The current version of Base Station is Version 5.0.  It was released in April 2004.  For those who may still be using the obsolete Version 3.0, this page presents a summary of the new features added at Version 4.0.  After you have reviewed this page, use your browser's Back button or the "up" menu buttons on this page to return to the Base Station 5.0 page which describes the 4.0 to 5.0 additions.

This Summary describes the most notable new features and significant improvements to existing functions that were added in moving forward from version 3.0.11 to version 4.0 of Cornerstone Base Station.  New versions of Cornerstone Configurator and Cornerstone Field Station software were released to maintain compatibility with Base Station 4.0.  General statements made about Base Station that refer to common functions contained in Field Station, are also true for that model. 

New Libraries

New versions of all optional components for Base Station, Field Station and Configurator were released with Version 4.0 of all three of these products.  There are new libraries, updated libraries to support newer instrument revisions, and some new features in existing libraries.  Previous 3.0.xx or earlier versions of these components will not work with Base Station 4.0.

This section lists only the CalLibs, ModLibs and ComLibs that were added, or that had been significantly updated, since the previous version of Base Station (3.0.11).  Complete listings of all currently available libraries are presented in other pages on this site.  You can use the hyperlinks shown in the text below.

New CalLibs

With the release of Base Station version 4.0, updated versions of the following optional CalLibs were made available.  These new CalLib versions contain new features, performance improvements, or upgrades to interface new calibrator hardware or firmware.

For a complete list of the currently available Calibrator libraries, which could include additional CalLibs added since the release of version 4.0, please access our Calibrator Libraries page.

New ModLibs

A number of new optional ModLibs were made available.  Several ModLibs were updated to support new instrument versions.  Only the ModLibs that were added or updated since the previous Base Station release (version 3.0.11) are listed below.  For a complete list of the currently available interface libraries, which could include additional ModLibs added since the release of version 4.0, please access our Model Libraries page.

ABB Automation ModLib Package

Honeywell ModLib Package

Rosemount ModLib Package

Yokogawa ModLib Package

New ComLibs

ABB Automation

A new ComLib was released for the ABB Automation Advant AC400 to interface Cornerstone software to the new ABB HART interface equipment.

R. Stahl

A new ComLib was released for the new Stahl I.S.1 HART interface equipment.  In addition, a new model of the Stahl ComLib for all Stahl HART multiplexer models was made available that can manage up to eight separate field instrument networks (on up to 8 COM ports).

For a complete list of the currently available Communication interface libraries, please access our Comm Libraries page.

New Features

Instrument Directory Window

The primary functional improvement, and the principal driving reason behind the Cornerstone Base Station 4.0 release, is the graphical Instrument Directory window and its associated functions.

The Instrument Directory window constitutes a new paradigm for your access to Cornerstone instrument data and maintenance management functions.  In previous versions of Base Station, access to instruments and functions was done by first selecting a function window (e.g. Database, History, Reports, etc.).  Then, you used an instrument selection mechanism provided in that function window to select an instrument to work with.  The new 4.0 Instrument Directory window turns that process around so that you can now “browse” your instrument database first, to select an instrument to work with, and then you select the type of function you wish to perform.  At that point, the desired function window is opened with the instrument already selected for action.  In version 4.0, the function windows operate as they always did.  And, if you wish, you can use them in exactly the same way you did in previous versions.  But once you learn the powerful organizational capabilities of the Instrument Directory, you will want to use it for most of your access to Cornerstone data and functions.

The Instrument Directory window is a “split-screen” display.  On the left, it shows graphical hierarchical views of your database and your instruments.  The Database Structure View depicts a “tree” structure with 5 organizational levels where all deployed instruments are assigned.  You have complete control over the names of the organizational levels (e.g. plant, enterprise, building, area, unit, etc.).  You also define the individual areas within each level and you assign instruments to the appropriate lower level of the hierarchy.  This structure is used to set up a model of the actual functional organization of your facility.  Then, using this model, you can more easily access the instruments you need for a specific objective.

