Distributed Control System Dr.

Subhi Aswad College of Information Engineering / Al-Nahrain University

Dr. Subhi Aswad Mohammed

Department of Systems Engineering
College of Information Engineering
Al Nahrain University
2019

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Distributed Control System Dr.Subhi Aswad College of Information Engineering / Al-Nahrain University

Distributed Control System

Course Aim
The aim of this course is to build up the theoretical and procedural
knowledge required for DCS to be recognized by system engineer.

Knowledge and Elements

Illustrate DCS & PLC Benefits, Usage and History.
Overview of control system history.
Control system benefits and usage.
Types of control

Develop Knowledge of DCS Components (Hardware & Software).

Infrastructure [Communication Bus, Interfaces, Controllers,
Gateways, RTU, Others].
Hardware and technologies.
Software [Configuration, Graphics, Alarming, Trending, System
Management, Others].

Extend Knowledge of DCS installation and Maintenance. ****???

Site Installation, Commissioning and Startup.
Diagnostics, Spares, Tools and Power Distribution.
Maintenance [Backup, Replacements and System Installation].

Develop Knowledge of PLC Components.

PLC fundamentals.
PLC Logic.

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Table of Contents
Section I control system , DCS structure and Benefits.
Automation System Structure
Control Systems Hierarchy, Response Time and
Hierarchical Level
What is DCS (Distributed Control System) ?
Distributed Control System software Evaluation
Criteria,

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Distributed Control System and Programmable Logic Control

1. Control Systems

1.1 Automation System Structure

Although applications differ widely, there is little difference in the
overall architecture of their control systems.
Why the control system of a power plant is not sold also for
automating a brewery depends largely on small differences . ?
The Following Figure Shows The Large Control System Hierarchy

Figure Large Control System Hierarchy

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Distributed Control System and Programmable Logic Control

1. Control Systems

1.1 Automation System Structure

1.1.1 Large Control System Hierarchy

Figure 1.1 Large Control System Hierarchy

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Distributed Control System and Programmable Logic Control

1. Control Systems

1.1 Automation System Structure

1.1.1 Large Control System Hierarchy

Figure 1.1 Shows The Large Control System Hierarchy

Administration: Production goals, planning

Enterprise: Manages resources, workflow, coordinates
activities of different sites, quality supervision, maintenance,
distribution and planning
Supervision: Supervision of the site, optimization, on-line
operations. Control room, Process Data Base, logging .
Group Control : Control of a well-defined part of the plant.
closed loop, except for intervention of an operator)
Coordinates individual subgroups
Adjusting set-points and parameters
Commands several units as a whole
Unit Control : Control (regulation, monitoring and protection)
of a small part of a group (closed loop except for maintenance).
Measure: Sampling, scaling, processing, calibration.
Control: regulation, set-points and parameters
Command: sequencing, protection and interlocking
Field: Sensors & Actors, data acquisition, digitalization, data
transmission, no processing except measurement correction
and built-in protection.

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Distributed Control System and Programmable Logic Control

1. Control Systems

1.1 Automation System Structure

1.1.2 Response Time and Hierarchical Level

The amount of response time is related to the goals to be

achieved and the activities being performed.
Figure 1.2 shows the Response Time with respect to control
system Hierarchical Level .

Figure 1.2 Response Time And Hierarchical Level

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Distributed Control System and Programmable Logic Control

1. Control Systems
1.2 What is Distributed Control System ?

A DCS As shown in Figure 1.3. is :

• an integrated set of modules
• with distributed functions
Multi-loop controllers (10’s-100’s) that connect to field devices
Supervisory coordinating controllers
Multi-loop operator stations
Engineering stations
Servers for system data management
Control network for intercommunication
External connections

Figure 1.3 DCS Hierarchy

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Distributed Control System and Programmable Logic Control

1. Control Systems
1.2 What is Distributed Control System ?

A DCS, throughout the whole system, must provide :

Performance:
Control must be faster than the process.
Determinism:
Control must always take the same time.
Fault tolerance:
Redundancy; must fail to a known state.
Security:
Must have access restrictions/controls

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Distributed Control System and Programmable Logic Control

1. Control Systems 1.2 What is Distributed Control System ?

Distributed Control System Software Evaluation Criteria

The Key evaluation criteria for any control system software
package are:
(The performance, ease of use, and interoperability)
list of control system software evaluation criteria.
The following is intended to provide the manufacturing
engineer
1. INTEROPERABILITY.
This refers to the interaction of all control system hardware
and software components at all levels.
2. INTERCONNECTIVITY.
This criterion is concerned with the transmission medium,
which is constrained by the network topology and how
efficiently the system’s components communicate with
each other.
3. DISASTER PROCESSING.
This component is defined by the efficiency with which the
software provides the operator with system failure
information and the ease at which the operator is
permitted to bring the system back to maximum operation
after system failure.
4. DATABASE.
The software’s ability to maintain the system’s database.
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Distributed Control System and Programmable Logic Control

1. Control Systems

1.2 What is Distributed Control System ?

Distributed Control System Software Evaluation Criteria

5. PROCESSES/DATA.
This criterion is concerned with the variety of processes
and data that can be controlled by the SCADA package.
6. DIAGNOSTICS.
The SCADA package’s ability to assist in the decision of
system failures is evaluated by this diagnostic utility.
7. SECURITY.
This component is concerned with the levels of security
provided by the software.
8. MONITORING/CONTROL .
Monitoring of a given process in real-time and control of
that process, within preset parameters, is evaluated by
this criteria.
9. ALARM MANAGEMENT / LOGGING.
This is the category for detecting, annunciating, managing,
and storing alarm conditions.
10.STATISTICAL PROCESS CONTROL.
This is the portion of the SCADA package that evaluates
the process data, Production and quality.

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Distributed Control System and Programmable Logic Control

1. Control Systems

1.2 What is Distributed Control System ?

Distributed Control System Software Evaluation Criteria

11.OPERATOR INTERFACE.
The graphical user interface (GUI) is evaluated
12.TRENDING.
The software’s ability to display trending plots using
historical and current data.
13.REPORT GENERATION.
The production of logs and reports using current real-time
data and data retrieved from historical files is evaluated.

Due to the advancements in computer technology and low

cost, a personal computer-based distributed control
system can be Installed for a fraction of the cost required
just a few years ago.

Prior to selecting any piece of DCS equipment, first

examine the existing equipment, in particular the smart
controllers, for network compatibility. Then, examine and
select the software to be employed.
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Distributed Control System and Programmable Logic Control

Reference
* Dr. Mohamed A. A. Hakim, Distributed control
system and programmable logic control

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