Control Packages for Programmable Digital Instrumentation

摘要

Control methods that utilize processor based controllers still rely on the basic sensors and measurements that have traditionally been used for the control of process units complex methods sometimes obscure the instrumentation problems that still persist. Control packages based on the process physics continuously seek operating targets rather than simple setpoints and have been developed for digital instrumentation. These require a robust, well tuned control system as their lowest level. This paper describes some of the changes in project and instrumentation philosophy required by these packages. This approach potentially returns the design of control systems to the hands of the instrument engineer and results in a notable increase in reliability and maintainability of the overall system including both hardware and software. It also reduces cost of advanced controls markedly.