Industrial control systems require large amounts of data, such as images and voice signals, to be transmitted at high speeds, which has given rise to the popular combination of Ethernet and control networks in the commercial field. This wave of industrial control system networking has integrated various popular technologies such as embedded technology, multi standard industrial control network interconnection, wireless technology, etc., thereby expanding the development space of the industrial control field and bringing new development opportunities.

With the development of computer technology, communication technology, and control technology, the traditional control field is undergoing an unprecedented transformation and is beginning to move towards networking.

The structure of control systems has evolved from the initial CCS (Computer Centralized Control System), to the second-generation DCS (Distributed Control System), and now to the popular FCS (Field Bus Control System).

Development Trends

The development of computer and network technology is closely related to control systems. As early as the mid to late 1950s, computers were already applied to control systems. In the early 1960s, control systems that completely replaced analog control with computers emerged, known as Direct Digital Control (DDC). In the mid-1970s, with the emergence of microprocessors, computer control systems entered a new period of rapid development. In 1975, the world's first distributed computer control system based on microprocessors was introduced, which distributed control through multiple microprocessors and centralized management through data communication networks, known as Distributed Control System (DCS).

Control system

After entering the 1980s, people used microprocessors and some peripheral circuits to form digital instruments to replace analog instruments. This DDC control method improved the control accuracy and flexibility of the system, and had a performance price ratio that traditional analog instruments could not match in multi loop cyclic sampling and control.

In the mid to late 1980s, with the increasing complexity of industrial systems and the further increase in control circuits, a single DDC control system could no longer meet the requirements of on-site production control and management of production work. At the same time, the performance price ratio of small and medium-sized computers and microcomputers had greatly improved. As a result, hierarchical control systems that work together with small and medium-sized computers and microcomputers have been widely applied.

After entering the 1990s, due to the rapid development of computer network technology, DCS systems have been further developed, improving the reliability and maintainability of the system. DCS still occupies a dominant position in today's industrial control field. However, DCS does not have openness, complex wiring, high costs, and there are great difficulties in integrating products from different manufacturers.

Since the late 1980s, due to the development of large-scale integrated circuits, many field devices such as sensors, actuators, and drive devices have become intelligent. People began to seek to connect field devices with a unified communication protocol communication interface using a communication cable. At the device layer, what is transmitted is no longer I/O (4-20mA/24VDC) signals, but digital signals, which is called fieldbus. Due to its ability to solve the reliability and openness issues of network control systems, fieldbus technology has gradually become the development trend of computer control systems. Since then, some developed industrial countries and multinational industrial companies have successively launched their own fieldbus standards and related products, forming a trend of fierce competition.

Industrial control applies control principles and technical means to monitor, regulate, and control industrial processes, in order to achieve the goals of automation, efficiency, safety, and reliability in production processes. In modern industrial production, industrial control solutions are a crucial part, covering control requirements in various fields such as automation control systems, instrumentation, sensors, actuators, etc. This article will explore the significance, constituent elements, and implementation methods of industrial control.

1、 The significance of control principles

The design of industrial control schemes cannot be separated from the application of control principles. Control principle is a set of scientific principles and methods used to describe and solve various problems in control systems. It determines appropriate control algorithms and parameter settings through modeling and analysis of the system, enabling the system to respond stably and accurately to external changes. The application of control principles can improve the quality and efficiency of industrial production processes, reduce energy consumption, and maximize the satisfaction of user needs.

2、 Components of Industrial Control Solutions

1. Automated control system

The automation control system is the core part of industrial control solutions, which includes components such as sensors, actuators, controllers, and human-machine interfaces. Sensors are used to collect real-time data, such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, etc; The actuator is used to implement corresponding actions based on control signals. The controller is the core of the control system, which controls the process through functions such as computation, judgment, and feedback. The human-machine interface provides a friendly interactive platform for operators to understand and operate the control system.

2. Instrument equipment

Instrumentation equipment is a tool used to measure and display process parameters, such as thermometers, pressure gauges, flow meters, etc. They provide process variable information to operators through display instruments, recording instruments, and alarm instruments, and monitor the status of process operation. The accuracy and reliability of instrument equipment are crucial for the successful implementation of industrial control schemes.

3. Sensors and actuators

Sensors and actuators are key components in the automation control process. Sensors can convert physical quantities into electrical signals and transmit them to the controller. The executing agency receives instructions from the controller, generates corresponding actions, and changes a certain state in the production process. The choice and application of these two will directly affect the effectiveness and stability of industrial control solutions.