow a search that results in too many topics found. You can search through your results
list from previous search by using this option.

1. On the Search tab, select the Search previous results check box.
2. Type the word you want to search for and click List Topics.
3. Files matching your search criteria will now be listed in the Select topic window.
4. Click List Topics, select the topic you want, and then click Display.

NOTE: If you want to search through all of the files in a help system, this check box must be cleared.
The Search tab will open with this check box selected if you previously used this feature.

Searching for words in topic titles

1. Click on the Search tab.

2. In the Search box, type the word or phrase you want to search for.
3. At the bottom of the Search tab box, select the Search titles only check box.
4. At the top, click the List Topics button.
5. The topics matching the search is listed in the Select topic window.
6. Select the topic you want, and then click Display button to display the topic in the Topics pane.

NOTE: If you use this option, all topic files will be searched, including any that are not listed in the table of
contents.

Printing current help topic

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1. When displaying a topic in the Topics pane, right-click the topic, and then click Print.
2. This will print the topic file to your default printer.

Printing several help topics

1. If you print from the Contents tab (by right-clicking an entry, and then clicking Print) you will see options to
print only the current topic, or the current topic and all subtopics.

NOTE: You can also select a topic and click Print on the toolbar.

Creating a list of favorite Help topics

1. Locate and select the Help topic you want to make a favorite topic, either directly from the Contents tab or by
searching from the Search tab.
2. When a Help topic is selected and displayed in the Topics pane, the name of the selected topic is also listed in
the Current topic box in the Favorites tab.
3. Click the Favorites tab, and then click Add button and the topic has been added to the Navigation pane of the
Favorites tab.

NOTE:

To return to a favorite topic, click the Favorites tab, select the topic, and then click Display or double-
click on the topic.

If you want to rename a topic, select the topic, and then type a new name in the Current topic box.

To remove a favorite topic, select the topic and then click Remove.

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