For those systems that use HART multiplexer hardware to provide full time on-line access to HART instruments, a second graphical display called a Connection View is provided in the Instrument Directory window.  This view is a hierarchical view of the actual physical instrument connection, showing the HART field networks and HART multiplexer nodes that connect to the instruments in the field.

The right hand side of the split screen Instrument Directory window shows a columnar listing of the instruments assigned to a selected area of the Database Structure View or the instruments that are attached to a selected HART multiplexer node in the Connection View.  The Instrument List is a very flexible presentation of key instrument data that includes

In this list, several key attributes are depicted with a pictorial icon that helps you to quickly scan the list to find the instrument you need.

In the Instrument List, you can set up which columns you want displayed, the sizes of the columns, and the sort order of the list.

When you select an instrument, a context menu (right click of the mouse) presents you with the functions that can be performed on that instrument.  The key functions available for a selected instrument in the list are Connect, History, Configuration (database), and View.

Within the new Instrument Directory window, you will find all of the setup and other functions you will need to set up your database structure hierarchy, assign instruments to areas, move instruments, and so on.  Various instrument reports can be produced directly from this window.  Exports of instrument data and calibration history data can be initiated from the Instrument Directory.

Microsoft Windows 2000 Compatibility

Cornerstone Base Station and most of its optional components are now compatible with Windows 2000 Professional and Windows 2000 Server.  As of the writing of this document, the following item is the only Base Station component that can not be used with Windows 2000:

Compatible with new Configurator 4.0

A new version of Cornerstone Configurator software was released at the same time as Base Station 4.0.  Configurator 4.0 can upload its database into Base Station 4.0.  Note that earlier versions of Configurator (earlier than 4.0) cannot upload their database to Base Station 4.0, due to additions to the database schema.

Compatible with new Field Station 4.0

A new version of Cornerstone Field Station software was released at the same time as Base Station 4.0.  Field Station 4.0 has compatible database additions to Base Station so that it can accept a download and upload its database into Base Station 4.0.  Note that earlier versions of Field Station cannot exchange their databases with Base Station 4.0.  Since Field Station software is a subset of the Base Station, Field Station inherits many of the functional changes documented here.

New Printed Reports

As part of the new graphical Instrument Directory window, the following new printed reports have been added.

Help Navigator Button Removed

In the previous version, Base Station provided a special “Navigator” button under the help menu bar to raise a pictorial table of contents for the help system.  Since similar features are now a standard part of Windows 98 (and later) help, this Navigator button has been removed so that the standard Windows help features can be employed.

New Units

Support has been added for a variety of new measurement units.  The latest unit codes and strings that have been defined by the HART protocol specification and/or the HART Communication Foundation (HCF), have been added to the Cornerstone database files.  In addition, specific units requested by our customers that are not defined in the HART protocol are routinely added into new releases.  Print the Export Tables for a complete list of the units currently supported.  Or, add an instrument of Type universal device (UD), and select the pull-down list for input or output range units in the Edit Instrument dialog boxes.  That pull-down list will show you all units available in Base Station.

New HART Manufacturers, Models, Units

The latest codes and strings for manufacturers, models, and units that have been defined by the HART protocol specification and/or the HART Communication Foundation (HCF), have been added to the Cornerstone database files.

Modifications

The following items constitute significant changes or enhancements of existing functions in the software.

Import Function Enhanced

In version 4.0, you can now use the database import facility to effectively make batch edits of selected fields in your existing instrument configuration records.  The procedure for this is simple and powerful.  First, select the instruments you want to change and export those records.  Then import them into a spreadsheet.  Next, copy a special symbol “#”, into all those fields that should remain unchanged in those records.  Now edit the fields that you which to be changed and export the spreadsheet file, creating the Cornerstone import file.  Finally, use the Cornerstone Database-Utilities-Import function to import those records and make the selected field edits.

In addition, you can now identify instruments for import edits by specifying only a unique tag, instead of specifying manufacturer, model, and ID (which you may still do, and must do if your tags are not unique).

