Building blocks for process-control systems (Q1072970)

The article describes a new generation of components for building process-control systems, which became commercially available with the advent of microprocessor technology and local area networks. The new components are usually released as systems which comprise a collection of compatible stations capable of joint operation in a distributed configuration. Local data-transmission networks and various functional stations for distributed-control systems are described. The system characteristics of distributed control are highlighted, and methods of increasing the reliability are examined.