ABB Advant Master Series Modules: MDI32BIS

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

ABB Advant Master Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The ABB Advant Master (also referenced as the MASTERPIECE series in legacy documentation) is a distributed control system (DCS) platform developed by ABB and its predecessor ASEA. Deployed extensively across global heavy industry — including petrochemical refineries, nuclear power stations, pulp and paper mills, offshore platforms, and large-scale chemical processing plants — the Advant Master platform represents one of the most widely installed DCS architectures in the 20th and early 21st centuries. Its modular backplane architecture, deterministic scan cycle, and robust I/O subsystem made it the reference standard for continuous process control in high-availability environments. Installed base estimates place the Advant Master in thousands of facilities across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and the Americas, with many sites still operating original hardware under long-term maintenance agreements.

The Evolution of Advant Master Architecture

The Advant Master platform originated from ASEA's MASTERPIECE 200/1 system in the early 1980s, which introduced the concept of distributed intelligence via a proprietary MasterBus 300 fieldbus. The architecture evolved through several distinct generations:

Generation 1 – MASTERPIECE 200/1 (1982–1990): Single-board controllers with parallel backplane communication. Limited I/O density. Proprietary AMPL (Advant Master Programming Language) for function block programming.

Generation 2 – Advant Controller 110/160 (1990–1998): Introduction of the AC110 and AC160 controller families. Expanded I/O module range. MasterBus 300E extended the fieldbus bandwidth. Compatibility with PROFIBUS-DP adapters introduced in this era.

Generation 3 – Advant Controller 400/450 (1998–2008): Higher-density I/O, redundant controller options, integration with ABB's Industrial IT framework. The MDI32BIS belongs to the I/O module range compatible with this generation's backplane standard.

End-of-Life Transition (2008–present): ABB formally announced the migration path from Advant Master to the System 800xA platform. However, due to the scale of installed base and the capital cost of full DCS replacement, a significant proportion of sites continue to operate Advant Master hardware. ABB and authorized third-party suppliers continue to provide spare parts and repair services. The MDI32BIS and related modules are classified as mature/end-of-life products, making verified spare parts sourcing a critical operational requirement.

Advant Master Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent verified components within the ABB Advant Master / MASTERPIECE ecosystem, organized by functional category. Each module is compatible with the standard Advant Master backplane unless otherwise noted.

Digital Input Modules

MDI32BIS: 32-channel 24 VDC digital input module with galvanic isolation, status LED per channel, compatible with AC400/450 backplane.
MDI32B: 32-channel digital input module, non-isolated variant, standard 24 VDC logic level, lower cost alternative to MDI32BIS.
MDI16B: 16-channel 24 VDC digital input module, half-density format, used in space-constrained I/O racks.
MDI16BIS: 16-channel isolated digital input, galvanic isolation per group of 8, suitable for mixed-voltage field wiring environments.

Digital Output Modules

MDO32B: 32-channel 24 VDC digital output module, transistor output, 0.5 A per channel, short-circuit protected.
MDO16B: 16-channel digital output, relay contact type, 2 A per channel, suitable for direct actuator switching.
MDO16BIS: 16-channel isolated relay output module, group isolation, rated for 250 VAC field circuits.

Analog Input Modules

MAI08B: 8-channel analog input module, 4–20 mA / 0–10 V selectable, 12-bit resolution, used for process variable acquisition.
MAI16B: 16-channel analog input, multiplexed architecture, 12-bit ADC, standard process instrumentation interface.
MAI08BIS: 8-channel isolated analog input, individual channel isolation, 14-bit resolution, for high-accuracy measurement loops.

Analog Output Modules

MAO08B: 8-channel analog output, 4–20 mA, 12-bit DAC, used for control valve and positioner setpoint transmission.
MAO04BIS: 4-channel isolated analog output, 14-bit resolution, galvanic isolation per channel, for critical control loops.

Controller / CPU Modules

PM511V16: Advant Controller 110 processor module, 16 MHz CPU, supports up to 2,000 function blocks, primary controller for small-to-mid-scale applications.
PM864A: Advant Controller 800xA-compatible processor, used in AC800M systems, backward-compatible I/O interface via S800 I/O bus.
PM150V08: MASTERPIECE 200/1 era processor module, 8 MHz, legacy compatibility only, no longer manufactured.

Communication & Fieldbus Adapters

CI522A: PROFIBUS-DP communication interface module, master/slave configurable, supports up to 125 nodes on MasterBus 300E.
CI532V02: MasterBus 300 fieldbus interface, used for inter-controller communication in multi-AC110 configurations.
CI810B: AF100 fieldbus adapter for S800 I/O, bridges Advant Master backplane to remote I/O clusters.

Power Supply Modules

SS822: 24 VDC system power supply, 10 A output, redundancy-capable, standard rack power source for Advant Master I/O stations.
SS832: Redundant power supply module, hot-swap capable, used in high-availability process control configurations.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete Advant Master Parts

The ABB Advant Master series entered formal end-of-life status progressively between 2008 and 2015. ABB's own spare parts availability for many modules — including the MDI32BIS — is now limited or subject to extended lead times. For facilities operating under long-term maintenance contracts or deferring full DCS migration, third-party sourcing of verified spare parts is the primary supply chain strategy.

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of Advant Master modules sourced from decommissioned plant equipment, authorized surplus channels, and direct manufacturer overstock. Our procurement team actively tracks global availability of end-of-life ABB modules, including the MDI32BIS, MDO32B, MAI08BIS, PM511V16, and CI522A. All units are catalogued by firmware revision and hardware revision code to ensure backplane compatibility before dispatch.

For sites requiring long-term lifecycle support — including multi-year supply agreements, consignment stock arrangements, or emergency same-day dispatch — contact DriveKNMS directly with your bill of materials.

Quality Control for the Advant Master Range

Advant Master modules use a proprietary backplane bus protocol that requires functional validation beyond standard power-on testing. DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all Advant Master modules prior to shipment:

Visual Inspection: PCB examination for corrosion, capacitor bulge, solder joint fatigue, and connector pin integrity. Backplane edge connector cleaning and re-tinning where required.

Power-On Functional Test: Module inserted into a live Advant Master test rack. Power rail voltages verified at +5 V, +15 V, and −15 V. Status LED sequence confirmed against factory specification.

I/O Channel Verification: For digital input modules (MDI32BIS, MDI32B, MDI16B): all 32/16 channels stimulated with 24 VDC test signal. Channel status register read via MasterBus 300 protocol and compared against expected bit map. For analog modules: calibration verified against NIST-traceable reference signal generator. Offset and gain error measured and documented.

Communication Bus Test: Module communication response verified on MasterBus 300E test segment. Node address assignment and data throughput confirmed at rated scan rate.

Burn-In: Modules subjected to 48-hour powered burn-in at 40°C ambient to screen early-life failures before shipment.

All test results are documented and available upon request with each shipment.