Plant simulators using gateway devices

One of the most difficult tasks in building a full-scope power plant simulator is modelling the plant process computer. For reasons of cost, it is usually not feasible to include a duplicate process computer within the simulator, although this would provide the highest degree of realism. The recent introduction of gateway devices by several process control manufacturers changes the cost picture considerably. These gateways are capable of emulating Input/Output multiplexers and controllers at significantly less cost. Simulators which use these devices can provide the absolute realism of a duplicate process computer without the associated cost burden. This paper discusses the use of gateways in simulators, and examines the case of a simulator now being built which uses this design technique