• RadServ
• RadServ PT

eDNA

RadServ is a reliable and cost effective solution for centralized monitoring and control of radiation field units. RadServ process improvements modernize your radiation monitoring system, maximize RMS system run time, and overcome problems associated with material and support obsolescence.

RadServ Features Include:

InStep Software, LLC provides a full line of RadServ products designed to assist you with managing, operating, and maintaining your RMS system. Other products include:

• RadServ Portable Terminal
• RadServ Field Unit Simulator
• ERDS and Emergency Response Interface
• RadServ Training System

Additionally, you will find information in this document referring to eDNA, InStep Software's real-time plant information system. eDNA is a real-time data historian that captures, analyzes and stores real-time data by monitoring equipment and business systems, enabling optimal decision support for increased productivity and efficiency.

Physical System Overview

RadServ is an alternative for CT or SS1 equipment. A RadServ installation begins at the communication line drivers. Communication from the line drivers is converted from TTL to RS232. If desired, RS232 communication can be extended using serial to Ethernet conversion devices. Communication extension is used when the monitoring station needs to be relocated. Input from the communication line(s) is fed into a standard computer platform. Site hardware standards are supported by the platform while eliminating proprietary vendor equipment.

RadServ peripherals such as printers, storage devices, and displays are standard and available equipment. Moving from specialized to standard devices decreases up front costs as well as long term maintenance costs. RadServ systems are built to provide communication to other plant equipment and processes that need to know the status of measure values and alarm conditions. Placing RadServ information into a TSC, EOF, or even to all site desktop PCs is accomplished without requiring expenditures for additional hardware.

Technical Overview

RadServ uses established eDNA Real Time Solutions as the basis for system functionality. The RadServ Real Time Service module communicates with field units and field unit channels. As with all eDNA real time services, the RadServ module is fully integrated with other eDNA real time service modules. In a RadServ system, the RadServ module integrates with a historian/archive service, configuration manager services, a security service, an alarm service, a real time calculation service, an executive control service, and a communication service.

All field unit information and commands are fully integrated with each other by the communication established between the integrated eDNA service modules that make up a RadServ system. The tight integration and communication of eDNA service modules with one another provide positive control and 100% accuracy.

All eDNA Real Time Services modules can be mixed or matched. If more functionality is desired for a particular RadServ system, additional service modules are easily implemented. In some systems automatic notification via email and/or alphanumeric pagers may be employed by using the eDNA Notification Service module. In other systems, access to the plant process computer may be provided using an eDNA PPC Service module while additional data is obtained and sent to site databases using the eDNA ODBC Service module. The flexibility of RadServ make it ideal to support numerous existing processes in a single packaged system.

RadServ Reports

Report generation in a RadServ system is provided directly into Microsoft Excel. Reports are automatically generated to record source-check results, parameter edits, channel checks, and routine system performance audits. The use of tested and well-designed reports decreases the amount of time spent monitoring the RMS system and provides reporting consistency. Reports that access both current and historical information optimize the effectiveness of RadServ as a tool to monitor equipment degradation and site radiological conditions. An example RadServ Source Check Report is shown below.

RadServ Displays

Data monitored by or sent from the services modules is made available to operators and technicians through standard eDNA Real Time HMI modules. The graphics modules in a RadServ system is eDNA View. View is an interactive and dynamic graphical user interface integrated with RadServ current value information. An example of channel control and monitoring features in a RadServ system is shown to the right.

RadServ Displays

Monitoring and control of field units is consistent with channel level control and monitoring. Field unit global information is conveniently grouped to impart understanding and ensure field unit operations are uniquely identified from channel level operations. Critical control commands initiated from RadServ displays are validation checked with a secondary action prior to the command being issued. After the command is issued, response to the command is quickly displayed on the same screen from which the command was activated. Command and control is positive and exact. All commands and their corresponding response are recorded into RadServ¡¯s history. Analysis and troubleshooting of events is available using the RadServ Audit Report. With this report, any time frame and any set of historical values can be quickly viewed and printed out.

RadServ Graphs and Trends

eDNA Trend is a very efficient and effective trending tool. Many years of historically compressed data is quickly sent to Trend then uncompressed to give rapid response to the trend request. Trend¡¯s multiple formats enable trend to plot the same value against different time frames, to plot different values in different time frames on different scales, and other formats that ensure data is displayed in the most useful manner available.
With a simple mouse click all information in a trend is sent to a text file that is automatically read by Microsoft Excel. Time and date information, status or alarm information and system values are provided exactly as the value was originally reported from the field unit.

Operational Overview

RadServ increases operational awareness by relating RMS system operation and response with other critical operations. Some of RadServ¡¯s operational features include:

• Tech Spec, ODCM or other requirements shown on displays
• Identification of values that cause isolations or actuations
• Power supply and location information maintained on screen or available by mouse click command
• Plant layout and elevation drawings overlaid with monitored information
• Event entry conditions displayed at event levels or other desired conditions

InStep provides fully configured and tested displays designed to meet your operational needs. An example RadServ display screen is shown below.

Performance Overview

RadServ features add positive value to your RMS system. Individual threading of communication lines, multiple automatic retries on communication interrupts, individual polling control at the field unit level, point and click trending, and user friendly graphics are some of the RadServ value added features. The main factors in a RadServ decision are, however, dependability and reliability. The reliability and dependability of RadServ eliminates the need for unwarranted redundancy. The resultant high availability of RadServ further reduces maintenance man-hours and decreases specialized resources for upkeep and repair.

RadServ simplifies RMS operation by making the response and performance of detection devices easier to understand. Increased understanding decreases the potential for errors during routine operation. During exercises and other high stress situations the understandability, ease of operation, and usefulness of RadServ can help mitigate unwanted conditions or results.

Installation

RadServ configuration, testing, and installation can be accomplished in a matter of weeks. Data needed to parameterize RadServ to your needs is minimal. With data and requirements available, the RadServ team can quickly prepare and test your system.