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can you please give me the difference between plc and dcs based on this content: DISTRIBUTED CONTROL SYSTEMS

Introduction Generally, the concept of automatic control includes accomplishing two major operations; the transmission of signals (information flow) back and forth and the calculation of control actions (decision making). Carrying out these operations in real plant requires a set of hardware and instrumentation that serve as the platform for these tasks. Distributed control system (DCS) is the most modern control platform. It stands as the infrastructure not only for all advanced control strategies but also for the lowliest control system. The idea of control infrastructure is old. The next section discusses how the control platform progressed through time to follow the advancement in control algorithms and instrumentation technologies.

  1. Historical Review To fully appreciate and select the current status of affairs in industrial practice it is of interest to understand the historical perspective on the evolution of control systems implementation philosophy and hardware elements. The evolution concerns the heart of any control system which is how information flow and decision making advanced.
  2. Pneumatic Implementation: In the early implementation of automatic control systems, information flow was accomplished by pneumatic transmission, and computation was done by mechanical devices using bellows, spring etc. The pneumatic controller has high margin for safety since they are explosion proof. However, There are two fundamental problems associated with pneumatic implementation: • Transmission: the signals transmitted pneumatically (via air pressure) are slow responding and susceptible to interference. • Calculation: Mechanical computation devices must be relatively simple and tend to wear out quickly.
  3. Electron analog implementation: Electrons are used as the medium of transmission in his type of implementation mode. Computation devices are still the same as before. Electrical signals to pressure signals converter (E/P transducers) and vice verse (P/E transducers) are used to communicate between the mechanical devices and electron flow. The primary problems associated with electronic analog implementation are: • Transmission: analog signals are susceptible to contamination from stray fields, and signal quality tends to degrade over long transmission line. • Calculation: the type of computations possible with electronic analog devices is still limited.

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Process Control in the Chemical Industries 133

  1. Digital Implementation: the transmission medium is still electron, but the signals are transmitted as binary numbers. Such digital signals are far less sensitive to noise. The computational devices are digital computers. Digital computers are more flexible because they are programmable. They are more versatile because there is virtually no limitation to the complexity of the computations it can carry out. Moreover, it is possible to carry out computation with a single computing device, or with a network of such devices. Many field sensors naturally produce analog voltage or current signals. For this reason transducers that convert analog signals to digital signals (A/D) and vice verse (D/A) are used as interface between the analog and digital elements of the modern control system. With the development of digital implementation systems, which DCS are based on, it is possible to implement many sophisticated control strategies on a very fast timescale.
  2. Modes of Computer control Computer control is usually carried out in two modes: supervisory control or direct digital control. Both are shown in Figure 1. Supervisory control involves resetting the set point for a local controller according to some computer calculation. Direct digital control, by contrast, requires that all control actions be carried out by the digital computer. Both modes are in wide use in industrial applications, and both allow incorporating modern control technologies. Measurements are transmitted to computer and control signals are sent from computer to control valves at specific time interval known as sampling time. The latter should be chosen with care.

FC

signals from digital computer Local PID controller

Supervisory Control mode

Direct digital Control mode

valve setting from computer

Flow measurement to computer

Figure 1: Computer control modes.

  1. Computer Control Networks

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Process Control in the Chemical Industries 134

The computer control network performs a wide variety of tasks: data acquisition, servicing of video display units in various laboratories and control rooms, data logging from analytical laboratories, control of plant processes or pilot plant, etc. The computer network can be as simple as an array of inexpensive PC's or it could be a large commercial distributed control system (DCS).

4.1 Small Computer Network In small processes such as laboratory prototype or pilot plants, the number of control loops is relatively small. An inexpensive and straightforward way to deal with the systems is to configure a network of personal computers for data acquisition and control. An example configuration of a PC network control system is depicted in Figure 2. The network consists of a main computer linked directly to the process in two-way channels. Other local computers are linked to the main computer and are also connected to the process through one-way or two-way links. Some of these local computers can be interconnected. Each of the local computers has a video display and a specific function. For example, some local computers are dedicated for data acquisition only, some for local control only and some other for both data acquisition and local control. The main computer could have a multiple displays. All computers operate with a multitasking operating system. They would be normally configured with local memory, local disk storage, and often have shared disk storage with a server.

PROCESS Local control

Data acquisition

Data acquisition Local control

Data acquisition Main Computer Multiple Display

Display Display Display Display

Figure 2: PC network

4.2 Programmable Logic Controllers

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Programmable logic controller (PLC) is another type of digital technology used in process control. It is exclusively specialized for non-continuous systems such as batch processes or that contains equipment or control elements that operate discontinuously. It can also be used for many instants where interlocks are required; for example, a flow control loop cannot be actuated unless a pump has been turned on. Similarly, during startup or shutdown of continuous processes many elements must be correctly sequenced; that is, upstream flows and levels must be established before downstream pumps can be turned on. The PLC concept is based on designing a sequence of logical decisions to implement the control for the above mentioned cases. Such a system uses a special purpose computer called programmable logic controllers because the computer is programmed to execute the desired Boolean logic and to implement the desired sequencing. In this case, the inputs to the computer are a set of relay contacts representing the state of various process elements. Various operator inputs are also provided. The outputs from the computer are a set of relays energized (activated) by the computer that can turn a pump on or off, activate lights on a display panel, operate solenoid valve, and so on. PLCs can handle thousands of digital I/O and hundreds of analog I/O and continuous PID control. PLC has many features besides the digital system capabilities. However, PLC lacks the flexibility for expansion and reconfiguration. The operator interface in PLC systems is also limited. Moreover, programming PLC by a higher-level languages and/or capability of implementing advanced control algorithms is also limited. PLCs are not typical in a traditional process plant, but there some operations, such as sequencing, and interlock operations, that can use the powerful capabilities of a PLC. They are also quite frequently a cost-effective alternative to DCSs (discussed next) where sophisticated process control strategies are not needed. Nevertheless, PLCs and DCSs can be combined in a hybrid system where PLC connected through link to a controller, or connected directly to network. 4.3 Commercial Distributed Control Systems In more complex pilot plants and full-scale plants, the control loops are of the order of hundreds. For such large processes, the commercial distributed control system is more appropriate. There are many vendors who provide these DCS systems such as Baily, Foxboro, Honeywell, Rosemont, Yokogawa, etc. In the following only an overview of the role of DCS is outlined. Conceptually, the DCS is similar to the simple PC network. However, there are some differences. First, the hardware and software of the DCS is made more flexible, i.e. easy to modify and configure, and to be able to handle a large number of loops.

Secondly, the modern DCS are equipped with optimization, high-performance model- building and control software as options. Therefore, an imaginative engineer who has

theoretical background on modern control systems can quickly configure the DCS network to implement high performance controllers. A schematic of the DCS network is shown in figure 3. Basically, various parts of the plant processes and several parts of the DCS network elements are connected to

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each others via the data highway (fieldbus). Although figure 3 shows one data highway, in practice there could be several levels of data highways. A large number of local data acquisition, video display and computers can be found distributed around the plant. They all communicate to each others through the data highway. These distributed elements may vary in their responsibilities. For example, those closest to the process handle high raw data traffic to the local computers while those farther away from the process deal only with processed data but for a wider audience. The data highway is thus the backbone for the DCS system. It provides information to the multi-displays on various operator control panels sends new data and retrieve historical data from archival storage, and serves as a data link between the main control computer and other parts of the network. On the top of the hierarchy, a supervisory (host) computer is set. The host computer is responsible for performing many higher level functions. These could include optimization of the process operation over varying time horizons (days, weeks, or months), carrying out special control procedure such as plant start up or product grade transition, and providing feedback on economic performance.

Operator Control Panel

Main Control Computer

Operator Control Panel

Archival Data Storage

Supervisory (host) Computer

PROCESS

Local Computer

Local Computer

Local Computer

Local Display Local Display Data highway

To other Processes To other Processes

Local data acquisition and control computers

Figure 3: The elements of a commercial distributed control system network

A DCS is then a powerful tool for any large commercial plant. The engineer or operator can immediately utilize such a system to:

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• Access a large amount of current information from the data highway. • See trends of past process conditions by calling archival data storage. • Readily install new on-line measurements together with local computers for data acquisition and then use the new data immediately for controlling all loops of the process. • Alternate quickly among standard control strategies and readjust controller parameters in software. • A sight full engineer can use the flexibility of the framework to implement his latest controller design ideas on the host computer or on the main control computer. In the common DCS architecture, the microcomputer attached to the process are known as front-end computers and are usually less sophisticated equipment employed for low level functions. Typically such equipment would acquire process data from the measuring devices and convert them to standard engineering units. The results at this level are passed upward to the larger computers that are responsible for more complex operations. These upper-level computers can be programmed to perform more advanced calculations.

  1. Description of the DCS elements The typical DCS system shown in Figure 3 can consists of one or more of the following elements: • Local Control Unit (LCU). This is denoted as local computer in Figure 3. This unit can handle 8 to 16 individual PID loops, with 16 to 32 analog input lines, 8 to 16 analog output signals and some a limited number of digital inputs and outputs. • Data Acquisition Unit. This unit may contain 2 to 16 times as many analog input/output channels as the LCU. Digital (discrete) and analog I/O can be handled. Typically, no control functions are available. • Batch Sequencing Unit. Typically, this unit contains a number of external events, timing counters, arbitrary function generators, and internal logic. • Local Display. This device usually provides analog display stations, analog trend recorder, and sometime video display for readout. • Bulk Memory Unit. This unit is used to store and recall process data. Usually mass storage disks or magnetic tape are used.

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• General Purpose Computer. This unit is programmed by a customer or third party to perform sophisticated functions such as optimization, advance control, expert system, etc. • Central Operator Display. This unit typically will contain one or more consoles for operator communication with the system, and multiple video color graphics display units. • Data Highway. A serial digital data transmission link connecting all other components in the system may consist of coaxial cable. Most commercial DCS allow for redundant data highway to reduce the risk of data loss. • Local area Network (LAN). Many manufacturers supply a port device to allow connection to remote devices through a standard local area network.

  1. The advantages of DCS systems The major advantages of functional hardware distribution are flexibility in system design, ease of expansion, reliability, and ease of maintenance. A big advantage compared to a single-computer system is that the user can start out at a low level of investment. Another obvious advantage of this type of distributed architecture is that complete loss of the data highway will not cause complete loss of system capability. Often local units can continue operation with no significant loss of function over moderate or extended periods of time. Moreover, the DCS network allows different modes of control implementation such as manual/auto/supervisory/computer operation for each local control loop. In the manual mode, the operator manipulates the final control element directly. In the auto mode, the final control element is manipulated automatically through a low-level controller usually a PID. The set point for this control loop is entered by the operator. In

the supervisory mode, an advanced digital controller is placed on the top of the low- level controller (Figure 1). The advanced controller sets the set point for the low-level

controller. The set point for the advanced controller can be set either by the operator or a steady state optimization. In the computer mode, the control system operates in the direct digital mode shown in Figure 1. One of the main goals of using DCS system is allowing the implementation of digital control algorithms. The benefit of digital control application can include: • Digital systems are more precise. • Digital systems are more flexible. This means that control algorithms can be changed and control configuration can be modified without having rewiring the system. • Digital system cost less to install and maintain. • Digital data in electronic files are easier to deal with. Operating results can be printed out, displayed on color terminals, stored in highly compressed form.

  1. Important consideration regarding DCS systems.

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7.1 The control loop The control loop remains the same as the conventional feedback control loop, but with the addition of some digital components. Figure 4 shows a typical single direct digital control-loop. Digital computer is used to take care of all control calculations. Since the computer is a digital (binary) machine and the information coming out of the process in an analog for, they had to be digitized before entering the computer. Similarly the commands issued by the computer are in binary, they should be converted to analog (continuous) signals before implemented on the final control element. This is the philosophy behind installing the A/D and D/A converter on the control loop. Signal conditioning is used to remove noise and smooth transmitted data. Amplifier can also be used to scale the transmitted data if the signals gain is small. Signal generators (transducer) are used to convert the process measurements into analog signals. The most common analog signals used are 0-5 Volts and 4-20mA. Some of the process variables are represented in millivolts such as those form thermocouples, strain gauges, pH meters, etc. Multiplexers are often used to switch selectively a number of analog signals.

9 PROCESS

6 5 4 3 2 1 Computer 7 8 Terminal Operator

Transmission

Transmission

Process input Process output

Transducer

  1. Sensing element

  2. Signal generator

  3. Signal conditioning

  4. Multiplexing

  5. Amplification

  6. Analog to digital conversion

  7. Digital to analog conversion

  8. Signal conditioning

  9. Final control element Figure 4: The component of a digital control loop

All instrumentation hardware (1-9) is designed, selected, installed and maintained by an instrumentation engineer. The computer is responsible for making decisions (control actions). It can host a simple control algorithm or a more advanced one. The latter can either purchased from a commercial vendor or developed in-house by a process/control engineer (See section 7.3). The terminal is the main operator interface with the control system. The operator can use the terminal to monitor the control performance, adjust the set points and tune the controller parameters.

7.2 The basic units of a digital computer The digital computer used in DCS systems is a regular microcomputer with the simplified components shown in Figure 5. It includes the arithmetic unit, which carry out arithmetic and logic commands. The control unit is the part of the computer responsible for reading program statements from memory, interpreting them, and

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causing the appropriate action to take place. The memory unit is used for storing data

and programs. Typical computers have Random-Access-Memory (RAM) and Read- Only-Memory (ROM). The final unit is the input/output interface. The I/O interface is

necessary for the computer to communicate with the external world. This interface is the most important in the control implementation. The process information is fed to the computer through the I/O interface and the commands made by the computer are sent to the final control element through the I/O interface.

Arithmetic Unit

Memory Unit

Input/ouput inetrface

Control unit

I/O devices

I/O devices

computer

Figure 5: A general purpose digital computer

In control application, the design of the I/O devices and interface is an important part of the overall digital control philosophy. The following subsections discuss some of these issues.

7.2.1 Information presentation and accuracy. The modern digital computer is a binary machine. This means that internal data and arithmetic and logic must be represented in binary format. Therefore all process information flowing into and out of the computer must also be converted to that form. Traditionally, the computer memory location is made up of a collection of bits called a word (register). A typical computer word consists of 16 bits (new computers carry 32- bits word). Consider, for example, the following machine number:

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Process Control in the Chemical Industries 141

16-bit computer word: 1011001100010100 The base for this word is 2. Therefore, each bit has the following decimal equivalent:

Bit 1 Bit 2 Bit 3 Bit 4 ... Bit 16 Machine number 0 0 0 0 ... 0 Decimal equivalent 20 21 22 23 ... 216 Each single bit consists of binary elements, i.e. 0 or 1. Therefore, any integer number from 0 to 7 can be represented by a three-bit word as follows:

Contents of a 3-bit word Digital Equivalent 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1

0(20 )+0(21 )+0(22 ) = 0

1(20 )+0(21 )+0(22 ) = 1

0(20 )+1(21 )+0(22 ) = 2

1(20 )+1(21 )+0(22 ) = 3

0(20 )+0(21 )+1(22 ) = 4

1(20 )+0(21 )+1(22 ) = 5

0(20 )+1(21 )+1(22 ) = 6

1(20 )+1(21 )+1(22 ) = 7

In this case, analog process information should be first changed to voltage or current as mentioned earlier. Then it is converted to digital form by an electronic device called analog to digital converter (A/D). Similarly, digital information is converted to analog form (Voltage or current) by a digital to analog converter (D/A). The accuracy (resolution) of such digitization process depends on the number of bits used to for representation. The degree of resolution is given by:

12 1 range] scale [ − = × m resolution full

where m is the number of bits in the representation. Obviously, higher resolution can be obtained at higher number of bits. For example, consider a sensor sends an analog signal between 0 and 1 volt and assume only a three-bit computer word is available, and then the full range of the signal can be recognized as follows: This means that eight specific values for the analog signal can be exactly recognized. Any values interim values will be approximated according to the covered analog range shown in the fourth column of Table 1. In this way, the error in resolution is said to be in the order of 1/14. Assume now a 4-bit word is available for the same analog signal. Then the full range will be divided over 15 points, i.e. sixteen equally spaced values between 0 and 1 can be recognized, and the error in resolution will be in the order of 1/30. Most current control-oriented ADC and DAC utilize a 10 to 12 bit representation (resolution better than 0.1%). Since most micro- and minicomputers utilize at least a 16-bit word, the value of an analog variable can be stored in one

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Process Control in the Chemical Industries 142

memory word. New computers are capable of using 32-bit word. Therefore, new generation of ADC and DAC with higher resolution (up to 16 to 20 bit) are emerging. Table 1: Representation of a 0 to 1 volt analog variable using a 3-bit word

Binary representation Digital Equivalent

Analog equivalent

Analog range covered

0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

0 1/7 2/7 3/7 4/7 5/7 6/7 1

0 to 1/14 1/14 to 3/14 3/14 to 5/14 5/14 to 7/14 7/14 to 9/14 9/14 to 11/14 11/14 to 13/14 13/14 to 14/14

7.2.2 Process interface A typical plant with large number of variables contains abundance of process information (data). Therefore, process information can be classified under several classes (groups). Then a specialized device can be used to transfer all information of a specific class into and out of the computer. This way designing different I/O interface for each I/O device to be connected to the computer is avoided. In fact, most process data can be grouped into four major categories as listed in Table 2. Table 2: Categories of process information Type Example

  1. Digital Relay Switch Solenoid valve Motor drive

  2. Generalized digital Laboratory instrument output Alphanumerical displays

  3. Pulse or pulse train Turbine flow meter Stepping motor

  4. Analog Thermocouple or strain gauge (millivolt) Process instrumentation (4 – 20 mA) Other sensors (0 -5 Volt)

The digital input/output signals can be easily handled because the match the computer representation format. The digital interface can be designed to have multiple registers, each with the same number of bits as the basic computer word. In this way a full word of 16-bit can represent 16 separate process binary variables and can be transmitted to the computer at one time and stored. Each bit will determine the state of a specific process input lie. For example, a state of 1 means the input is on and 0 means off or vice verse. The generalized digital information usually uses binary coded decimal and ranges from 0000 to 9999. Hence, a 16-bit register can be used as interface device to

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transmit 4 digits of result because four-bits are necessary to represent one digit (0-9) of binary coded decimal. In the input pulse information case, a single register (interface device) is designed for each input line. The register ordinarily consists of pulse counter. The accumulated pulses over a specified length of time are transferred to the computer in binary or BCD count. The output pulse interface consists of a device to generate a continuous train of pulses followed by a gate. The gate is turned on and off by the computer. The analog input information must be digitized by ADC before fed to the computer. Since the process has a large number of analog sensing devices, a multiplexer is used to switch selectively among various analog signals. The main purpose of a multiplexer is to avoid the necessity of using a single ADC for each input line. The DAC devise performs the reverse operation. Each analog output line from the computer has its own dedicated DAC. The DAC is designed such that it holds (freeze) a previous output signal until another command is issued by the computer. 7.2.3 Timing The control computer must be able to keep track of time (real time) in order to be able to initiate data acquisition operations and calculate control outputs or to initiate supervisory optimization on a desired schedule. Hence, all control computers will contain at least one hardware timing device. The so-called real-time clock represents one technique. This device is nothing more than a pulse generator that interrupts the computer on a periodic basis and identifies itself as interrupting device. 7.2.4 Operator interface. The operator interface is generally a terminal upon which the operator can communicate with the system. Such terminals usually permit displaying graphical information. Often these display consoles are color terminals for better visibility and recognition of key variables. The operator will use the keyboard portion of the terminal to perform specific tasks. For example, the operator can type in requests for information or displaying trends, changing controller parameters or set points, adding new control loop, and so on. 7.3 Digital control software To make the best use of a DCS system, an advance control strategy or supervisory optimization can be incorporated in the main host computer. In the past, computer control projects are written in assembly language, an extremely tedious procedure. Nowadays most user software is written in higher-level languages such as BASIC, FORTRAN, C etc. In many cases, the user is able to utilize the template routines supplied by the vendor, and is required only to duplicate these routines and interconnect them to fit his own application purposes. Another way is to write his own complete control program and implement it. Other software in the form of control-oriented programming languages is supplied by the vendor of process control computers. A simpler approach for the user is to utilize vendor-supplied firmware or software to avoid writing programs. Currently, most DCS manufacturers develop their own advance control and optimization software,

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which can included in the package as options. Similarly, many control algorithm developers; (DMC, ASPEN, etc) design a special interface to allow incorporating their own control programs into most of the commercial DCS network. 8. Conclusion Digitally-based control instrumentation represents a revolutionary change in the process control paradigm. With digital systems the control engineer has the opportunity to go beyond the narrow limitation of standard analog control components to construct a system that is optimum for the information processing and control requirements of large processes or even of entire plants. This is why many industrial plants are updating their hardware and instrumentation systems bearing in mind that the payout times for installation and commissioning costs is as a low as three to four months.

A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and a Distributed Control System (DCS) are two different types of control platforms used in industrial automation.

PLC:

  • PLC is primarily used in non-continuous systems such as batch processes or those with discontinuous equipment or control elements.
  • It is specialized for control tasks that require interlocks, sequencing, and simple control strategies.
  • PLCs are designed to execute logical decisions and are programmed to implement specific control sequences.
  • They usually handle a relatively small number of input/output channels, both digital and analog.
  • They offer limited flexibility for expansion and reconfiguration.
  • The operator interface in PLC systems is also limited, and advanced control algorithms are difficult to implement.

DCS:

  • DCS is a more modern control platform used in larger and complex process plants.
  • It is designed to handle a large number of control loops, often in the order of hundreds.
  • DCS offers more flexibility in system design, ease of expansion, reliability, ease of maintenance compared to PLC.
  • It can handle a larger number of analog and digital input/output channels and supports continuous PID control.
  • DCS systems are equipped with optimization, high-performance model-building, and control software as options.
  • The architecture of a DCS involves a network of interconnected computers and devices, allowing for distributed control and information sharing.
  • DCS systems provide a powerful and flexible tool for monitoring and controlling complex processes.

In summary, while PLCs are suitable for simpler control tasks and non-continuous processes, DCS systems are more capable of handling larger and more complex control requirements in continuous processes, offering greater flexibility and advanced control capabilities.

can you give me the points of CC netwrok, Supervisory control, PC netwrok and commercial DCS acoording to this content: DISTRIBUTED CONTROL SYSTEMS

Introduction Generally, the concept of automatic control includes accomplishing two major operations; the transmission of signals (information flow) back and forth and the calculation of control actions (decision making). Carrying out these operations in real plant requires a set of hardware and instrumentation that serve as the platform for these tasks. Distributed control system (DCS) is the most modern control platform. It stands as the infrastructure not only for all advanced control strategies but also for the lowliest control system. The idea of control infrastructure is old. The next section discusses how the control platform progressed through time to follow the advancement in control algorithms and instrumentation technologies.

  1. Historical Review To fully appreciate and select the current status of affairs in industrial practice it is of interest to understand the historical perspective on the evolution of control systems implementation philosophy and hardware elements. The evolution concerns the heart of any control system which is how information flow and decision making advanced.
  2. Pneumatic Implementation: In the early implementation of automatic control systems, information flow was accomplished by pneumatic transmission, and computation was done by mechanical devices using bellows, spring etc. The pneumatic controller has high margin for safety since they are explosion proof. However, There are two fundamental problems associated with pneumatic implementation: • Transmission: the signals transmitted pneumatically (via air pressure) are slow responding and susceptible to interference. • Calculation: Mechanical computation devices must be relatively simple and tend to wear out quickly.
  3. Electron analog implementation: Electrons are used as the medium of transmission in his type of implementation mode. Computation devices are still the same as before. Electrical signals to pressure signals converter (E/P transducers) and vice verse (P/E transducers) are used to communicate between the mechanical devices and electron flow. The primary problems associated with electronic analog implementation are: • Transmission: analog signals are susceptible to contamination from stray fields, and signal quality tends to degrade over long transmission line. • Calculation: the type of computations possible with electronic analog devices is still limited.

Chemical Engineering Department King Saud University, 2002

Process Control in the Chemical Industries 133

  1. Digital Implementation: the transmission medium is still electron, but the signals are transmitted as binary numbers. Such digital signals are far less sensitive to noise. The computational devices are digital computers. Digital computers are more flexible because they are programmable. They are more versatile because there is virtually no limitation to the complexity of the computations it can carry out. Moreover, it is possible to carry out computation with a single computing device, or with a network of such devices. Many field sensors naturally produce analog voltage or current signals. For this reason transducers that convert analog signals to digital signals (A/D) and vice verse (D/A) are used as interface between the analog and digital elements of the modern control system. With the development of digital implementation systems, which DCS are based on, it is possible to implement many sophisticated control strategies on a very fast timescale.
  2. Modes of Computer control Computer control is usually carried out in two modes: supervisory control or direct digital control. Both are shown in Figure 1. Supervisory control involves resetting the set point for a local controller according to some computer calculation. Direct digital control, by contrast, requires that all control actions be carried out by the digital computer. Both modes are in wide use in industrial applications, and both allow incorporating modern control technologies. Measurements are transmitted to computer and control signals are sent from computer to control valves at specific time interval known as sampling time. The latter should be chosen with care.

FC

signals from digital computer Local PID controller

Supervisory Control mode

Direct digital Control mode

valve setting from computer

Flow measurement to computer

Figure 1: Computer control modes.

  1. Computer Control Networks

Chemical Engineering Department King Saud University, 2002

Process Control in the Chemical Industries 134

The computer control network performs a wide variety of tasks: data acquisition, servicing of video display units in various laboratories and control rooms, data logging from analytical laboratories, control of plant processes or pilot plant, etc. The computer network can be as simple as an array of inexpensive PC's or it could be a large commercial distributed control system (DCS).

4.1 Small Computer Network In small processes such as laboratory prototype or pilot plants, the number of control loops is relatively small. An inexpensive and straightforward way to deal with the systems is to configure a network of personal computers for data acquisition and control. An example configuration of a PC network control system is depicted in Figure 2. The network consists of a main computer linked directly to the process in two-way channels. Other local computers are linked to the main computer and are also connected to the process through one-way or two-way links. Some of these local computers can be interconnected. Each of the local computers has a video display and a specific function. For example, some local computers are dedicated for data acquisition only, some for local control only and some other for both data acquisition and local control. The main computer could have a multiple displays. All computers operate with a multitasking operating system. They would be normally configured with local memory, local disk storage, and often have shared disk storage with a server.

PROCESS Local control

Data acquisition

Data acquisition Local control

Data acquisition Main Computer Multiple Display

Display Display Display Display

Figure 2: PC network

4.2 Programmable Logic Controllers

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Programmable logic controller (PLC) is another type of digital technology used in process control. It is exclusively specialized for non-continuous systems such as batch processes or that contains equipment or control elements that operate discontinuously. It can also be used for many instants where interlocks are required; for example, a flow control loop cannot be actuated unless a pump has been turned on. Similarly, during startup or shutdown of continuous processes many elements must be correctly sequenced; that is, upstream flows and levels must be established before downstream pumps can be turned on. The PLC concept is based on designing a sequence of logical decisions to implement the control for the above mentioned cases. Such a system uses a special purpose computer called programmable logic controllers because the computer is programmed to execute the desired Boolean logic and to implement the desired sequencing. In this case, the inputs to the computer are a set of relay contacts representing the state of various process elements. Various operator inputs are also provided. The outputs from the computer are a set of relays energized (activated) by the computer that can turn a pump on or off, activate lights on a display panel, operate solenoid valve, and so on. PLCs can handle thousands of digital I/O and hundreds of analog I/O and continuous PID control. PLC has many features besides the digital system capabilities. However, PLC lacks the flexibility for expansion and reconfiguration. The operator interface in PLC systems is also limited. Moreover, programming PLC by a higher-level languages and/or capability of implementing advanced control algorithms is also limited. PLCs are not typical in a traditional process plant, but there some operations, such as sequencing, and interlock operations, that can use the powerful capabilities of a PLC. They are also quite frequently a cost-effective alternative to DCSs (discussed next) where sophisticated process control strategies are not needed. Nevertheless, PLCs and DCSs can be combined in a hybrid system where PLC connected through link to a controller, or connected directly to network. 4.3 Commercial Distributed Control Systems In more complex pilot plants and full-scale plants, the control loops are of the order of hundreds. For such large processes, the commercial distributed control system is more appropriate. There are many vendors who provide these DCS systems such as Baily, Foxboro, Honeywell, Rosemont, Yokogawa, etc. In the following only an overview of the role of DCS is outlined. Conceptually, the DCS is similar to the simple PC network. However, there are some differences. First, the hardware and software of the DCS is made more flexible, i.e. easy to modify and configure, and to be able to handle a large number of loops.

Secondly, the modern DCS are equipped with optimization, high-performance model- building and control software as options. Therefore, an imaginative engineer who has

theoretical background on modern control systems can quickly configure the DCS network to implement high performance controllers. A schematic of the DCS network is shown in figure 3. Basically, various parts of the plant processes and several parts of the DCS network elements are connected to

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each others via the data highway (fieldbus). Although figure 3 shows one data highway, in practice there could be several levels of data highways. A large number of local data acquisition, video display and computers can be found distributed around the plant. They all communicate to each others through the data highway. These distributed elements may vary in their responsibilities. For example, those closest to the process handle high raw data traffic to the local computers while those farther away from the process deal only with processed data but for a wider audience. The data highway is thus the backbone for the DCS system. It provides information to the multi-displays on various operator control panels sends new data and retrieve historical data from archival storage, and serves as a data link between the main control computer and other parts of the network. On the top of the hierarchy, a supervisory (host) computer is set. The host computer is responsible for performing many higher level functions. These could include optimization of the process operation over varying time horizons (days, weeks, or months), carrying out special control procedure such as plant start up or product grade transition, and providing feedback on economic performance.

Operator Control Panel

Main Control Computer

Operator Control Panel

Archival Data Storage

Supervisory (host) Computer

PROCESS

Local Computer

Local Computer

Local Computer

Local Display Local Display Data highway

To other Processes To other Processes

Local data acquisition and control computers

Figure 3: The elements of a commercial distributed control system network

A DCS is then a powerful tool for any large commercial plant. The engineer or operator can immediately utilize such a system to:

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• Access a large amount of current information from the data highway. • See trends of past process conditions by calling archival data storage. • Readily install new on-line measurements together with local computers for data acquisition and then use the new data immediately for controlling all loops of the process. • Alternate quickly among standard control strategies and readjust controller parameters in software. • A sight full engineer can use the flexibility of the framework to implement his latest controller design ideas on the host computer or on the main control computer. In the common DCS architecture, the microcomputer attached to the process are known as front-end computers and are usually less sophisticated equipment employed for low level functions. Typically such equipment would acquire process data from the measuring devices and convert them to standard engineering units. The results at this level are passed upward to the larger computers that are responsible for more complex operations. These upper-level computers can be programmed to perform more advanced calculations.

  1. Description of the DCS elements The typical DCS system shown in Figure 3 can consists of one or more of the following elements: • Local Control Unit (LCU). This is denoted as local computer in Figure 3. This unit can handle 8 to 16 individual PID loops, with 16 to 32 analog input lines, 8 to 16 analog output signals and some a limited number of digital inputs and outputs. • Data Acquisition Unit. This unit may contain 2 to 16 times as many analog input/output channels as the LCU. Digital (discrete) and analog I/O can be handled. Typically, no control functions are available. • Batch Sequencing Unit. Typically, this unit contains a number of external events, timing counters, arbitrary function generators, and internal logic. • Local Display. This device usually provides analog display stations, analog trend recorder, and sometime video display for readout. • Bulk Memory Unit. This unit is used to store and recall process data. Usually mass storage disks or magnetic tape are used.

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• General Purpose Computer. This unit is programmed by a customer or third party to perform sophisticated functions such as optimization, advance control, expert system, etc. • Central Operator Display. This unit typically will contain one or more consoles for operator communication with the system, and multiple video color graphics display units. • Data Highway. A serial digital data transmission link connecting all other components in the system may consist of coaxial cable. Most commercial DCS allow for redundant data highway to reduce the risk of data loss. • Local area Network (LAN). Many manufacturers supply a port device to allow connection to remote devices through a standard local area network.

  1. The advantages of DCS systems The major advantages of functional hardware distribution are flexibility in system design, ease of expansion, reliability, and ease of maintenance. A big advantage compared to a single-computer system is that the user can start out at a low level of investment. Another obvious advantage of this type of distributed architecture is that complete loss of the data highway will not cause complete loss of system capability. Often local units can continue operation with no significant loss of function over moderate or extended periods of time. Moreover, the DCS network allows different modes of control implementation such as manual/auto/supervisory/computer operation for each local control loop. In the manual mode, the operator manipulates the final control element directly. In the auto mode, the final control element is manipulated automatically through a low-level controller usually a PID. The set point for this control loop is entered by the operator. In

the supervisory mode, an advanced digital controller is placed on the top of the low- level controller (Figure 1). The advanced controller sets the set point for the low-level

controller. The set point for the advanced controller can be set either by the operator or a steady state optimization. In the computer mode, the control system operates in the direct digital mode shown in Figure 1. One of the main goals of using DCS system is allowing the implementation of digital control algorithms. The benefit of digital control application can include: • Digital systems are more precise. • Digital systems are more flexible. This means that control algorithms can be changed and control configuration can be modified without having rewiring the system. • Digital system cost less to install and maintain. • Digital data in electronic files are easier to deal with. Operating results can be printed out, displayed on color terminals, stored in highly compressed form.

  1. Important consideration regarding DCS systems.

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7.1 The control loop The control loop remains the same as the conventional feedback control loop, but with the addition of some digital components. Figure 4 shows a typical single direct digital control-loop. Digital computer is used to take care of all control calculations. Since the computer is a digital (binary) machine and the information coming out of the process in an analog for, they had to be digitized before entering the computer. Similarly the commands issued by the computer are in binary, they should be converted to analog (continuous) signals before implemented on the final control element. This is the philosophy behind installing the A/D and D/A converter on the control loop. Signal conditioning is used to remove noise and smooth transmitted data. Amplifier can also be used to scale the transmitted data if the signals gain is small. Signal generators (transducer) are used to convert the process measurements into analog signals. The most common analog signals used are 0-5 Volts and 4-20mA. Some of the process variables are represented in millivolts such as those form thermocouples, strain gauges, pH meters, etc. Multiplexers are often used to switch selectively a number of analog signals.

9 PROCESS

6 5 4 3 2 1 Computer 7 8 Terminal Operator

Transmission

Transmission

Process input Process output

Transducer

  1. Sensing element

  2. Signal generator

  3. Signal conditioning

  4. Multiplexing

  5. Amplification

  6. Analog to digital conversion

  7. Digital to analog conversion

  8. Signal conditioning

  9. Final control element Figure 4: The component of a digital control loop

All instrumentation hardware (1-9) is designed, selected, installed and maintained by an instrumentation engineer. The computer is responsible for making decisions (control actions). It can host a simple control algorithm or a more advanced one. The latter can either purchased from a commercial vendor or developed in-house by a process/control engineer (See section 7.3). The terminal is the main operator interface with the control system. The operator can use the terminal to monitor the control performance, adjust the set points and tune the controller parameters.

7.2 The basic units of a digital computer The digital computer used in DCS systems is a regular microcomputer with the simplified components shown in Figure 5. It includes the arithmetic unit, which carry out arithmetic and logic commands. The control unit is the part of the computer responsible for reading program statements from memory, interpreting them, and

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causing the appropriate action to take place. The memory unit is used for storing data

and programs. Typical computers have Random-Access-Memory (RAM) and Read- Only-Memory (ROM). The final unit is the input/output interface. The I/O interface is

necessary for the computer to communicate with the external world. This interface is the most important in the control implementation. The process information is fed to the computer through the I/O interface and the commands made by the computer are sent to the final control element through the I/O interface.

Arithmetic Unit

Memory Unit

Input/ouput inetrface

Control unit

I/O devices

I/O devices

computer

Figure 5: A general purpose digital computer

In control application, the design of the I/O devices and interface is an important part of the overall digital control philosophy. The following subsections discuss some of these issues.

7.2.1 Information presentation and accuracy. The modern digital computer is a binary machine. This means that internal data and arithmetic and logic must be represented in binary format. Therefore all process information flowing into and out of the computer must also be converted to that form. Traditionally, the computer memory location is made up of a collection of bits called a word (register). A typical computer word consists of 16 bits (new computers carry 32- bits word). Consider, for example, the following machine number:

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16-bit computer word: 1011001100010100 The base for this word is 2. Therefore, each bit has the following decimal equivalent:

Bit 1 Bit 2 Bit 3 Bit 4 ... Bit 16 Machine number 0 0 0 0 ... 0 Decimal equivalent 20 21 22 23 ... 216 Each single bit consists of binary elements, i.e. 0 or 1. Therefore, any integer number from 0 to 7 can be represented by a three-bit word as follows:

Contents of a 3-bit word Digital Equivalent 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1

0(20 )+0(21 )+0(22 ) = 0

1(20 )+0(21 )+0(22 ) = 1

0(20 )+1(21 )+0(22 ) = 2

1(20 )+1(21 )+0(22 ) = 3

0(20 )+0(21 )+1(22 ) = 4

1(20 )+0(21 )+1(22 ) = 5

0(20 )+1(21 )+1(22 ) = 6

1(20 )+1(21 )+1(22 ) = 7

In this case, analog process information should be first changed to voltage or current as mentioned earlier. Then it is converted to digital form by an electronic device called analog to digital converter (A/D). Similarly, digital information is converted to analog form (Voltage or current) by a digital to analog converter (D/A). The accuracy (resolution) of such digitization process depends on the number of bits used to for representation. The degree of resolution is given by:

12 1 range] scale [ − = × m resolution full

where m is the number of bits in the representation. Obviously, higher resolution can be obtained at higher number of bits. For example, consider a sensor sends an analog signal between 0 and 1 volt and assume only a three-bit computer word is available, and then the full range of the signal can be recognized as follows: This means that eight specific values for the analog signal can be exactly recognized. Any values interim values will be approximated according to the covered analog range shown in the fourth column of Table 1. In this way, the error in resolution is said to be in the order of 1/14. Assume now a 4-bit word is available for the same analog signal. Then the full range will be divided over 15 points, i.e. sixteen equally spaced values between 0 and 1 can be recognized, and the error in resolution will be in the order of 1/30. Most current control-oriented ADC and DAC utilize a 10 to 12 bit representation (resolution better than 0.1%). Since most micro- and minicomputers utilize at least a 16-bit word, the value of an analog variable can be stored in one

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memory word. New computers are capable of using 32-bit word. Therefore, new generation of ADC and DAC with higher resolution (up to 16 to 20 bit) are emerging. Table 1: Representation of a 0 to 1 volt analog variable using a 3-bit word

Binary representation Digital Equivalent

Analog equivalent

Analog range covered

0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

0 1/7 2/7 3/7 4/7 5/7 6/7 1

0 to 1/14 1/14 to 3/14 3/14 to 5/14 5/14 to 7/14 7/14 to 9/14 9/14 to 11/14 11/14 to 13/14 13/14 to 14/14

7.2.2 Process interface A typical plant with large number of variables contains abundance of process information (data). Therefore, process information can be classified under several classes (groups). Then a specialized device can be used to transfer all information of a specific class into and out of the computer. This way designing different I/O interface for each I/O device to be connected to the computer is avoided. In fact, most process data can be grouped into four major categories as listed in Table 2. Table 2: Categories of process information Type Example

