Microcomputers For Process Control

Microcomputers for Process Control provides an introduction to microprocessor technology for process monitoring and control. The book begins with an overview of microprocessor applications in areas such as consumer products, factories, and telecommunications. This is followed by separate chapters that discuss microcomputer technology; electrical interface to enable plant monitoring and control by microcomputer; microcomputer system hardware and software; VDU-based plant monitoring systems; and methods of computer control. This book is aimed at practicing engineers in industry who wish to acquire a base of understanding of this technology and also to learn how microcomputers can actually be applied in real plant situations. Considerable emphasis is given to plant measurements, interfacing techniques and applications of microcomputers for plant monitoring and control. No prior knowledge of microprocessor technology is assumed, but some awareness of plant measurement and control problems will assist the reader. Students undertaking engineering courses which include microelectronics or process control studies should also find the text helpful.

The introduction of the microprocessor in computer and system engineering has motivated the development of many new concepts and has simplified the design of many modern industrial systems. During the first decade of their life. microprocessors have shown a tremendous evolution in all possible directions (technology. power. functionality. I/O handling. etc). Of course putting the microprocessors and their environmental devices into properly operating systems is a complex and difficult task requiring high skills for melding and integrating hardware. and systemic components. software This book was motivated by the editors' feeling that a cohesive reference is needed providing a good coverage of modern industrial applications of microprocessor-based real time control, together with latest advanced methodological issues. Unavoidably a single volume cannot be exhaustive. but the present book contains a sufficient number of important real-time applications. The book is divided in two sections. Section I deals with general hardware. software and systemic topics. and involves six chapters. Chapter 1. by Gupta and Toong. presents an overview of the development of microprocessors during their first twelve years of existence. Chapter 2. by Dasgupta. deals with a number of system software concepts for real time microprocessor-based systems (task scheduling. memory management. input-output aspects. programming language reqUirements.

This symposium brings together the research from different disciplines of process control, and discusses the problems encountered in the application of automation systems. The papers in this volume analyze the results of theoretical research and how far applications have been developed, new design methodologies and technologies, to give a comprehensive overview of the state of the art of this fast-developing science.

Microcomputers are having, and will have in the future, a significant impact on the technology of all fields of engineering. The applications of micro computers of various types that are now integrated into engineering include computers and programs for calculations, word processing, and graphics. The focus of this book is on still another objective-that of control. The forms of microcomputers used in control range from small boards dedicated to control a single device to microcomputers that oversee the operation of numerous smaller computers in a building complex or an industrial plant. The most dramatic growth in control applications recently has been in the microcom puters dedicated to control functions in automobiles, appliances, production machines, farm machines, and almost all devices where intelligent decisions are profitable. Both engineering schools and individual practicing engineers have re sponded in the past several years to the dramatic growth in microcomputer control applications in thermal and mechanical systems. Universities have established courses in computer control in such departments of engineering as mechanical, civil, agricultural, chemical and others. Instructors and students in these courses see a clear role in the field that complements that of the com puter specialist who usually has an electrical engineering or computer science background. The nonEE or nonCS person should first and foremost be com petent in the mechanical or thermal system being controlled. The objectives of extending familiarity into the computer controller are (1) to learn the char acteristics, limitations, and capabilit.