Spring-clean below deck with Module Type Package

MTP reduces the complexity throughout the shipbuilding value chain

MTP describes the standardization of communication between systems and control level in a functional way, i.e. manufacturer and technology-neutral. This reduces complexity for all of the parties involved throughout the shipbuilding value chain and makes maritime digitization much easier. This is a major concern for shipyards. However, every other level of the shipbuilding value chain also benefits greatly from MTP.

"We have been manufacturing modular separation technology products for more than 20 years. Each individual component has to be integrated into the higher-level automation system of the entire plant," explains Matthias Wiemann, Head of Automation and Controls for GEA Separators. "If both the control system and the components to be added spoke the same language, things would go just as smoothly as integrating a printer into a PC using a printer driver today."

Function modules work with their own programmable logic controller (PLC) which ultimately enables decentralized control networking on board a ship. The respective PLC is then integrated into the ship automation via the MTP. The MTP is completely defined as a standardized interface. "This is where our GEA IO control system comes into play with the process technology on board", explains Sven Jadzinski, Sales Manager for the global marine business at GEA. "We use the platform-independent, service-oriented 'Open Platform Communications - Unified Architecture' (OPC UA) as the data exchange standard. This latest generation of OPC provides the controller with the appropriate communication protocol. This creates multiple OPC nodes per element (e.g. valve = 20 variables). As the information about the meaning of the variables is also essential for correct processing (for example: setpoint or substitute value), this information also has to be modeled in the MTP. Furthermore, the GEA IO control of a separator enables all of the variables required for communication with the control system to be loaded into the OPC UA server of the PLC in compliance with the standards," says Sven Jadzinski. This standardized communication between the individual modules and the control system on board significantly reduces complexity. This enhances the efficiency of both the integration and commissioning of the components.