title: Multi-loop networked process control: a synchronized approach.
abstract: Modern day process control uses digital controllers which are based on the principle of distributed rather than centralized control. Distributing controllers, sensors and actuators across a plant entails considerable wiring which can be reduced substantially by integrating the components of a control loop over a network. The other advantages include greater flexibility and higher reliability with lower hardware redundancy. The controllers and sensors are on a network and can take over the function of a failed component automatically, without the need of manual reconfiguration, thus eliminating the need of having a redundant component for each and every component. Though elaborate techniques have been developed for Single Input Single Output (SISO) systems, the major challenge lies in extending these ideas to control a practical process plant where de-centralized control is actually achieved through control of individual SISO control loops derived through de-coupling of the original system. Multiple loops increase network load and hence the sampling times associated with the control loops and makes synchronization difficult. This paper presents a methodology by which network based process control can be applied to practical process plants, with a simple direct synchronization mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Power Engineering Department, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Goswami
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Chandra
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balasubramanian
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Luksch
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta