Automation of control systems (ACS) is an information system that is designed for the automated implementation of management processes. It is worth noting that the introduction of such a technology should be justified from a technical and economic point of view. Most often, the installation of such a system makes it possible to reduce the number of workers, increase management efficiency, and improve the quality of the facility.
ACS requirements
A number of some requirements are imposed on automation of a control system.
Firstly, it is very important that all elements can be connected with each other, and also have a connection with an automated system that is connected to the ACS. In addition, it is very important that the system has the possibility of expansion, development and modernization. This is done with the expectation that in the future the enterprise will develop and a more modernized system will be needed.
Secondly, and no less important, the control automation system should have a sufficient degree of reliability. In other words, it should be 100% safe when working with the initially set parameters. Another important requirement is adaptability. The system must be configured so that it can change in the face of changing parameters. However, it is worth saying here that the range of changes is discussed in advance, before the installation of the ACS, and therefore these limits of changes are entered in advance into the system.
A control automation system should provide the ability to control its operation. In addition, it is very important that in the event of a malfunction, the system can diagnose and indicate the location, type and cause of a particular problem. The last important requirement for ACS is protection against incorrect actions of personnel. In case of accidental or intentional changes in parameters that can lead to critical condition of the facility, the control system must be protected. This rule also applies if there is an information leak somewhere.
Parts of ACS. Functional
Currently, any information system, including an enterprise management automation system, can be divided into two components. The first is functional, the second is providing. The first part is responsible for the aspect of the actions in which each individual system is created. The combination of these individual tasks creates the functional part of the overall system.
Next, you need to pay attention to the fact that any ACS must perform the following actions:
- it must collect, process and analyze all information that relates to the state of the object;
- the system should be able to develop methods of control actions when such a need arises;
- ACS should also be capable of transmitting control actions to the executive elements, as well as transmit data to the operator for control;
- the implementation and control of the developed control actions also lies with the control system.
Providing part of ACS. Information part
The second major part is the providing one. It is somewhat more complicated, and it is conditionally divided into several smaller executive groups, which include such sections:
- software and mathematics;
- informational;
- technical;
- methodological and organizational;
- linguistic;
- HR.
The work of the enterprise management automation system, or rather its supporting part, is based on the fact that it collects complete information about the object. Based on the information received, which includes data on coding, addressing methods, data formats, etc., the ACS will operate. You need to understand that a large amount of information requires storage space. For this reason, all the data obtained is collected in large databases, which are subsequently stored on computer media.
It is important to understand that it is impossible to keep all the information from the beginning of work to this day, since there is too much of it. Therefore, all stored data is overwritten on media with a certain frequency, which is necessary for the normal operation of the object. In addition, each such process control automation system has some kind of backup data storage. It is intended to be able to recover information loss if any device fails.
Software and Mathematics
It is immediately worth noting that it is the most important in any management system today. The software part of this type includes any software that performs all the tasks assigned to the system, and also ensures the normal operation of the whole complex of technical means used at this enterprise. The mathematical part is the totality of all mathematical formulas, models, algorithms used in the operation of the information system.
The software of the automation system of the technological process should fully satisfy the performance of all the functions that are required from the automation object. It is important to note here that all these functions are implemented using computing tools. There are several specific properties that the ACS software must satisfy:
- Functional sufficiency. That is, the system must be complete.
- It is important that the system is not only reliable, but also has the ability to repair itself, as well as determine the cause of the breakdown.
- The system must adapt to the changing parameters of the object.
- If necessary, there should be the possibility of modification.
- Modularity of construction, as well as ease of use are also important components of the system.
Technical Section
Everything is quite simple here. Technical support includes the availability of all the technical means that are necessary to ensure the maximum functionality of the ACS. This section is most affected by the development of computer technology and computer technology. Thanks to the development of these two areas, the variety of technical measuring instruments is becoming wider, and by themselves they are capable of solving a wider range of problems.
Currently, systems and technical means of automation and control can be divided into two large groups. The first group is the means of communication, and the second is the means of organizational technology.
It is necessary to understand here that the technical means of automation are used at all stages of the ACS operation, from fixing parameters to their storage, and also with their help it is possible to connect the entire control system into a single network. If we talk separately about the means of communication, then they, in the first place, serve as transmitters of information from one device to another. In some rare cases, they work together with computer technology. Organizational equipment is a device that allows you to carry out various operations with previously obtained information.
A fairly important rule is that any technical means of the ACS should be replaced without fail with a similar one without any need to reconfigure it.