  1. Digital Relay Switch Solenoid valve Motor drive

  2. Generalized digital Laboratory instrument output Alphanumerical displays

  3. Pulse or pulse train Turbine flow meter Stepping motor

  4. Analog Thermocouple or strain gauge (millivolt) Process instrumentation (4 – 20 mA) Other sensors (0 -5 Volt)

The digital input/output signals can be easily handled because the match the computer representation format. The digital interface can be designed to have multiple registers, each with the same number of bits as the basic computer word. In this way a full word of 16-bit can represent 16 separate process binary variables and can be transmitted to the computer at one time and stored. Each bit will determine the state of a specific process input lie. For example, a state of 1 means the input is on and 0 means off or vice verse. The generalized digital information usually uses binary coded decimal and ranges from 0000 to 9999. Hence, a 16-bit register can be used as interface device to

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transmit 4 digits of result because four-bits are necessary to represent one digit (0-9) of binary coded decimal. In the input pulse information case, a single register (interface device) is designed for each input line. The register ordinarily consists of pulse counter. The accumulated pulses over a specified length of time are transferred to the computer in binary or BCD count. The output pulse interface consists of a device to generate a continuous train of pulses followed by a gate. The gate is turned on and off by the computer. The analog input information must be digitized by ADC before fed to the computer. Since the process has a large number of analog sensing devices, a multiplexer is used to switch selectively among various analog signals. The main purpose of a multiplexer is to avoid the necessity of using a single ADC for each input line. The DAC devise performs the reverse operation. Each analog output line from the computer has its own dedicated DAC. The DAC is designed such that it holds (freeze) a previous output signal until another command is issued by the computer. 7.2.3 Timing The control computer must be able to keep track of time (real time) in order to be able to initiate data acquisition operations and calculate control outputs or to initiate supervisory optimization on a desired schedule. Hence, all control computers will contain at least one hardware timing device. The so-called real-time clock represents one technique. This device is nothing more than a pulse generator that interrupts the computer on a periodic basis and identifies itself as interrupting device. 7.2.4 Operator interface. The operator interface is generally a terminal upon which the operator can communicate with the system. Such terminals usually permit displaying graphical information. Often these display consoles are color terminals for better visibility and recognition of key variables. The operator will use the keyboard portion of the terminal to perform specific tasks. For example, the operator can type in requests for information or displaying trends, changing controller parameters or set points, adding new control loop, and so on. 7.3 Digital control software To make the best use of a DCS system, an advance control strategy or supervisory optimization can be incorporated in the main host computer. In the past, computer control projects are written in assembly language, an extremely tedious procedure. Nowadays most user software is written in higher-level languages such as BASIC, FORTRAN, C etc. In many cases, the user is able to utilize the template routines supplied by the vendor, and is required only to duplicate these routines and interconnect them to fit his own application purposes. Another way is to write his own complete control program and implement it. Other software in the form of control-oriented programming languages is supplied by the vendor of process control computers. A simpler approach for the user is to utilize vendor-supplied firmware or software to avoid writing programs. Currently, most DCS manufacturers develop their own advance control and optimization software,

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which can included in the package as options. Similarly, many control algorithm developers; (DMC, ASPEN, etc) design a special interface to allow incorporating their own control programs into most of the commercial DCS network. 8. Conclusion Digitally-based control instrumentation represents a revolutionary change in the process control paradigm. With digital systems the control engineer has the opportunity to go beyond the narrow limitation of standard analog control components to construct a system that is optimum for the information processing and control requirements of large processes or even of entire plants. This is why many industrial plants are updating their hardware and instrumentation systems bearing in mind that the payout times for installation and commissioning costs is as a low as three to four months.

Based on the provided content, here are the main points for each topic:

CC Network:

  • The computer control network performs various tasks such as data acquisition, servicing of display units, data logging, and control of processes.
  • It can be a simple network of inexpensive or a large commercial distributed control system (DCS).
  • In small processes, a network of personal computers can be used for data acquisition and control.
  • Local computers are linked to the main computer and connected to the process through one-way or two-way links.
  • Each local computer has specific function, such as data acquisition or local control.

Supervisory Control:

  • Supervisory control involves resetting the set points for local controllers according to computer calculations.
  • It allows incorporating modern control technologies and can be carried out in industrial applications.
  • Measurements are transmitted to the computer, and control signals are sent from the computer to control valves at a specific time interval known as the sampling time.

PC Network:

  • In smaller processes like laboratory prototype or pilot plants, a network of personal computers can be configured for data acquisition and control.
  • The network consists of a main computer linked directly to the process, with other local computers linked to the main computer.
  • Each local computer has a video display and serves specific functions like data acquisition, local control, or both.
  • Computers in the network operate with a multitasking operating system and are configured with local memory and storage.

Commercial DCS:

  • Distributed Control Systems (DCS) are used in complex pilot plants and full-scale plants with a large number of control loops.
  • DCS systems offer flexibility in system design, ease of expansion, and reliability.
  • They are equipped with optimization, high-performance model-building, and control software options.
  • DCS networks consist of various parts of the plant processes and several parts of the DCS network elements connected via a data highway.
  • A supervisory (host) computer is set at the top of the hierarchy, performing higher-level functions such as optimization and special control procedures.

These points provide an overview of the topics mentioned in the content.

can you give me the points of local vs distributed system based on this content ??: Introduction to HMI

HMI stands for Human Machine Interface. Generally, it refers to a screen or dashboard that communicates information, data and metrics using graphics or visual representations of numbers. The screen is controlled by an operator who monitors and controls equipment and processes in factories and plants.

Function of HMI

HMIs allow operators to start and stop cycles, adjust set points, and perform other functions required to adjust and interact with a control process. Because the HMI is software based, they replace physical wires and controls with software parameters, allowing them to be adapted and adjusted very easily.

Example

A Human-Machine Interface (HMI) is defined as a feature or component of a certain device or software application that enables humans to engage and interact with machines. Some examples of common Human Machine Interface devices that we encounter in our daily lives include touchscreens and keyboards.

HMI in PLCs

A human-machine interface (HMI) is the user interface that connects an operator to

the controller for an industrial system. ... HMIs are usually deployed on Windows- based machines, communicating with programmable logic controllers (PLC) and

other industrial controllers. Difference B/W PLC & HMI

Most modern control systems employ a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) as a means to control motors, pumps, valves and various other equipment used in a process. Computer based HMI (Human Machine Interface) products provide the means by which process personnel interact with the PLC control system.

HMI Software

Use WinCC Advanced (TIA Portal) Engineering Software and the separate Runtime Software Packages WinCC Advanced (TIA Portal) Runtime for PC-based machine level HMI. HMI, or Human Machine Interface, is an interactive screen that provides information, data, and situational metrics of a given system to a human user operating the HMI screen. A common misconception falls on the similarities between SCADA systems and human machine interface systems. Human-machine interface (HMI) software is often driven by the hardware selected, such as operator interface terminal (OIT), embedded PC or PC-based. Often the hardware selection simplifies the HMI software development. How to learn HMI programming and development

  1. Install the software and become familiar with it.
  2. Create basic input and output structures tied to a PLC-based process.
  3. Explore intermediate functions of an HMI terminal.
  4. Work on both your design skills. Best HMI software list in Industrial Automation • HMI Software – Rockwell Software. • Factory Talk View Machine Edition. • Factory Talk View Point. • RS View 32. • HMI Software – Schneider Electric. • Eco Structure Operator Terminal Expert. • Eco Structure Machine SCADA Expert. • Vijeo Designer.

HMI screens allow industrial operators to interact through a graphical user interface or GUI that facilitates information exchange and communication between two types of HMI — supervisory and machine level. Development teams can use HMI design software, like Storyboard, powered by Crank Software HMI Design HMI Design is the practice of building HMI screens that are intuitive to the end user, pleasing to the eye and are efficient to operate. As control systems within manufacturing are migrated from traditional push button designs to primarily operate from HMI displays, HMI Design has become trivial to any new installation. Although there is a wide range of HMI based systems, the basic principles of good design remain the same. Different industries may dictate different patterns of layout for their systems, but the good practices remain. ___HMI screens can vary in size, color, button availability and user inputs. We should explore each one of these parameters and go over their impact on the hmi design.

Screen Size/ Color Most Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) offer HMI screens of different sizes. For example, the Allen Bradley Panel View 7 line has screens ranging from 4 inches to 15 inches in diagonal. Although the smaller screens will come at a much lower cost, it is important to note that they won’t be suited for designs that involve large systems or ones with a lot of detail. Screen Size will generally dictate how intricate the HMI design can be. It is usually possible to migrate a design that was designed for a smaller screen onto a bigger HMI, but not the other way around. In other words, it’s not advised to shrink the elements designed for a larger screen; it’s always best to create additional pages that would break down the hmi screens. Although OEMs do not typically restrict the number of elements on a specific screen, dedicated smaller screens generally have less RAM than larger ones. This leads to additional latency issues when a large number of elements are added. On Terminal Push Buttons vs Touch Screen Although these types of terminals are becoming less common, we still see Siemens, Allen Bradley as well as several other OEMs release HMI terminals that support push buttons. These push buttons enable a different HMI design that relies on these inputs. Furthermore, Allen Bradley still supports terminals on which the navigation is primarily accomplished through push buttons. These terminals will have different configurations than pure touch screen counterparts. The reason is that you typically want to take advantage of these functionalities for navigation, key functions or otherwise. Therefore, the hmi design will differ. User Inputs HMI Terminals come in many flavors; we’ll explore them in much more detail below. However, it’s important to note that HMI terminals may utilize various devices as inputs to the terminal. These variations will impact the design and the overall layout of the terminal. An example would be the capability of an Allen Bradley Panel View Standard HMI being capable of a single PLC connection. The design may require the engineer to create a separate entry of the data through the same PLC. The trade off is that the HMI design will need to update at a different rate and monitor the connection; therefore, it may reduce the latency of the HMI terminal. Other inputs may include communication protocols (RS232, EtherNet, PROFIBUS, ControlNet, DeviceNet,

HMI Navigation - Shallow Design A shallow HMI design will utilize the top level navigation as an access point to most elements. In other words, the user will access every screen of the HMI from the “Overview” screen. Here’s the nested layout of each screen based on this layout, followed by a small diagram.

Overview Control Application Settings Area 1 Area n Face Plate 1 Face Plate n

Local vs Distributed HMI Design will differ depending on the nature of the HMI terminal. A distributed solution will typically involve a much higher number of connections and areas. This will in turn dictate a larger number of tags to display, more screens to include and a difference in controls. Dense HMIs will be typically accessed using a keyboard and mouse while traditional, on machine HMIs, are accessed using the touch screen.

HMI Design - Key Elements As mentioned above, an HMI screen must be intuitive, easy to navigate and provide adequate control / view of the process. In this section, we’ll cover the key elements you will find on most HMI terminals, discuss their utility and best practices of HMI design for each one of those elements. HMI Navigation Design A typical HMI will host at least 10 different screens. From our experience, here’s a typical breakdown: • Overview | The screen used to see the high level status of a process / area. • Control | The screen used to change key parameters of a process / area. • Settings | The screen used to change application / control level parameters. • Area 1 - n | The screen used for a certain area of the process. • Control Face Plate | Pop-Up screens used to change / view certain set points of a specific device (Ex: motor, valve, pump, tank, etc.)

Based on the provided content, here are the points of comparison between local and distributed systems in HMI design:

Local System:

  • In a local system, the HMI screen is typically located on the machine or equipment itself.
  • The HMI screen is accessed using a touch screen interface or physical push buttons.
  • The HMI design is focused on the specific machine or equipment and its control parameters.
  • The number of screens is usually limited, with screens for overview, control, and settings.
  • The design may include specific face plates for controlling individual devices like motors, valves, pumps, etc.
  • The HMI interaction is typically shallow, with top-level navigation providing access to most elements.

Distributed System:

  • In a distributed system, the HMI screens are accessed remotely, often through a network connection.
  • The HMI screens can be accessed using a variety of devices, including keyboards and mice.
  • The HMI design is more extensive and can include multiple screens for different areas and processes.
  • The design may involve more complex controls, as there are more connections and areas to monitor.
  • The HMI navigation may be more intricate, with nested screens for different levels of control and monitoring.
  • The distributed system may involve multiple connections and communication protocols.

Overall, the local system is focused on a specific machine or equipment, with a limited number of screens simpler controls. In contrast, the distributed system allows for remote access and control of multiple areas and processes, requiring a more extensive and complex HMI design.

can you give me the details of HMI software and list details based on this content: ?? Introduction to HMI

HMI stands for Human Machine Interface. Generally, it refers to a screen or dashboard that communicates information, data and metrics using graphics or visual representations of numbers. The screen is controlled by an operator who monitors and controls equipment and processes in factories and plants.

Function of HMI

HMIs allow operators to start and stop cycles, adjust set points, and perform other functions required to adjust and interact with a control process. Because the HMI is software based, they replace physical wires and controls with software parameters, allowing them to be adapted and adjusted very easily.

Example

A Human-Machine Interface (HMI) is defined as a feature or component of a certain device or software application that enables humans to engage and interact with machines. Some examples of common Human Machine Interface devices that we encounter in our daily lives include touchscreens and keyboards.

