The current version of Configurator 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 Configurator 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 the previous version 3.0.11 to version 4.0 of Cornerstone Configurator.

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 Configurator 4.0.

This section lists only the ModLibs and ComLibs that were new, or that had been significantly updated, since the previous version of Configurator (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 ModLibs

A number of new optional ModLibs were made available.  Several ModLibs were updated to support new instrument versions.  Only the ModLibs that were new or had been updated since the previous Configurator release (version 3.0.11) are listed below.  For a complete list of the currently available interface libraries, 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

Microsoft Windows 2000 Compatibility

Cornerstone Configurator 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 Configurator component that can not be used with Windows 2000:

Help Navigator Button Removed

In the previous version, Configurator 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.  Print the Export Tables for a complete list of the units currently supported.

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.

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.

Select Instrument from List Enhanced

In version 4.0, the common Select Instrument From List dialog box, that is used in the Database window, has been enhanced.  The list now contains pictorial icons for several instrument attributes.  It also includes 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.  The list now contains pictorial icons for several instrument attributes.  It also includes 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.

Click here to see the new configuration tracking options.

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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.