In December 2016, Avilex installed a visualization system at the Operations Control Center of Gazprom Gazoraspredeleniye Tver JSC providing gas supply, construction and operation of gas networks in the Tver Region.
The large-screen display (video wall) at the Operations Control Center allows for monitoring, analysis and management of the situation at the monitored sites and processes with the possibility to present information in a comprehensive manner in the form of mnemonic diagrams, tables, reports, and images from workstations to assist in daily operations and support the solution-finding and decision-making processes, including those regarding non-routine and emergency situations.
Some of the main advantages of the chosen display technology include the following:
• A sufficiently high data capacity of the large-screen display to simultaneously display large amounts of highly detailed information;
• Compliance with the ergonomic standards for operations control rooms;
• Optimal physical dimensions of the large-screen display;
• A high brightness and contrast of the screen regardless of the external lighting;
• Possibility to display image from sources without impairing the quality of video signal;
• Possibility of automated control of the display of information;
• Frontal access for maintenance and possibility to install the screen close to the wall;
• High reliability, resilience and maintainability.
The dimensions of the screen were determined based on the resolution (in pixels) required for the display of necessary content and ergonomic parameters, such as the distance to operator workstations, optimal viewing angles, and the height of symbols to be displayed.
Based on design survey, it was decided to build a video wall using nine (3х3) specialized professional Mitsubishi LM55P2 LCD displays with a screen diagonal of 55 inches.
The video screen has an overall resolution of 5,760 x 3,240 pixels and the wall size is 3,650 x 2,060 mm.
To install the large screen display close to the wall and provide frontal access for maintenance, we developed and assembled a unique metal structure allowing for mounting Mitsubishi BR-LM1KK display brackets at a given height above the floor level.
A Datapath VSN990 high-performance multi-channel image processor is used to form an image on the video wall, creating a single information space with a resolution equal to the overall resolution of the video wall. The number of video outputs on the multi-channel processor is equal to the number of LCD displays comprising the video wall. Video inputs are available for connecting workstations and arbitrary applications can be run in full resolution. With the help of specialized software of the multi-channel processor, images from running applications and graphic windows from physically connected workstations, automated workstations in the local network, video cameras and other video signal sources can be combined on the screen.
An operator workstation features functions, such as managing remote workstations via an external console through an Extron SW4 USB switch and viewing video sources on local test LCD monitors. Moreover, the operator workstation can connect to the video wall using the HDMI/DVI interface of brought-in devices (workstations, all-in-one PCs, laptops, etc.).
A set of control equipment including an AMX NX-1200 controller and an AMX MST-701 touch panel was provided to easily manage the main components of the system.
An intuitive graphical user interface was developed for the touch control panel fully in line with all customer requirements.
The system equipment for image generation, central switching and control of the operations control center has digital paths for the transmission of signals via fiber-optic lines; therefore it was possible to install the core equipment in a specially designated server room.
The technical solution implemented for the operations control center fully meets the customer’s requirements and is highly appreciated by employees and executives of Gazprom Gazoraspredeleniye Tver JSC.