HMI in PLCs

A human-machine interface (HMI) is the user interface that connects an operator to

the controller for an industrial system. ... HMIs are usually deployed on Windows- based machines, communicating with programmable logic controllers (PLC) and

other industrial controllers. Difference B/W PLC & HMI

Most modern control systems employ a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) as a means to control motors, pumps, valves and various other equipment used in a process. Computer based HMI (Human Machine Interface) products provide the means by which process personnel interact with the PLC control system.

HMI Software

Use WinCC Advanced (TIA Portal) Engineering Software and the separate Runtime Software Packages WinCC Advanced (TIA Portal) Runtime for PC-based machine level HMI. HMI, or Human Machine Interface, is an interactive screen that provides information, data, and situational metrics of a given system to a human user operating the HMI screen. A common misconception falls on the similarities between SCADA systems and human machine interface systems. Human-machine interface (HMI) software is often driven by the hardware selected, such as operator interface terminal (OIT), embedded PC or PC-based. Often the hardware selection simplifies the HMI software development. How to learn HMI programming and development

  1. Install the software and become familiar with it.
  2. Create basic input and output structures tied to a PLC-based process.
  3. Explore intermediate functions of an HMI terminal.
  4. Work on both your design skills. Best HMI software list in Industrial Automation • HMI Software – Rockwell Software. • Factory Talk View Machine Edition. • Factory Talk View Point. • RS View 32. • HMI Software – Schneider Electric. • Eco Structure Operator Terminal Expert. • Eco Structure Machine SCADA Expert. • Vijeo Designer.

HMI screens allow industrial operators to interact through a graphical user interface or GUI that facilitates information exchange and communication between two types of HMI — supervisory and machine level. Development teams can use HMI design software, like Storyboard, powered by Crank Software HMI Design HMI Design is the practice of building HMI screens that are intuitive to the end user, pleasing to the eye and are efficient to operate. As control systems within manufacturing are migrated from traditional push button designs to primarily operate from HMI displays, HMI Design has become trivial to any new installation. Although there is a wide range of HMI based systems, the basic principles of good design remain the same. Different industries may dictate different patterns of layout for their systems, but the good practices remain. ___HMI screens can vary in size, color, button availability and user inputs. We should explore each one of these parameters and go over their impact on the hmi design.

Screen Size/ Color Most Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) offer HMI screens of different sizes. For example, the Allen Bradley Panel View 7 line has screens ranging from 4 inches to 15 inches in diagonal. Although the smaller screens will come at a much lower cost, it is important to note that they won’t be suited for designs that involve large systems or ones with a lot of detail. Screen Size will generally dictate how intricate the HMI design can be. It is usually possible to migrate a design that was designed for a smaller screen onto a bigger HMI, but not the other way around. In other words, it’s not advised to shrink the elements designed for a larger screen; it’s always best to create additional pages that would break down the hmi screens. Although OEMs do not typically restrict the number of elements on a specific screen, dedicated smaller screens generally have less RAM than larger ones. This leads to additional latency issues when a large number of elements are added. On Terminal Push Buttons vs Touch Screen Although these types of terminals are becoming less common, we still see Siemens, Allen Bradley as well as several other OEMs release HMI terminals that support push buttons. These push buttons enable a different HMI design that relies on these inputs. Furthermore, Allen Bradley still supports terminals on which the navigation is primarily accomplished through push buttons. These terminals will have different configurations than pure touch screen counterparts. The reason is that you typically want to take advantage of these functionalities for navigation, key functions or otherwise. Therefore, the hmi design will differ. User Inputs HMI Terminals come in many flavors; we’ll explore them in much more detail below. However, it’s important to note that HMI terminals may utilize various devices as inputs to the terminal. These variations will impact the design and the overall layout of the terminal. An example would be the capability of an Allen Bradley Panel View Standard HMI being capable of a single PLC connection. The design may require the engineer to create a separate entry of the data through the same PLC. The trade off is that the HMI design will need to update at a different rate and monitor the connection; therefore, it may reduce the latency of the HMI terminal. Other inputs may include communication protocols (RS232, EtherNet, PROFIBUS, ControlNet, DeviceNet,

HMI Navigation - Shallow Design A shallow HMI design will utilize the top level navigation as an access point to most elements. In other words, the user will access every screen of the HMI from the “Overview” screen. Here’s the nested layout of each screen based on this layout, followed by a small diagram.

Overview Control Application Settings Area 1 Area n Face Plate 1 Face Plate n

Local vs Distributed HMI Design will differ depending on the nature of the HMI terminal. A distributed solution will typically involve a much higher number of connections and areas. This will in turn dictate a larger number of tags to display, more screens to include and a difference in controls. Dense HMIs will be typically accessed using a keyboard and mouse while traditional, on machine HMIs, are accessed using the touch screen.

HMI Design - Key Elements As mentioned above, an HMI screen must be intuitive, easy to navigate and provide adequate control / view of the process. In this section, we’ll cover the key elements you will find on most HMI terminals, discuss their utility and best practices of HMI design for each one of those elements. HMI Navigation Design A typical HMI will host at least 10 different screens. From our experience, here’s a typical breakdown: • Overview | The screen used to see the high level status of a process / area. • Control | The screen used to change key parameters of a process / area. • Settings | The screen used to change application / control level parameters. • Area 1 - n | The screen used for a certain area of the process. • Control Face Plate | Pop-Up screens used to change / view certain set points of a specific device (Ex: motor, valve, pump, tank, etc.)

Based on the provided content, here is a of HMI software and some details about them:

  1. Rockwell Software - Rockwell Automation offers HMI software solutions for industrial automation. Their software provides a user-friendly interface for monitoring and controlling processes.

  2. FactoryTalk Machine Edition - FactoryTalk View Machine Edition is an HMI software from Rockwell Automation. It allows users to interact with their machines and provides features such as data logging and alarm management.

  3. FactoryTalk View Point - FactoryTalk View Point is another HMI software from Rockwell Automation. It enables remote access to HMI screens, allowing users to monitor and control machines from anywhere.

  4. RS View 32 - RS View 32 is an HMI software from Rockwell Automation that is used for visualization and control of manufacturing processes. It offers a wide range of features for creating and managingMI applications.

5 Schneider Electric - Schneider Electric provides HMI software solutions for industrial automation. Their software is designed to provide an intuitive interface for operators to monitor and control processes.

  1. EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert - EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert is an HMI software from Schneider Electric. It offers advanced features for designing and implementing HMI applications.

  2. EcoStruxure Machine SCADA Expert - EcoStruxure Machine SCADA Expert is another HMI software from Schneider Electric. It is designed for machine-level HMI applications and provides powerful tools for visualization and control.

  3. Vijeo Designer - Vijeo Designer is an HMI software from Schneider Electric. It offers a user-friendly interface for creating customized HMI applications and supports a wide range of communication protocols.

These are some popular HMI software solutions used in industrial automation. Each software offers its own set of features and capabilities, and the choice of software depends on the specific requirements and preferences the user.

can you give me the types of HMI based on this content ??: Introduction to HMI

HMI stands for Human Machine Interface. Generally, it refers to a screen or dashboard that communicates information, data and metrics using graphics or visual representations of numbers. The screen is controlled by an operator who monitors and controls equipment and processes in factories and plants.

Function of HMI

HMIs allow operators to start and stop cycles, adjust set points, and perform other functions required to adjust and interact with a control process. Because the HMI is software based, they replace physical wires and controls with software parameters, allowing them to be adapted and adjusted very easily.

Example

A Human-Machine Interface (HMI) is defined as a feature or component of a certain device or software application that enables humans to engage and interact with machines. Some examples of common Human Machine Interface devices that we encounter in our daily lives include touchscreens and keyboards.

HMI in PLCs

A human-machine interface (HMI) is the user interface that connects an operator to

the controller for an industrial system. ... HMIs are usually deployed on Windows- based machines, communicating with programmable logic controllers (PLC) and

other industrial controllers. Difference B/W PLC & HMI

Most modern control systems employ a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) as a means to control motors, pumps, valves and various other equipment used in a process. Computer based HMI (Human Machine Interface) products provide the means by which process personnel interact with the PLC control system.

HMI Software

Use WinCC Advanced (TIA Portal) Engineering Software and the separate Runtime Software Packages WinCC Advanced (TIA Portal) Runtime for PC-based machine level HMI. HMI, or Human Machine Interface, is an interactive screen that provides information, data, and situational metrics of a given system to a human user operating the HMI screen. A common misconception falls on the similarities between SCADA systems and human machine interface systems. Human-machine interface (HMI) software is often driven by the hardware selected, such as operator interface terminal (OIT), embedded PC or PC-based. Often the hardware selection simplifies the HMI software development. How to learn HMI programming and development

  1. Install the software and become familiar with it.
  2. Create basic input and output structures tied to a PLC-based process.
  3. Explore intermediate functions of an HMI terminal.
  4. Work on both your design skills. Best HMI software list in Industrial Automation • HMI Software – Rockwell Software. • Factory Talk View Machine Edition. • Factory Talk View Point. • RS View 32. • HMI Software – Schneider Electric. • Eco Structure Operator Terminal Expert. • Eco Structure Machine SCADA Expert. • Vijeo Designer.

HMI screens allow industrial operators to interact through a graphical user interface or GUI that facilitates information exchange and communication between two types of HMI — supervisory and machine level. Development teams can use HMI design software, like Storyboard, powered by Crank Software HMI Design HMI Design is the practice of building HMI screens that are intuitive to the end user, pleasing to the eye and are efficient to operate. As control systems within manufacturing are migrated from traditional push button designs to primarily operate from HMI displays, HMI Design has become trivial to any new installation. Although there is a wide range of HMI based systems, the basic principles of good design remain the same. Different industries may dictate different patterns of layout for their systems, but the good practices remain. ___HMI screens can vary in size, color, button availability and user inputs. We should explore each one of these parameters and go over their impact on the hmi design.

Screen Size/ Color Most Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) offer HMI screens of different sizes. For example, the Allen Bradley Panel View 7 line has screens ranging from 4 inches to 15 inches in diagonal. Although the smaller screens will come at a much lower cost, it is important to note that they won’t be suited for designs that involve large systems or ones with a lot of detail. Screen Size will generally dictate how intricate the HMI design can be. It is usually possible to migrate a design that was designed for a smaller screen onto a bigger HMI, but not the other way around. In other words, it’s not advised to shrink the elements designed for a larger screen; it’s always best to create additional pages that would break down the hmi screens. Although OEMs do not typically restrict the number of elements on a specific screen, dedicated smaller screens generally have less RAM than larger ones. This leads to additional latency issues when a large number of elements are added. On Terminal Push Buttons vs Touch Screen Although these types of terminals are becoming less common, we still see Siemens, Allen Bradley as well as several other OEMs release HMI terminals that support push buttons. These push buttons enable a different HMI design that relies on these inputs. Furthermore, Allen Bradley still supports terminals on which the navigation is primarily accomplished through push buttons. These terminals will have different configurations than pure touch screen counterparts. The reason is that you typically want to take advantage of these functionalities for navigation, key functions or otherwise. Therefore, the hmi design will differ. User Inputs HMI Terminals come in many flavors; we’ll explore them in much more detail below. However, it’s important to note that HMI terminals may utilize various devices as inputs to the terminal. These variations will impact the design and the overall layout of the terminal. An example would be the capability of an Allen Bradley Panel View Standard HMI being capable of a single PLC connection. The design may require the engineer to create a separate entry of the data through the same PLC. The trade off is that the HMI design will need to update at a different rate and monitor the connection; therefore, it may reduce the latency of the HMI terminal. Other inputs may include communication protocols (RS232, EtherNet, PROFIBUS, ControlNet, DeviceNet,

HMI Navigation - Shallow Design A shallow HMI design will utilize the top level navigation as an access point to most elements. In other words, the user will access every screen of the HMI from the “Overview” screen. Here’s the nested layout of each screen based on this layout, followed by a small diagram.

Overview Control Application Settings Area 1 Area n Face Plate 1 Face Plate n

Local vs Distributed HMI Design will differ depending on the nature of the HMI terminal. A distributed solution will typically involve a much higher number of connections and areas. This will in turn dictate a larger number of tags to display, more screens to include and a difference in controls. Dense HMIs will be typically accessed using a keyboard and mouse while traditional, on machine HMIs, are accessed using the touch screen.

HMI Design - Key Elements As mentioned above, an HMI screen must be intuitive, easy to navigate and provide adequate control / view of the process. In this section, we’ll cover the key elements you will find on most HMI terminals, discuss their utility and best practices of HMI design for each one of those elements. HMI Navigation Design A typical HMI will host at least 10 different screens. From our experience, here’s a typical breakdown: • Overview | The screen used to see the high level status of a process / area. • Control | The screen used to change key parameters of a process / area. • Settings | The screen used to change application / control level parameters. • Area 1 - n | The screen used for a certain area of the process. • Control Face Plate | Pop-Up screens used to change / view certain set points of a specific device (Ex: motor, valve, pump, tank, etc.)

Based on the provided content, the types HMI can be categorized as follows:

  1. Supervisory HMI: This type of HMI provides an overview of the entire system or process. It allows operators to monitor and control various areas or processes at a high level. The overview screen provides a holistic view of the system's status.

