ABB BRC100 Bridge Controller and Processor Bus Adapter
The BRC-100 Harmony Bridge Controller is a high-performance, high-capacity process controller. It is a rack controller
designed to interface with both Harmony I/O blocks and Harmony rack I/O in the Symphony Enterprise Management and
Control System. The Harmony bridge controller is fully compatible with the INFI 90® OPEN system in functionality, communication and packaging. The Harmony bridge controller
collects process I/O, performs control algorithms and outputs
control signals to process level devices. It also imports and
exports process data of other controllers and system nodes,
and accepts control commands from operators and computers
connected to the network.
This instruction provides information about how the Harmony
bridge controller works, and how to install, configure, operate
and troubleshoot the module.
The Harmony bridge controller is designed for redundancy.
This can be achieved while remaining connected to the Hnet, or
without, using an optional BRC redundancy kit.

ABB will provide assistance in the operation and repair of its
products. Requests for sales or application services should be
made to your nearest sales or service office. ABB can also pro vide installation, repair and maintenance contract services.
When ordering parts, use nomenclature or part numbers and
part descriptions from equipment manuals. Parts without a
description must be ordered from the nearest sales or service
office. Recommended spare parts lists, including prices are
available though the nearest sales or service office.
ABB has modern training facilities available for training your
personnel. On-site training is also available. Contact your
nearest ABB sales office for specific information and schedul ing.
Additional copies of this instruction, or other instructions, can
be obtained from the nearest ABB sales office at a reasonable
charge.
The BRC-100 Harmony Bridge Controller is a high-perfor mance, high-capacity process controller. It is a rack controller
designed to interface with both Harmony I/O blocks and Har mony rack I/O in the Symphony Enterprise Management and
Control System. The Harmony bridge controller (BRC) is fully
compatible with the INFI 90 OPEN system in functionality,
communication, and packaging.
The Harmony bridge controller is a stand-alone controller that
can handle specific control and information processing appli cations in addition to multiple-loop analog, sequential, and
batch control. It has the power to execute demanding process
control applications that are data intensive, program intensive
or both. The Harmony bridge controller supports multiple con trol languages which include function codes,C, Basic,
Batch 90, and Ladder.
The Symphony system uses a variety of analog, control, and
digital I/O devices to interface with the process. Control input/
output is available from I/O blocks using the Harmony com munication network (Hnet) or from Harmony rack I/O modules
using the I/O expander bus.
For added reliability, the BRC module has circuitry that sup ports redundancy. A backup BRC module waits in a standby
mode while the primary module executes. If the primary goes
offline for any reason, there is a bumpless transfer of control to
the backup module. A processor bus adapter (PBA) board is
required to support redundant BRC modules and redundant
Hnet buses. When no Hnet and termination unit connection is
needed, a BRC redundancy kit may be used to support redun dant BRC modules.
IISAC01 Analog Control Stations can connect directly to the
BRC module via a PBA board and termination unit. The BRC
module also supports IISAC01 stations that are connected to a
Harmony control I/O block (CIO-100/110) on the Hnet bus or
a Harmony control I/O module (IMCIS12, IMQRS12) on the I/
O expander bus. The BRC module supports up to 128 SAC sta
Hardware Description
The Harmony bridge controller consists of a circuit board and
a faceplate.
Faceplate
The BRC faceplate measures 35.56-millimeters wide by
177.80-millimeters high (1.4-inches wide by 7.0-inches high).
Two latching screws, one at the top, the other at the bottom,
lock the module assembly in a module mounting unit (MMU). A
transparent window on the faceplate enables viewing the 16
CPU LEDs and the status LED. These LEDs display operating
information. A small hole directly below the window provides
access to the combination stop/reset pushbutton. Besides
locking the module in place, the faceplate also protects the circuit components and promotes proper air flow within the
enclosure.
Circuit Board
The circuit board features state-of-the-art surface mount technology. On the board are nonvolatile random access memory
(NVRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), flash memory
(ROM), a microprocessor running at 32 megahertz, direct
memory access (DMA) circuits, ABB Process Automation custom bus circuits, and various support circuitry. The board
attaches to the faceplate with two screws. The module assembly occupies one slot in a module mounting unit.
A processor bus adapter board is required for connection to the
Harmony I/O subsystem via Hnet. It also connects to a termination unit for two auxiliary serial I/O ports and IISAC01 stations. Redundant BRC modules and Hnet buses connect
through redundant PBA boards.
Hardware Application
Because of the superior performance of the BRC module, applications that formerly required an external mainframe or minicomputer can now be handled in the Harmony control unit.
The large memory space and on-board communication ports of
the BRC module enable it to meet the sophisticated control