Marine Cybernetics AS
Profile
Marine Cybernetics contributes to safer and more profitable ships and offshore installations through third party testing of computer control systems using superior Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) testing technology. MC works on the basis of Quality, Integrity and Customer Value in the support of our customers needs.
Address
Vestre Rosten 77
Tiller, 7075
Norway
Phone: 47 911 01729
Products
Name: Third party testing of control system software
Description: Third party testing enables detection and correction of software errors prior to installation onboard the vessel.
Details:
Third party testing and verification of control system software
Drilling control systems
DP computer systems
Power management systems
Steering, propulsion and thruster control systems
Crane control systems
BOP computer systems
Managed pressure drilling
Dual gradient drilling
Emergency shutdown systems
Vessel management and monitoring systems
Other safety- or mission-critical control systems
Name: Drill-HIL testing
Description: The scope of Drill-HIL testing is to detect hidden software errors, erroneous configuration parameters, and design flaws in the Drilling Control System software before it is taken into use onboard the vessel or rig.
Details:
Drill-HIL testing
A modern drill-floor consists of sophisticated computer controlled drilling machines, often delivered by several suppliers.These are advanced computer controlled systems that rely on software to function properly. Failures in the control system software will affect safety and lead to non-productive time. Functionality and failure-handling capability in single machines, integrated functions, automatic modes and the anti-collision system is extensively tested using state-of-the-art HIL testing technology.
Name: BOP-HIL testing
Description: BOP-HIL testing is to test and verify the functionality and failure-handling capability of the BOP control system software before it is taken into use before commencement of operations onboard the rig.
Details:
A modern blow-out preventer (BOP) relies on a sophisticated redundant computer system to achieve desired performance and safety. It must work seamlessly with sensors, accumulators, hot swap between redundant PLC’s and emergency systems. Failures in the control system software will affect safety and may lead to non-productive time.
Marine Cybernetics's testing will detect hidden software errors, erroneous configuration parameters, and design flaws using state-of-the-art HIL testing technology. HIL testing can also be used for testing of software upgrades, troubleshooting and periodic testing throughout the BOP lifecycle.
Press Releases
CyberSea HIL testing technology
Marine Cybernetics utilizes our CyberSea Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) technology to test and verify control system software. HIL testing is a well proven test methodology from automotive, avionics, space, power electronics, robotics, and nuclear industries. It facilitates systematic testing of control system design philosophy, functionality, performance, and failure handling capability, both in normal and off-design operating conditions. HIL testing is performed in a virtual test-bed where there is no risk to man, vessel, or equipment.
Simulator based testing
HIL testing is accomplished by connecting the control system to a vessel specific simulator of the ship or offshore installation. The HIL simulator responds to control signals in a realistic manner, and provides realistic and consistent measurements. The control system cannot sense any difference between the real world and the virtual world in the HIL simulator. The control system is then tested in realistic operating conditions and failure scenarios based on a vessel specific test program that accounts for the actual equipment, design and operational philosophy of the vessel.
Key benefits of HIL testing'
Earlier, deeper and broader testing
Testing of scenarios that would be difficult, dangerous, or costly to test onboard the vessel
Testing of safety critical software barriers that otherwise cannot be tested before they are needed
Testing at a time and place that fits in with the vessel construction or operation
Testing with replica hardware in a lab setup
Integration testing of control systems from several vendors
Marine Cybernetics has been in the Industry for over 10 years as the World Leader of HIL Testing.
Marine Cybernetics was founded in 2002 by four professors from NTNU, Norwegians University of Science and Technology. Our headquarters are located in Trondheim, Norway and we have two departments abroad; Houston and Rio.
Marine Cybernetics is an independant Verification & Validation organization. We have introduced Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) testing to the offshore and maritime industry in cooperation with major industry partners. Our main goal is to help assure our customer's success in building, maintaining and operating thier assets. We achieve this by maintaining integrity and responsibility inherent in our third pary role and a continuous focus on delivereing the right quality in our products and serivces.
Marine Cybernetics has over 80 employees representing over 12 countries worldwide. We are a young, vibrant and dynamic company with an international background and the tools to succeed.
BOP patent awarded in Norway. Olav Egeland, Marine Cybernetics co-founder is credited with the invention.
Patent title: Method and System for Testing of a Multiplexed BOP Control System
The invention describes testing of a multipexed Blow-Out Preventer (BOP) control system consisting of a yellow and blue pod using a CyberSea signal simulator between control units and subsea control system, and CyberSea BOP simulator to partly or entirely replace the BOP stack.
Introduction
Blow out preventers are essential for safety in drilling operations. The BOP’s have complicated computer control systems, and it is of great importance to secure that these control systems perform adequately and effectively. Presently available testing methods are not sufficient to detect software errors in the computer control systems of the BOP's, and this may lead to problems that make it necessary to abort drilling operations and lift the BOP up from the seafloor to platform, or perform underwater repair. This will result in significant additional costs of drilling as the rig will be out of operation for one day or more. Moreover, software errors in the BOP control systems may lead to potentially dangerous situations that can cause a blowout
The invention
An important feature of the invention is to use simulators and connect to different parts of a multiplexed BOP control system to test that BOP control system run according to specifications, rules and regulation and that failure situations are handled adequately and effectively by the multiplexed BOP system.
The patent comprises test system for a multiplexed BOP control system consisting of a first and a second redundant central control unit with first and second operator consoles. The central control units are connected to first and second redundant (yellow and blue POD) subsea control system, the BOP, using a signal transmission system. A signal simulator may entirely or partly replacing signal transmission system and providing simulated signals between one or more of control units and one or more of subsea control systems, while a BOP simulator may partly or entirely replace the BOP valves and sensors and provide simulated signals to the subsea control system.
The invention is extended to also include testing of multiplexed BOP control system with more than two redundant systems.
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