  2. Machine Level HMI: This type of HMI focuses on specific machines or equipment. It provides detailed information about individual machines and allows operators to perform functions like starting/stopping cycles, adjusting set points, and interacting with specific devices like motors, valves, pumps, etc.

  3. Local HMI: This refers to HMI screens that are located on the machine or equipment itself. It is typically accessed through a touch screen interface or physical push buttons. The design is specific to the machine or equipment it is connected to, with limited screens controls.

  4. Distributed HMI: This refers to HMI that are accessed remotely, often through a network connection. It allows operators to monitor control multiple areas or processes from a central location. The design is more extensive and complex, with a larger number of screens and controls.

  5. Touch Screen HMI: This type of HMI allows users to interact with the screen using touch inputs. It eliminates the need for physical buttons and provides a more intuitive and user-friendly interface.

  6. Push Button HMI: Although less common nowadays, some HMI terminals still support push buttons as input devices. These HMI terminals have a different design that takes advantage of these button inputs for navigation and specific functions.

The choice of HMI type depends on factors such as the nature of the system or process, the level of control and monitoring required, and the user's preferences and requirements.

can you give me the information of PLC counter , timer instruction and its patterm block based on this content???: PLC TIMERS

PLC timers are internal PLC instructions that can be used to delay input and output signals in the PLC program. These timers operate like relay timers but you cannot hold a PLC timer in your hand and they do not need to be connected to wires to operate. The timer is used to indicate that the input is turned ON/OFF or to create a delay. Counters are used to count the set of events that have occurred and the latch or unlatch is used to lock something ON or to turn it off.Both the timer and counter would function as output instructions in a PLC program.

Fig.Timers in PLC Programming

PLC Timer Instructions A timer is a PLC instruction measuring the amount of time elapsed following an event.

Timer instructions come in two basic types: on-delay timers and off- delay timers. Both “on-delay” and “off-delay” timer instructions have

single inputs triggering the timed function. An “on-delay” timer activates an output only when the input has been active for a minimum amount of time.

PLC Timer Instructions Take for instance this PLC program, designed to sound an audio alarm siren prior to starting a conveyor belt.

To start the conveyor belt motor, the operator must press and hold the “Start” push-button for 10 seconds, during which time the siren sounds, warning people to clear away from the conveyor belt that is about to start. Only after this 10-second start delay does the motor actually start (and latch “on”): Similar to an “up” counter, the on-delay timer’s elapsed time (ET) value increments once per second until the preset time (PT) is reached, at which time its output (Q) activates. In this program, the preset time value is 10 seconds, which means the Q output will not activate until the “Start” switch has been depressed for 10 seconds. The alarm siren output, which is not activated by the timer, energizes immediately when the “Start” push-button is pressed. An important detail regarding this particular timer’s operation is that it be non-retentive. This means the timer instruction should not retain its elapsed time value when the input is de-activated. Instead, the elapsed time value should reset back to zero every time the input de-activates. This ensures the timer resets itself when the operator releases the “Start” push-button. A retentive on delay timer, by contrast, maintains its elapsed time value even when the input is de-activated. This makes it useful for keeping “running total” times for some event.

For example, if we wished to add a retentive timer to our conveyor control system to record total run time for the conveyor motor, we could do so using an “enabled” IEC 61131-3 timer instruction like this: When the motor’s contactor bit (OUT contactor) is active, the timer is enabled and allowed to time. However, when that bit de-activates (becomes “false”), the timer instruction as a whole is disabled, causing it to “freeze” and retain its current time (CT) value ( Note 1 ). This allows the motor to be started and stopped, with the timer maintaining a tally of total motor run time. Note 1 : The “enable out” (ENO) signal on the timer instruction serves to indicate the instruction’s status: it activates when the enable input (EN) activates and de-activates when either the enable input de-activates or the instruction generates an error condition (as determined by the PLC manufacturer’s internal programming). The ENO output signal serves no useful purpose in this particular program, but it is available if there were any need for other rungs of the program to be “aware” of the run-time timer’s status. If we wished to give the operator the ability to manually reset the total run time value to zero, we could hard-wire an additional switch to the PLC’s discrete input card and add “reset” contacts to the program like this:

Whenever the “Reset” switch is pressed, the timer is enabled (EN)

but the timing input (IN) is disabled, forcing the timer to (non- retentively) reset its current time (CT) value to zero.

The other major type of PLC timer instruction is the off-delay timer. This timer instruction differs from the on-delay type in that the timing function begins as soon as the instruction is deactivated, not when it is activated. An application for an off-delay timer is a cooling fan motor control for a large industrial engine. In this system, the PLC starts an electric cooling fan as soon as the engine is detected as rotating, and keeps that fan running for two minutes following the engine’s shut-down to dissipate residual heat: When the input (IN) to this timer instruction is activated, the output (Q) immediately activates (with no time delay at all) to turn on the cooling fan motor contactor. This provides the engine with cooling as soon as it begins to rotate (as detected by the speed switch connected to the PLC’s discrete input).

When the engine stops rotating, the speed switch returns to its normally-open position, de-activating the timer’s input signal which starts the timing sequence. The Q output remains active while the timer counts from 0 seconds to 120 seconds. As soon as it reaches 120 seconds, the output de-activates (shutting off the cooling fan motor) and the elapsed time value remains at 120 seconds until the input re-activates, at which time it resets back to zero. PLC Counter: A counter is a PLC instruction that either increments (counts up) or decrements (counts down) an integer number value when prompted by the transition of a bit from 0 to 1 (“false” to “true”).

PLC Counter Instructions: Counter instructions come in three basic types:

  1. up counters,
  2. down counters, and
  3. up/down counters.

Both “up” and “down” counter instructions have single inputs for triggering counts, whereas “up/down” counters have two trigger inputs: one to make the counter increment and one to make the counter decrement. Example 1: To illustrate the use of a counter instruction, we will analyse a PLC-based system designed to count objects as they pass down a conveyor or belt:

In this system, a continuous (unbroken) light beam causes the light sensor to close its output contact, energizing discrete channel IN4.

When an object on the conveyor belt interrupts the light beam from source to sensor, the sensor’s contact opens, interrupting power to input IN4. A push-button switch connected to activate discrete input IN5 when pressed will serve as a manual “reset” of the count value. An indicator lamp connected to one of the discrete output channels will serve as an indicator of when the object count value has exceeded some pre-set limit. We will now analyse a simple Ladder Diagram program designed to increment a counter instruction each time the light beam breaks:

This particular counter instruction (CTU) is an incrementing counter, which means it counts “up” with each off-to-on transition input to its “CU” input. The normally-closed virtual contact (IN sensor object) is typically held in the “open” state when the light beam is continuous, by virtue of the fact the sensor holds that discrete input channel energized while the beam is continuous. When the beam is broken by a passing object on the conveyor belt, the input channel de-energizes, causing the virtual contact IN

sensor object to “close” and send virtual power to the “CU” input of the counter instruction. This increments the counter just as the leading edge of the object breaks the beam. The second input of the counter instruction box (“R”) is the reset input, receiving virtual power from the contact IN switch reset whenever the reset pushbutton is pressed. If this input is activated, the counter immediately resets its current value (CV) to zero. Shift Registers & Its types A register is basically a storage space for units of memory that are used to transfer data for immediate use by the CPU (Central Processing Unit) for data processing. Also known as memory registers, they can actually form part of the computer processor as a processor register. The register is large enough to hold any kind of data, such as dates, instruction sets, storage addresses, bits, sequences, and characters. Some instruction sets are partly formed by registers. Types of registers include memory address register, memory buffer register, input output address register, input output buffer register, and shift register. In this lesson we will be focusing on shift registers. ➢ Shift registers are digital memory circuitry found in devices such as calculators, computers, and data processing systems. With the shift register, data or bits are entered into the system in a serial or parallel manner. They enter from one direction, and as more data is added, shift positions until they get to the output end. The two ends are referred to as the left and right ends. Movement of data can be from left to right, from right to left, or in both directions to make a bidirectional register. ➢ Shift registers can be implemented such that each bit may be held in a latch. The output of one latch can be connected to be the input of another latch. Think of multiple connectors used to extend an electric cord. With registers, data can be fed one bit at a time (serially) or can be loaded in a batch all at the same time (in parallel).

➢ Shift registers can serve as data storage spaces or data movement devices. They are therefore commonly implemented in devices such as calculators or computers. They serve as temporary storage units for binary data awaiting a mathematical operation such as addition or multiplication. Shift Register Types & Operations There are four different modes in which shift registers operate. These modes are determined by how the bits of data are shifted through the register. We'll now examine the different types of shift registers which can be implemented.

  1. Serial In-Serial Out (SISO) Shift Register In the serial in-serial out shift register, data is input serially until it reaches the output. At this time, it exits in a serial manner as well. The shifting (movement) of the data flows from left to right in the register. Each shift is initiated with a clock cycle. The figure below shows a 4-bit SISO register in operation:

Figure 1: SISO Shift Register 2. Serial In-Parallel Out (SIPO) Shift Register In a serial in-parallel out shift register, the data is input serially one bit at a time and output in a parallel form. Each bit is shifted on its own clock pulse. The table below shows an illustration of a 4-bit SIPO shift register with each clock pulse:

Clear CLK0 CLK1 CLK2 CLK3 1001 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1

On the first clock pulse (CLK 0), digit 1 on the right is loaded. On the second clock pulse (CLK1), digit 1, which is already loaded, is shifted right and digit 0 is loaded behind it. This shifting and loading continues on subsequent clock pulses until all inputs are loaded and output. 3. Parallel In-Serial Out (PISO) Shift Register The parallel in-serial out shift register receives the data input in parallel batches on every clock pulse and the data is shifted and output serially. This can be seen in the figure here:

Figure 3: PISO Shift Register

PLC Sequencer: The PLC Sequencer Instruction (SQO) is an output instruction. SQO instructions can perform the same specific “ON” or “OFF” patterns of outputs that are continuously repeated. The advantage of sequencer programming over the conventional program is the large savings of memory words. Typically, the sequencer program can do in 20 words what a standard program does in 100 words. By setting up a sequence of events, sequencers make programming simpler and any future changes easier to make. The sequencer output (SQO) instruction can be used to control output devices sequentially. The desired sequence of operation is stored in a data file or array, and this information is then transferred sequentially to the outputs.

PLC Sequencer Instruction

In the above block, we have six parameters File: Address of the reference sequencer file Mask: The address of the mask word or file through which the instruction moves data. Dest: Address of the output word or file for a SQO to which the instruction moves data from its sequencer file Control:

Instruction’s addressed and control element (3 words) that stores the status byte of the instruction, the length of the file, and the position in the file.

Length: Number of steps of the sequencer files starting at position 1. Position:

The word location or step in the sequencer file from/to which the instruction moves data. Refer the below Block,

Block Description: On successive false-to-true transitions, the SQO instruction moves a step through the programmed sequencer file, transferring step data through a mask to a destination word. The done bit is set when the last word of the sequencer file is transferred. On the next false-to-true transition, the instruction resets the position to step one. Let’s study the block using simple example,

PLC Program

RUNG 0000

Start and stop PB with sequencer input switch is connected with sequencer output block. Data file-Reference sequence file, B3:0, B3:1, B3:2 & B3:3 are sets to 1 for reference,

When Sequencer input I: 0/2 turns ON for first time, According to the reference file, O: 0/1 turns ON. Length is 4 & position is 1.

When Sequencer input I:0/2 turns ON for second time, According to the reference file, O:0/2 turns ON. Length is 4 & position is 2.

When Sequencer input I:0/2 turns ON for third time, According to the reference file, O:0/3 turns ON. Length is 4 & position is 3.

When Sequencer input I:0/2 turns ON for fourth time, All outputs in the off condition. Length is 4 & position is 4. It’s like reset, ready to start from beginning again.

Sequencer Compare Instruction (SQC):

The SQC instruction is used to reference data to monitor inputs is placed on the right side of the rung to compare the inputs with a reference word. The found bit (FD) in the command is set when the status of all the non-masked bits in the source word match the bits of the reference word.

The mask can be either fixed or variable. It is fixed if you enter a hexadecimal number and variable if you enter an element address or a file address for changing the mask with each step. With each false-to-true transition the instruction is incremented to the next step in the sequencer file. Data from the sequencer file is transferred through a mask and compared to the source data for equality. When the source data equals the reference data, the found bit is set in the SQC's control counter. Every scan the rung is true the current data is compared to the source.

Instruction Parameters Several parameters must be set when programming this instruction. A definition and explanation is of each is given below. FILE The file is the address of the sequencer file. The file indicator (#) for the address must be used. Used to reference data for monitoring inputs. MASK The mask is a hexadecimal code or the address of the mask word or file through which the instruction moves data. Masks bits can be set to pass data and reset to mask data. If you want to change the mask according to application requirements you can use a mask word or file. (If the mask is a file, its length will be equal to the length of the sequencer file.)

SOURCE The source is the address of the input word or file that SQC command uses to obtain data from comparison to the sequencer file.

CONTROL The control parameter is control structure to do the following: store the status byte of the instruction, length of the sequencer file, and the instantaneous position in the file. The control address cannot be used for any other instruction. Found bit FD (Bit 08) The found bit is set whenever the status of all non-masked bits in the source address match the corresponding reference word. Error Bit ER (11) This bit is set when the processor detects a negative position value or a negative or zero length value. This results in a major error if not cleared before the END or TND instruction is executed.

