Centaurus Prime

UMCS/SCADA/FMS Investigative and Design Expertise, Various Locations, Naval Facilities in San Diego (through Karlin Canfield, NFESC and John Thomas, PWC-San Diego).  Centaurus Prime provides programming, systems analysis, and engineering services for investigating HVAC/EMCS, SCADA, UMCS issues, and integration of data between the various systems (UMCS, SCADA, EMCS).  This involved checking, investigating, and rehabilitating existing inoperable systems.  We have created, commissioned, tested, and validated data transfer mechanisms (SQL, DDE, Ethernet/IP, flat-file, etc.) between the various base systems.  We have implemented alarm and run-time event systems to trigger the San Diego area-wide maintenance management program (MAXIMO) with real-time data from SCADA and EMCS systems.  We programmed custom interfaces to a proprietary, one-off telemetry system (DAQ) that relays SDG&E’s electrical grid consumption to the base EMCS for subsequent load-shedding (and rate reduction).  We provided support for other vendors and contractors who are required by specification to interface to the existing SCADA or EMCS systems (e.g., BTU metering systems).  Centaurus Prime has provided advice, conceptual system designs, preliminary cost estimates, and controls options analyses for all base-wide real-time systems.  In addition, we have provided installation support, commissioning, test plans, validation, testing, and documentation for these systems

Design, Programming, Commissioning and Engineering Services, EMCS, FMS, UCS, ESS, UMCS & SCADA systems for various U.S. Government bases.  As “Responsible Principal”, Centaurus Prime has provided on-site services to program the following systems to (a) meet specifications, (b) upgrade or enhance operations, (c) interface with existing and obsolete equipment, or (d) repair/revise flawed systems and/or software: 

In addition, at some sites, Centaurus Prime did other work, such as field commissioning, testing, design analysis, graphics and database generation, and Factory and Acceptance Test management.  In most cases, the interfaces with existing equipment required reverse-engineering of protocols (serial, Ethernet, coax, current-loop, etc.), and sometimes in a hostile environment (without co-operation of the vendor, or active misinformation from the vendor.  

Studies for Smithsonian Institute Security Systems (Phase 1:  Failure Modes and Solutions; Phase 2: Year-2000 Susceptibility).  Centaurus Prime was contracted to be the Software Specialist for the Smithsonian Security Systems Analysis projects.  This involved a first-phase of emergency analysis and repair to one of the five Smithsonian sub-master systems (a one-off system by Hughes; subsequently abandoned).  With several field panel hardware patches (full ground plane, multi-point power feed, static protection, etc.) and numerous software fixes, the Museum of Natural History system was resurrected.  SI staff was trained by Centaurus Prime personnel on the hardware modifications that had to be done on the rest of the Smithsonian buildings, to make a robust, reliable security system.  The second phase involved an analysis of the year-2000 issues with the VAX hardware, software, and DECnet communications.  Rigorous testing and software investigation revealed that the system clocks could be set back to 1987 and DECnet eliminated (to create five “island systems” rather than the existing master & submaster architecture).  This allowed correct operations past 31 December, 1999, eliminating the need for $40M in emergency funding to replace these antique systems.

Systems Analysis and Re-creation of Acceptance Test.  Oak-Adec versus United States of America .  For Randy Braemer, Defense attorney, Department of Justice.  Centaurus Prime (Bob Caldwell, as an expert witness) was brought in by the DOJ to spearhead the successful defense of a $70M frivolous lawsuit by Oak-Adec by demonstrating that the Acceptance Test was fraudulently conducted.