Methodical and organizational section of the system
Designing a control automation system implies the presence of such a section as a methodological and organizational one. This branch of the ACS is a combination of methods, tools and some special documents that establish the operating procedure not only of the system itself, but also of the personnel who service it. In addition, there are also documents here that systematize the personnel’s work when interacting with each other. This also includes some methods, as a result of which staff are trained to work with a specific information system. In other words, this is a section that affects not only the system itself, but also the human factor.
The main goal of this section is to constantly maintain the system’s performance, as well as provide the possibility of its further development, if necessary. It can be added that this section contains instructions that relate to what personnel need to do during the work of the ACS in order to maintain its normal functioning. Also, files are stored here that carry information on what to do if the system goes into emergency mode or simply does not function as it should.
Linguistics
The last section of the supporting part of the ACS is linguistic. Naturally, this system is a linguistic aggregate. This includes the languages spoken by the personnel who service the automation system for production management, as well as its users, with such parts of the system itself as technical, informational, and mathematical software. There are also transcripts of all terms and definitions that the ACS uses during its work.
During operation, it is very important that operators can communicate in a timely and convenient manner with the control system. It is due to linguistic support that the required convenience, uniqueness and stability of this communication are achieved. It is only necessary to add that there is a need for technical means that will correct errors, if any, are made during communication between the user and the automation system. Today, there are two different approaches when working with ACS.
The first way in which the automation control process is carried out is the installation and use of computer equipment. These tools will be used only to simplify some operations that arise when working with documents. To date, this method is considered ineffective, since it does not allow to fully reveal the potential of computer technology of the current level.
The second method is fundamentally different from the first and consists in the fact that an integrated system for automating the management of facilities is being created at the enterprise. In this case, not only document management, but also databases, expert systems, communication tools, as well as many other functions are transferred to the equipment.
Lower and middle level ACS
Any ACS TP today can be divided into several levels. Automation control system currently has three such levels.
The lower level is the sensors, as well as measuring devices, which control the controlled characteristics. In addition, this also includes actuators, on which the value of the characteristics depends. At this level, only minimal control is carried out, which consists in coordinating the signal from the sensor with the input of the monitoring device. Also, there is an exchange of signals generated by these devices with actuators.
The next middle level is equipment management. In other words, programmable logic controllers are located on this control step. These PLCs are capable of receiving signals that come from measuring equipment, as well as from sensors that monitor the state of the process. In accordance with the information received, as well as the data that are set by the user, the PLC generates a control signal that is transmitted to the actuator with a clear command.
Top level
Automation control in technical systems also has a third, highest level. Such equipment is operator and dispatch stations, network equipment, industrial servers. It is at this stage that full control is exercised over the progress of technological operations at the facility by a person. In addition, it also provides communication with two previous levels, which allows you to successfully collect any necessary information.
At this stage, HMI, SCADA is used. The first is the human-machine interface, with which the dispatcher is able to track the progress of technological operations at the facility. This includes various monitors or graphic panels, which are most often installed on automation cabinets and are intended only to display information about the facility and the progress of the process. In order to exercise control over automation tools and a control system, there is a SCADA system, which implies the presence of supervisory control and the ability to collect data. Simply put, this network allows you to install software that can be configured and installed on dispatchers' computers.
All the most important data that the PLC collects at an average level is collected, archived and visualized using this system. The basis of automation lies precisely here, since SCADA is capable of not only receiving information, but also comparing it with that which was entered by the operator. If any parameter deviates from the set value, the system notifies the user of this with an alarm. Some systems have the ability not only to control, but also to automatically change any values in order to return a value that has gone beyond the established limits.
Automation Tools
The system of automation of personnel management, the technological process is carried out at the expense of automation equipment, or TSA. In other words, these are devices that can themselves be a technical tool and carry out any activity, or be part of a hardware-software complex.
Most often, TSA is a basic element of an automation system. This includes all equipment that captures, processes, transmits information. Using such tools, it is possible to control, adjust and monitor the automated aspects of the production process. There are TSA, which exercise control over any parameter. These can be pressure, temperature, level sensors, capacitive sensors, laser sensors, etc. Next are information TSAs, the main task of which is to transmit information received from sensors. In other words, this is the link between the lower level and the control equipment, which is at the highest level.
The control equipment has the ability to completely or partially stop the production process until the cause of the shutdown is eliminated. Also, some advanced systems can do their own troubleshooting. In this case, they relate to self-healing systems of control and management.