Done Bit DN (bit 13) The done bit is set by SQC instruction after it has operated on the last word in the sequencer file. It is reset on the next false-to-true rung transition after the rung goes false. Enable EN (bit 15) The enable bit is set by a false-to-true rung transition and indicates the SQC instruction is enabled.

LENGTH The length is the number of steps of the sequencer file starting at position

  1. The maximum number of words is 255 in Micro-Logix 1000 controllers the max. is 104 words. The zero position is the start-up position. At the end of each cycle the instruction resets to position 1. (A run time major error will occur if the length value points past the end of the programmed file.)

POSITION The position is the word location or step the sequencer file from/to which the instruction moves data. (A run time major error occurs if the position value points past the end of the programmed file.)

PLC Counter Instructions:

  1. Up Counter:
  • An up counter is a PLC instruction that increments (counts up) an integer number value when prompted by the transition of a bit from 0 to 1.
  • It has a single input triggering the count and increments the value by 1 with each triggering event.
  • The incrementing continues until it reaches a preset value, at which point the output may activate or trigger another action.
  1. Down Counter:
  • A down counter is a PLC instruction that decrements (counts down) an integer number value when prompted by the transition of a bit from 0 to 1.
  • It has a single input triggering the count and decrements the value by 1 with each triggering event.
  • The decrementing continues until it reaches a preset value or zero, at which point the output may activate or trigger another action.
  1. Up/Down Counter:
  • An up/down counter is PLC instruction that can both increment and decrement an integer number value based on separate trigger inputs.
  • It has two trigger inputs: one for incrementing the value and another foring the value.
  • The incrementing and decrementing actions occur based on the transitions of the corresponding trigger inputs.
  • The counter can be used to count up or down based on the specific application requirements.

PLC Timer Instructions:

  1. On-Delay Timer:
  • An on-delay timer is a PLC instruction that activates an output only when the input has been active for a minimum amount of time.
  • It has a single input triggering the timing function and a set timer value (preset time) that determines the minimum time the input must be active before the output activates.
  • The output remains inactive until the input has been active for the set time, after which the output activates.
  1. Off-Delay Timer:
  • An off-delay timer is a PLC instruction that deactivates an output only when the input has been inactive for a minimum amount of time.
  • It has a single input triggering the timing function and a set timer value (preset time) that determines the minimum time the input must be inactive before the output deactivates.
  • The output remains active until the input has been inactive for the set time, after which the output deactivates.

Pattern Block-Based Sequencer:

  • A pattern block-based sequencer in a PLC allows for sequential control of output devices.
  • The desired sequence of operation is stored in a data file or array.
  • The sequencer instruction can output devices sequentially based on the stored sequence.
  • The sequencer instruction has parameters such as the reference sequencer file, mask for moving data, destination output word or file, control parameters for status and position, length of the sequencer file, and position in the file.
  • Each time the sequencer input is activated, instruction moves a step through the programmed sequencer file and transfers step data through a mask to the destination word.
  • The done bit is set when the last word of theencer file is transferred, and the position resets to step one on the next transition of the sequencer input.

Sequencer Compare Instruction (SQC):

  • The SQC instruction is used to compare inputs to a reference word in a sequencer program.
  • It compares the source data with the reference data and sets the found bit if all non-masked bits match.
  • The mask can be fixed or variable, allowing for different comparisons with each step.
  • The control parameter stores the status byte, length of theencer file, and the instantaneous position in the file.
  • The found bit is set when the source data equals the reference data, and the error bit is set for any detected errors.
  • The done bit indicates when the instruction has operated on the last word in the sequencer file, and the enable bit enables the SQC instruction in the program.

Note: The given content provides some information about PLC counters, timers, and sequencers. For more detailed and specific instructions and programming examples, it is recommended to refer to the documentation or manuals provided by the PLC manufacturer or consult PLC programming resources.

can you give me details of sequence instruction and sequencer compare instruction based on this content ?? : PLC TIMERS

PLC timers are internal PLC instructions that can be used to delay input and output signals in the PLC program. These timers operate like relay timers but you cannot hold a PLC timer in your hand and they do not need to be connected to wires to operate. The timer is used to indicate that the input is turned ON/OFF or to create a delay. Counters are used to count the set of events that have occurred and the latch or unlatch is used to lock something ON or to turn it off.Both the timer and counter would function as output instructions in a PLC program.

Fig.Timers in PLC Programming

PLC Timer Instructions A timer is a PLC instruction measuring the amount of time elapsed following an event.

Timer instructions come in two basic types: on-delay timers and off- delay timers. Both “on-delay” and “off-delay” timer instructions have

single inputs triggering the timed function. An “on-delay” timer activates an output only when the input has been active for a minimum amount of time.

PLC Timer Instructions Take for instance this PLC program, designed to sound an audio alarm siren prior to starting a conveyor belt.

To start the conveyor belt motor, the operator must press and hold the “Start” push-button for 10 seconds, during which time the siren sounds, warning people to clear away from the conveyor belt that is about to start. Only after this 10-second start delay does the motor actually start (and latch “on”): Similar to an “up” counter, the on-delay timer’s elapsed time (ET) value increments once per second until the preset time (PT) is reached, at which time its output (Q) activates. In this program, the preset time value is 10 seconds, which means the Q output will not activate until the “Start” switch has been depressed for 10 seconds. The alarm siren output, which is not activated by the timer, energizes immediately when the “Start” push-button is pressed. An important detail regarding this particular timer’s operation is that it be non-retentive. This means the timer instruction should not retain its elapsed time value when the input is de-activated. Instead, the elapsed time value should reset back to zero every time the input de-activates. This ensures the timer resets itself when the operator releases the “Start” push-button. A retentive on delay timer, by contrast, maintains its elapsed time value even when the input is de-activated. This makes it useful for keeping “running total” times for some event.

For example, if we wished to add a retentive timer to our conveyor control system to record total run time for the conveyor motor, we could do so using an “enabled” IEC 61131-3 timer instruction like this: When the motor’s contactor bit (OUT contactor) is active, the timer is enabled and allowed to time. However, when that bit de-activates (becomes “false”), the timer instruction as a whole is disabled, causing it to “freeze” and retain its current time (CT) value ( Note 1 ). This allows the motor to be started and stopped, with the timer maintaining a tally of total motor run time. Note 1 : The “enable out” (ENO) signal on the timer instruction serves to indicate the instruction’s status: it activates when the enable input (EN) activates and de-activates when either the enable input de-activates or the instruction generates an error condition (as determined by the PLC manufacturer’s internal programming). The ENO output signal serves no useful purpose in this particular program, but it is available if there were any need for other rungs of the program to be “aware” of the run-time timer’s status. If we wished to give the operator the ability to manually reset the total run time value to zero, we could hard-wire an additional switch to the PLC’s discrete input card and add “reset” contacts to the program like this:

Whenever the “Reset” switch is pressed, the timer is enabled (EN)

but the timing input (IN) is disabled, forcing the timer to (non- retentively) reset its current time (CT) value to zero.

The other major type of PLC timer instruction is the off-delay timer. This timer instruction differs from the on-delay type in that the timing function begins as soon as the instruction is deactivated, not when it is activated. An application for an off-delay timer is a cooling fan motor control for a large industrial engine. In this system, the PLC starts an electric cooling fan as soon as the engine is detected as rotating, and keeps that fan running for two minutes following the engine’s shut-down to dissipate residual heat: When the input (IN) to this timer instruction is activated, the output (Q) immediately activates (with no time delay at all) to turn on the cooling fan motor contactor. This provides the engine with cooling as soon as it begins to rotate (as detected by the speed switch connected to the PLC’s discrete input).

When the engine stops rotating, the speed switch returns to its normally-open position, de-activating the timer’s input signal which starts the timing sequence. The Q output remains active while the timer counts from 0 seconds to 120 seconds. As soon as it reaches 120 seconds, the output de-activates (shutting off the cooling fan motor) and the elapsed time value remains at 120 seconds until the input re-activates, at which time it resets back to zero. PLC Counter: A counter is a PLC instruction that either increments (counts up) or decrements (counts down) an integer number value when prompted by the transition of a bit from 0 to 1 (“false” to “true”).

PLC Counter Instructions: Counter instructions come in three basic types:

  1. up counters,
  2. down counters, and
  3. up/down counters.

Both “up” and “down” counter instructions have single inputs for triggering counts, whereas “up/down” counters have two trigger inputs: one to make the counter increment and one to make the counter decrement. Example 1: To illustrate the use of a counter instruction, we will analyse a PLC-based system designed to count objects as they pass down a conveyor or belt:

In this system, a continuous (unbroken) light beam causes the light sensor to close its output contact, energizing discrete channel IN4.

When an object on the conveyor belt interrupts the light beam from source to sensor, the sensor’s contact opens, interrupting power to input IN4. A push-button switch connected to activate discrete input IN5 when pressed will serve as a manual “reset” of the count value. An indicator lamp connected to one of the discrete output channels will serve as an indicator of when the object count value has exceeded some pre-set limit. We will now analyse a simple Ladder Diagram program designed to increment a counter instruction each time the light beam breaks:

This particular counter instruction (CTU) is an incrementing counter, which means it counts “up” with each off-to-on transition input to its “CU” input. The normally-closed virtual contact (IN sensor object) is typically held in the “open” state when the light beam is continuous, by virtue of the fact the sensor holds that discrete input channel energized while the beam is continuous. When the beam is broken by a passing object on the conveyor belt, the input channel de-energizes, causing the virtual contact IN

sensor object to “close” and send virtual power to the “CU” input of the counter instruction. This increments the counter just as the leading edge of the object breaks the beam. The second input of the counter instruction box (“R”) is the reset input, receiving virtual power from the contact IN switch reset whenever the reset pushbutton is pressed. If this input is activated, the counter immediately resets its current value (CV) to zero. Shift Registers & Its types A register is basically a storage space for units of memory that are used to transfer data for immediate use by the CPU (Central Processing Unit) for data processing. Also known as memory registers, they can actually form part of the computer processor as a processor register. The register is large enough to hold any kind of data, such as dates, instruction sets, storage addresses, bits, sequences, and characters. Some instruction sets are partly formed by registers. Types of registers include memory address register, memory buffer register, input output address register, input output buffer register, and shift register. In this lesson we will be focusing on shift registers. ➢ Shift registers are digital memory circuitry found in devices such as calculators, computers, and data processing systems. With the shift register, data or bits are entered into the system in a serial or parallel manner. They enter from one direction, and as more data is added, shift positions until they get to the output end. The two ends are referred to as the left and right ends. Movement of data can be from left to right, from right to left, or in both directions to make a bidirectional register. ➢ Shift registers can be implemented such that each bit may be held in a latch. The output of one latch can be connected to be the input of another latch. Think of multiple connectors used to extend an electric cord. With registers, data can be fed one bit at a time (serially) or can be loaded in a batch all at the same time (in parallel).

➢ Shift registers can serve as data storage spaces or data movement devices. They are therefore commonly implemented in devices such as calculators or computers. They serve as temporary storage units for binary data awaiting a mathematical operation such as addition or multiplication. Shift Register Types & Operations There are four different modes in which shift registers operate. These modes are determined by how the bits of data are shifted through the register. We'll now examine the different types of shift registers which can be implemented.

  1. Serial In-Serial Out (SISO) Shift Register In the serial in-serial out shift register, data is input serially until it reaches the output. At this time, it exits in a serial manner as well. The shifting (movement) of the data flows from left to right in the register. Each shift is initiated with a clock cycle. The figure below shows a 4-bit SISO register in operation:

Figure 1: SISO Shift Register 2. Serial In-Parallel Out (SIPO) Shift Register In a serial in-parallel out shift register, the data is input serially one bit at a time and output in a parallel form. Each bit is shifted on its own clock pulse. The table below shows an illustration of a 4-bit SIPO shift register with each clock pulse:

Clear CLK0 CLK1 CLK2 CLK3 1001 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1

On the first clock pulse (CLK 0), digit 1 on the right is loaded. On the second clock pulse (CLK1), digit 1, which is already loaded, is shifted right and digit 0 is loaded behind it. This shifting and loading continues on subsequent clock pulses until all inputs are loaded and output. 3. Parallel In-Serial Out (PISO) Shift Register The parallel in-serial out shift register receives the data input in parallel batches on every clock pulse and the data is shifted and output serially. This can be seen in the figure here:

Figure 3: PISO Shift Register

PLC Sequencer: The PLC Sequencer Instruction (SQO) is an output instruction. SQO instructions can perform the same specific “ON” or “OFF” patterns of outputs that are continuously repeated. The advantage of sequencer programming over the conventional program is the large savings of memory words. Typically, the sequencer program can do in 20 words what a standard program does in 100 words. By setting up a sequence of events, sequencers make programming simpler and any future changes easier to make. The sequencer output (SQO) instruction can be used to control output devices sequentially. The desired sequence of operation is stored in a data file or array, and this information is then transferred sequentially to the outputs.

PLC Sequencer Instruction

In the above block, we have six parameters File: Address of the reference sequencer file Mask: The address of the mask word or file through which the instruction moves data. Dest: Address of the output word or file for a SQO to which the instruction moves data from its sequencer file Control:

Instruction’s addressed and control element (3 words) that stores the status byte of the instruction, the length of the file, and the position in the file.

