Microprocessor-Based Industrial Controllers
In this lecture, we review the history and detail the concepts common to industrial controllers. We lay out the types of algorithms that are used and the conceptual basis for controller design.
A variety of microcontrollers are used. We will discuss the commonalities of these devices and then explore a sampling of specific devices commonly found in these applications.
It is important to understand actual applications in the field of Microprocessor-Based Industrial controllers. By studying these we can get a good grasp of the issues involved and the engineering process. In this first lecture on the topic, we will review various types of motor control. Control of motors in an industrial setting is a basic application.
Continuing the theme of giving specific application examples, we will look at other types of controllers. These will include topics such as burner control, tank level control and protective relay control.
One benefit of a microprocessor-based industrial controller is the increased capability for connectivity. This may include connectivity between controllers, as well as between controllers and higher-level control systems. It may also include HMI devices both local and remote. Finally, we will look at trends in the field.
Louis Giokas started out in the aerospace business holding positions in development and management. At General Electric Aerospace (now part of Lockheed Martin) he held positions of software engineer, systems engineer and staff engineer. While there he worked on spacecraft and military systems. Prior to that he worked for companies such as Sperry UNIVAC and Link Simulation Systems, also working or spacecraft and military systems. Over the past two decades he has worked in the database management software area for Oracle and IBM. Over the past several years he has worked on development projects and has consulted in a number of different areas, including embedded systems. He is a long-standing member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Currently, he is the secretary of the Fox Valley Subsection of the Chicago Section and chairman of the Computer Society of the Chicago Section. He has a degree in Computer Science from Villanova University and is pursuing a MS in Applied Statistics from DePaul University.