User Selection of Off-line Edit Parameters to be Downloaded to HART Instruments

Upon making a connection to a HART instrument, you are presented with a dialog box called Reconcile Instrument Parameters.  In previous versions, this box had only two options.  One accepts the configuration data found in the instrument (and updates the database to match, i.e. a “reconcile”).  The other option writes all off-line edited parameters to the instrument (if edits had been made in the database).  In version 4.0, there is now a powerful new third option to write to the instrument only the specific off-line edit parameter changes that you select from those that are stored in the database.  Using check boxes, the enhanced Reconcile Instrument Parameters dialog box now allows you to select only those off-line edit parameters that you wish to send to the instrument.

An additional enhancement to this dialog box is your ability to re-size the columns in the dialog that display the list of parameters and off-line edit data values.

Replicate Instrument Function Enhanced

In previous versions, the Database function to Replicate an Instrumentrecord did not automatically copy the calibration Setup Advisory and Wrapup Advisory text to the new instrument.  In version 4.0, the Advisory text is optionally replicated to the new instrument.

Select Instrument from List Enhanced

In version 4.0, the common Select Instrument from List dialog box, that is used in Database, History, and other windows, has been enhanced to look and perform like the new Instrument List portion of the Instrument Directory window.  The list now contains pictorial icons for several instrument attributes.  It also includes the same column sizing, column visibility, and sorting features.

Print Selected Instrument Enhanced

In version 4.0, the Database window function to select and choose instruments for printed configuration reports, has been enhanced to look and perform like the new Instrument List portion of the Instrument Directory window.  The list now contains pictorial icons for several instrument attributes.  It also includes the same column sizing, column visibility, and sorting features.

Configuration Tracking Interval User Selectable

In version 4.0, the Configuration Tracking function provided in the optional Instrument Status Monitor module, can now be initiated on demand and you can specify the time interval for automatic running of Configuration Tracking.

Network Learn Performance Improvement

In version 4.0, the Enhanced Network Learn function, provided in the optional Instrument Status Monitor module, now allows you the option of turning off automated scanning during the Network Learn and database reconciliation process.  This is a considerable performance improvement, especially for an on-line Cornerstone system with a large population of connected instruments.

New Icons Displayed Throughout

The new icons indicating instrument type and Category at a glance are now shown in applicable locations in other windows:  Database, HART Comm, Conventional, Docking, and History.

Assign Icons to Instrument Categories

The Database-Setup-Category function has been enhanced to allow you to assign an icon to a Cornerstone standard Category or to a user added instrument Category.

New Docking Window Features

The Add Multiple Instruments to Route function has been enhanced to display a list that is now similar to the new Instrument Directory list.  It includes the new icon representation for instruments, Category, and other properties so that you can quickly recognize the instruments needed in a route.  Especially notable is a new feature that provides an icon for the Service Due date.  The icon quickly shows whether the instrument is due for calibration now, or due soon, or not due.  You can set the “due soon” time span for your requirements.

The route tree display itself has also been enhanced to now depict the instruments assigned to a route, but no yet downloaded to a calibrator, using the new instrument type icons.

The Docking window now has a context (right click) menu that provides quick access to Docking window functions from any location in the window, without having to move the cursor up to the menu bar.

Field Station Upload is More Flexible

In previous versions, the Route that was downloaded to the Field Station was required to still have an “InUse” status when an upload of database information from the Field Station was initiated.  The Field Station upload function has been enhanced in version 4.0 to allow the upload of Field Station data even if the route that was downloaded had been made available and is no longer known to be In Use on the Field Station.

Database File Name Changes

Some Cornerstone database file names include a number that indicates the revision of the database schema.  Since the schema has changed with this release, some of these file names have changed.  If you have built database save and restore scripts according to the recommendations in the section, then you should not have to make any changes to them.  However, if your backup mechanism specifies these files by their exact names, then you will need to modify them for this new release.  See that section in the version 4.0 User’s Manual or help for details.

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ã Copyright 2000-2005 Applied System Technologies, Inc.   All rights reserved.
Cornerstone and the Cornerstone logo are trademarks of Applied System Technologies, Inc. 
Specifications subject to change without notice.
This site was last updated on 17 May 2005.