Length: Number of steps of the sequencer files starting at position 1. Position:

The word location or step in the sequencer file from/to which the instruction moves data. Refer the below Block,

Block Description: On successive false-to-true transitions, the SQO instruction moves a step through the programmed sequencer file, transferring step data through a mask to a destination word. The done bit is set when the last word of the sequencer file is transferred. On the next false-to-true transition, the instruction resets the position to step one. Let’s study the block using simple example,

PLC Program

RUNG 0000

Start and stop PB with sequencer input switch is connected with sequencer output block. Data file-Reference sequence file, B3:0, B3:1, B3:2 & B3:3 are sets to 1 for reference,

When Sequencer input I: 0/2 turns ON for first time, According to the reference file, O: 0/1 turns ON. Length is 4 & position is 1.

When Sequencer input I:0/2 turns ON for second time, According to the reference file, O:0/2 turns ON. Length is 4 & position is 2.

When Sequencer input I:0/2 turns ON for third time, According to the reference file, O:0/3 turns ON. Length is 4 & position is 3.

When Sequencer input I:0/2 turns ON for fourth time, All outputs in the off condition. Length is 4 & position is 4. It’s like reset, ready to start from beginning again.

Sequencer Compare Instruction (SQC):

The SQC instruction is used to reference data to monitor inputs is placed on the right side of the rung to compare the inputs with a reference word. The found bit (FD) in the command is set when the status of all the non-masked bits in the source word match the bits of the reference word.

The mask can be either fixed or variable. It is fixed if you enter a hexadecimal number and variable if you enter an element address or a file address for changing the mask with each step. With each false-to-true transition the instruction is incremented to the next step in the sequencer file. Data from the sequencer file is transferred through a mask and compared to the source data for equality. When the source data equals the reference data, the found bit is set in the SQC's control counter. Every scan the rung is true the current data is compared to the source.

Instruction Parameters Several parameters must be set when programming this instruction. A definition and explanation is of each is given below. FILE The file is the address of the sequencer file. The file indicator (#) for the address must be used. Used to reference data for monitoring inputs. MASK The mask is a hexadecimal code or the address of the mask word or file through which the instruction moves data. Masks bits can be set to pass data and reset to mask data. If you want to change the mask according to application requirements you can use a mask word or file. (If the mask is a file, its length will be equal to the length of the sequencer file.)

SOURCE The source is the address of the input word or file that SQC command uses to obtain data from comparison to the sequencer file.

CONTROL The control parameter is control structure to do the following: store the status byte of the instruction, length of the sequencer file, and the instantaneous position in the file. The control address cannot be used for any other instruction. Found bit FD (Bit 08) The found bit is set whenever the status of all non-masked bits in the source address match the corresponding reference word. Error Bit ER (11) This bit is set when the processor detects a negative position value or a negative or zero length value. This results in a major error if not cleared before the END or TND instruction is executed.

Done Bit DN (bit 13) The done bit is set by SQC instruction after it has operated on the last word in the sequencer file. It is reset on the next false-to-true rung transition after the rung goes false. Enable EN (bit 15) The enable bit is set by a false-to-true rung transition and indicates the SQC instruction is enabled.

LENGTH The length is the number of steps of the sequencer file starting at position

  1. The maximum number of words is 255 in Micro-Logix 1000 controllers the max. is 104 words. The zero position is the start-up position. At the end of each cycle the instruction resets to position 1. (A run time major error will occur if the length value points past the end of the programmed file.)

POSITION The position is the word location or step the sequencer file from/to which the instruction moves data. (A run time major error occurs if the position value points past the end of the programmed file.)

Sequencer Instruction- The PLC Sequencer Instruction (SQO) is output instruction used to control output devices sequentially.

  • The desired sequence of operation is stored in a data file or array, and the sequencer instruction transfers the sequence data sequentially to the outputs.
  • The SQO instruction has several parameters:
    1. File: The address of the reference sequencer file where the sequence data is stored.
    2. Mask: The address of the mask word or file that the instruction uses to move data.
    3. Dest: The address of the output word or file to which the instruction moves data from the sequencer file.
    4. Control: The address and control element that store the status byte of the instruction, the length of the file, and the position in the file.
    5. Length: The number of steps in the sequencer file starting at position 1.
    6. Position: The word location or step in the sequencer file from/to which the instruction moves data.

Sequencer Compare Instruction (SQC):

  • The SQC instruction is used to compare inputs with a reference word in a sequencer program.
  • It is typically placed on the right side of the rung to compare the inputs with the reference word.
  • The found bit (FD) in the instruction set when the status of all the non-masked bits in the source word match the bits of the reference word.
  • The mask can be either fixed (hexadecimal code) or variable (element or file address) to change the mask with each step.
  • The instruction is incremented to the next step in sequencer file with each false-to-true transition.
  • Data from the sequencer file is transferred through the mask and compared to the source data for equality.
  • When the source data equals the reference data, the found bit is set in the SQC's control counter.
  • The control parameter stores the status byte of the instruction, the length of the sequencer file, and the instantaneous position in the file.
  • The done bit (DN) is set by the SQC instruction after operating on the last word in the sequencer file and is reset on next false-totrue transition.
  • The enable bit (EN) is set by a false-to-true transition and indicates that the SQC instruction is enabled.

Note: The given information provides an overview of sequencer instructions and their parameters. For more detailed information and specific usage examples, it is recommended to refer to the documentation or manuals provided by the PLC manufacturer or consult PLC programming resources.

an you give me the types of HMI based on this content ??: Introduction to HMI

HMI stands for Human Machine Interface. Generally, it refers to a screen or dashboard that communicates information, data and metrics using graphics or visual representations of numbers. The screen is controlled by an operator who monitors and controls equipment and processes in factories and plants.

Function of HMI

HMIs allow operators to start and stop cycles, adjust set points, and perform other functions required to adjust and interact with a control process. Because the HMI is software based, they replace physical wires and controls with software parameters, allowing them to be adapted and adjusted very easily.

Example

A Human-Machine Interface (HMI) is defined as a feature or component of a certain device or software application that enables humans to engage and interact with machines. Some examples of common Human Machine Interface devices that we encounter in our daily lives include touchscreens and keyboards.

HMI in PLCs

A human-machine interface (HMI) is the user interface that connects an operator to

the controller for an industrial system. ... HMIs are usually deployed on Windows- based machines, communicating with programmable logic controllers (PLC) and

other industrial controllers. Difference B/W PLC & HMI

Most modern control systems employ a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) as a means to control motors, pumps, valves and various other equipment used in a process. Computer based HMI (Human Machine Interface) products provide the means by which process personnel interact with the PLC control system.

HMI Software

Use WinCC Advanced (TIA Portal) Engineering Software and the separate Runtime Software Packages WinCC Advanced (TIA Portal) Runtime for PC-based machine level HMI. HMI, or Human Machine Interface, is an interactive screen that provides information, data, and situational metrics of a given system to a human user operating the HMI screen. A common misconception falls on the similarities between SCADA systems and human machine interface systems. Human-machine interface (HMI) software is often driven by the hardware selected, such as operator interface terminal (OIT), embedded PC or PC-based. Often the hardware selection simplifies the HMI software development. How to learn HMI programming and development

  1. Install the software and become familiar with it.
  2. Create basic input and output structures tied to a PLC-based process.
  3. Explore intermediate functions of an HMI terminal.
  4. Work on both your design skills. Best HMI software list in Industrial Automation • HMI Software – Rockwell Software. • Factory Talk View Machine Edition. • Factory Talk View Point. • RS View 32. • HMI Software – Schneider Electric. • Eco Structure Operator Terminal Expert. • Eco Structure Machine SCADA Expert. • Vijeo Designer.

HMI screens allow industrial operators to interact through a graphical user interface or GUI that facilitates information exchange and communication between two types of HMI — supervisory and machine level. Development teams can use HMI design software, like Storyboard, powered by Crank Software HMI Design HMI Design is the practice of building HMI screens that are intuitive to the end user, pleasing to the eye and are efficient to operate. As control systems within manufacturing are migrated from traditional push button designs to primarily operate from HMI displays, HMI Design has become trivial to any new installation. Although there is a wide range of HMI based systems, the basic principles of good design remain the same. Different industries may dictate different patterns of layout for their systems, but the good practices remain. ___HMI screens can vary in size, color, button availability and user inputs. We should explore each one of these parameters and go over their impact on the hmi design.

Screen Size/ Color Most Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) offer HMI screens of different sizes. For example, the Allen Bradley Panel View 7 line has screens ranging from 4 inches to 15 inches in diagonal. Although the smaller screens will come at a much lower cost, it is important to note that they won’t be suited for designs that involve large systems or ones with a lot of detail. Screen Size will generally dictate how intricate the HMI design can be. It is usually possible to migrate a design that was designed for a smaller screen onto a bigger HMI, but not the other way around. In other words, it’s not advised to shrink the elements designed for a larger screen; it’s always best to create additional pages that would break down the hmi screens. Although OEMs do not typically restrict the number of elements on a specific screen, dedicated smaller screens generally have less RAM than larger ones. This leads to additional latency issues when a large number of elements are added. On Terminal Push Buttons vs Touch Screen Although these types of terminals are becoming less common, we still see Siemens, Allen Bradley as well as several other OEMs release HMI terminals that support push buttons. These push buttons enable a different HMI design that relies on these inputs. Furthermore, Allen Bradley still supports terminals on which the navigation is primarily accomplished through push buttons. These terminals will have different configurations than pure touch screen counterparts. The reason is that you typically want to take advantage of these functionalities for navigation, key functions or otherwise. Therefore, the hmi design will differ. User Inputs HMI Terminals come in many flavors; we’ll explore them in much more detail below. However, it’s important to note that HMI terminals may utilize various devices as inputs to the terminal. These variations will impact the design and the overall layout of the terminal. An example would be the capability of an Allen Bradley Panel View Standard HMI being capable of a single PLC connection. The design may require the engineer to create a separate entry of the data through the same PLC. The trade off is that the HMI design will need to update at a different rate and monitor the connection; therefore, it may reduce the latency of the HMI terminal. Other inputs may include communication protocols (RS232, EtherNet, PROFIBUS, ControlNet, DeviceNet,

HMI Navigation - Shallow Design A shallow HMI design will utilize the top level navigation as an access point to most elements. In other words, the user will access every screen of the HMI from the “Overview” screen. Here’s the nested layout of each screen based on this layout, followed by a small diagram.

Overview Control Application Settings Area 1 Area n Face Plate 1 Face Plate n

Local vs Distributed HMI Design will differ depending on the nature of the HMI terminal. A distributed solution will typically involve a much higher number of connections and areas. This will in turn dictate a larger number of tags to display, more screens to include and a difference in controls. Dense HMIs will be typically accessed using a keyboard and mouse while traditional, on machine HMIs, are accessed using the touch screen.

HMI Design - Key Elements As mentioned above, an HMI screen must be intuitive, easy to navigate and provide adequate control / view of the process. In this section, we’ll cover the key elements you will find on most HMI terminals, discuss their utility and best practices of HMI design for each one of those elements. HMI Navigation Design A typical HMI will host at least 10 different screens. From our experience, here’s a typical breakdown: • Overview | The screen used to see the high level status of a process / area. • Control | The screen used to change key parameters of a process / area. • Settings | The screen used to change application / control level parameters. • Area 1 - n | The screen used for a certain area of the process. • Control Face Plate | Pop-Up screens used to change / view certain set points of a specific device (Ex: motor, valve, pump, tank, etc.)

Based on provided content, the types of HMI can be categorized as follows:

  1. Supervisory HMI: This type of HMI provides an overview of the entire system or process. It allows operators to monitor and control various areas or processes at a high level. The overview screen provides a holistic view of the system's status.

  2. Machine Level HMI: This type of HMI focuses on specific machines or equipment. It provides detailed information about individual machines and allows operators to perform functions like starting/stopping cycles, adjusting set points, and interacting with specific devices like motors, valves, pumps, etc.

  3. Local HMI: This refers to HMI screens that are located on the machine or equipment itself. It is typically accessed through a touch screen interface or physical push buttons. The design is specific to the machine or equipment it is connected to, with limited screens and controls.

  4. Distributed HMI: This refers to HMI that is accessed remotely, often through a network connection. It allows operators to monitor and control multiple areas or processes from a central location. The design is more and complex, with a larger number of screens and controls.

. Touch Screen HMI: This type of HMI users to interact with the screen using touch inputs. It eliminates the need for physical buttons and provides a more intuitive and user-friendly interface.

  1. Push Button HMI: Although less common nowadays, some HMI terminals still support push buttons as input devices. These HMI terminals have a different design that takes advantage of these button inputs for navigation and specific functions.

The choice of HMI type depends on factors such as the nature of the system or process, the level of control and monitoring required, and the user's preferences and requirements.

from where have you given these types to me?? can you please specify the libnes?

I apologize for any confusion. The types of HMI mentioned in my response are derived from the information provided in your previous input. The descriptions of Supervisory HMI, Machine Level HMI, Local HMI, Distributed HMI, Touch Screen HMI, and Push Button HMI are based on the details and examples mentioned in your previous text. There are no specific libraries or references cited for these types as they are derived from general knowledge and understanding of HMI systems and terminology within the industrial automation industry.