Tutorials
Discrete Control
- Feedback loops control discrete, continuous processes
Arguably, the most basic tool of the control engineering profession is the feedback loop, shown below. It consists of five fundamental elements: This measure-decide-actuate sequence repeats as often as necessary until the desired process condition is achieved. For a continuous process, a feedback loop attempts to maintain a process variable (or manipulated variable) at a desired value known as ...... - Rugged network connectors
Myriad industrial network options are only exceeded by the styles and brands of rugged connectors—designed to protect the points linking measurements, logic, actuation, and points in-between and beyond. Robust network connector design can vary by network type (fieldbus, device bus, sensor bus), application, industry (such as electronics, robotics, or nuclear), manufacturer, and standards ...... - DC-injection lets motors do the braking
Much is made of increasingly dynamic performance available from electric motors (and drives), and rightly so. The other side of the equation is ability to stop all that speed and acceleration efficiently, when needed. External braking is the more familiar stopping method, but three-phase ac induction motors provide internal electronic means to slow and brake their motion—among them, dc-in...... - Don't overlook S/N ratio
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is used as a system figure of merit and as a system design parameter in communicating information, whether for an automated process control system or for spacecraft applications. The concept of higher the SNR value the better the system or device performance is simple enough, but keeping signal levels high is often impractical and holding down electrical noise often ...... - What is a smart sensor?
One of the biggest advances in automation has been the development and spread of smart sensors. But what exactly is a "smart" sensor? Experts from six sensor manufacturers define this term. A good working "smart sensor" definition comes from Tom Griffiths, product manager, Honeywell Industrial Measurement and Control....
Information Control
- Programmable automation controllers (PACs)
When ARC Advisory Group analyst, Craig Resnick, proposed a new term for an emerging class of programmable devices for automation in 2001, few expected such growth of related technologies. The market extends beyond the formal name—programmable automation controllers (PACs). Some vendors reject the word, yet satisfy the PAC feature set with newer programmable logic controllers (PLCs).... - Turn knowledge into capital
Plant and equipment are considered capital, but without the knowledge required to make them manufacture your product, they cannot perform the intended tasks. Knowledge, when documented, becomes intellectual capital—something of value to your company. Conversely, when critical information only exists on notes tacked to the wall, tucked away in a little notebook in the operator’s tool...... - Network security is more than encryption
Much data transmitted over networks is sent in clear text, making it easy for unwanted persons to capture and read sensitive information. Encryption plays a vital role in securing these data by translating them into a secret code. It protects data from intruders and ensures only the intended recipient can decode and read information, by accessing a secret key or password that enables decryption.... - LEDs: Rugged, versatile light sources
Once used only as simple status indicators, LEDs, or light emitting diodes, now play prominent roles in many applications, including back lighting, panel indication, decorative illumination, emergency lighting, and signage. Greater use of LEDs can be attributed to new manufacturing technologies, packaging innovations, and availability of an increasing number of colors, along with a growing awar...... - Feedback loops control discrete, continuous processes
Arguably, the most basic tool of the control engineering profession is the feedback loop, shown below. It consists of five fundamental elements: This measure-decide-actuate sequence repeats as often as necessary until the desired process condition is achieved. For a continuous process, a feedback loop attempts to maintain a process variable (or manipulated variable) at a desired value known as ......
Process Control
- Turn knowledge into capital
Plant and equipment are considered capital, but without the knowledge required to make them manufacture your product, they cannot perform the intended tasks. Knowledge, when documented, becomes intellectual capital—something of value to your company. Conversely, when critical information only exists on notes tacked to the wall, tucked away in a little notebook in the operator’s tool...... - Feedback loops control discrete, continuous processes
Arguably, the most basic tool of the control engineering profession is the feedback loop, shown below. It consists of five fundamental elements: This measure-decide-actuate sequence repeats as often as necessary until the desired process condition is achieved. For a continuous process, a feedback loop attempts to maintain a process variable (or manipulated variable) at a desired value known as ...... - Rugged network connectors
Myriad industrial network options are only exceeded by the styles and brands of rugged connectors—designed to protect the points linking measurements, logic, actuation, and points in-between and beyond. Robust network connector design can vary by network type (fieldbus, device bus, sensor bus), application, industry (such as electronics, robotics, or nuclear), manufacturer, and standards ...... - DC-injection lets motors do the braking
Much is made of increasingly dynamic performance available from electric motors (and drives), and rightly so. The other side of the equation is ability to stop all that speed and acceleration efficiently, when needed. External braking is the more familiar stopping method, but three-phase ac induction motors provide internal electronic means to slow and brake their motion—among them, dc-in...... - Don't overlook S/N ratio
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is used as a system figure of merit and as a system design parameter in communicating information, whether for an automated process control system or for spacecraft applications. The concept of higher the SNR value the better the system or device performance is simple enough, but keeping signal levels high is often impractical and holding down electrical noise often ......
System Integration
- Programmable automation controllers (PACs)
When ARC Advisory Group analyst, Craig Resnick, proposed a new term for an emerging class of programmable devices for automation in 2001, few expected such growth of related technologies. The market extends beyond the formal name—programmable automation controllers (PACs). Some vendors reject the word, yet satisfy the PAC feature set with newer programmable logic controllers (PLCs).... - Turn knowledge into capital
Plant and equipment are considered capital, but without the knowledge required to make them manufacture your product, they cannot perform the intended tasks. Knowledge, when documented, becomes intellectual capital—something of value to your company. Conversely, when critical information only exists on notes tacked to the wall, tucked away in a little notebook in the operator’s tool...... - Network security is more than encryption
Much data transmitted over networks is sent in clear text, making it easy for unwanted persons to capture and read sensitive information. Encryption plays a vital role in securing these data by translating them into a secret code. It protects data from intruders and ensures only the intended recipient can decode and read information, by accessing a secret key or password that enables decryption.... - LEDs: Rugged, versatile light sources
Once used only as simple status indicators, LEDs, or light emitting diodes, now play prominent roles in many applications, including back lighting, panel indication, decorative illumination, emergency lighting, and signage. Greater use of LEDs can be attributed to new manufacturing technologies, packaging innovations, and availability of an increasing number of colors, along with a growing awar...... - Rugged network connectors
Myriad industrial network options are only exceeded by the styles and brands of rugged connectors—designed to protect the points linking measurements, logic, actuation, and points in-between and beyond. Robust network connector design can vary by network type (fieldbus, device bus, sensor bus), application, industry (such as electronics, robotics, or nuclear), manufacturer, and standards ......
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