The list was based on an equipment list provided by PNC and included manipulator systems, cranes, transporters, and closed-circuit television systems. Functions are tasks performed by operators in the control room while operating equipment located in the remote area. Function groups are sets of related functions that must be performed to operate each piece of equipment. For examples, a crane has several functions, including movement in two dimensions, rotation of the hoist, and raising and lowering the crane hook. These functions may be combined into a group which is the set of all functions necessary for control of the crane.
Function groups are the building blocks of physical workstations.
By combining functional groups, physical workstations may be developed. Third, function groups were combined into workstations. Workstations were constructed to allow operators to perform tasks in the remote area. For example, to remove a module from an equipment rack, a crane operator must control the crane and be able to operate television cameras. This requires that camera control and crane control functions be present at one workstation.