#4 2005

Sosonkin V.L., Martinov G.M. Latest trends in numerical control system architectures

Numerical control system architectures available in the market were analyzed in [1]. Further study showed that PC-based variants are the quickest to evolve. Special attention is paid to the development of open systems, SoftCNC or Motion Control open numerical control kernel, systems with STEP-NC interface including the intelligent ones, and web-enabled systems. All these are the objects for further investigation.

Vladov Yu.R. Analytical identification of condition and the effectiveness of industrial plant operation

The paper discerns three principal performance indicators of industrial plant operation: reliability, operating expenses and productivity. For each indicator, two models are built: normal operation and the operation with periodical identification of technical condition. The methodology of the latter is based on the aggregated approach. The problem of selecting the optimal plant diagnostics schedule is solved. Theoretical issues of the methodology proposed are illustrated with the example of pipeline examination.

Kovalyov S.M., Kovalyov V.M. Structurization technology: four steps of organization description

The paper shows the importance of designing optimal business processes in an organization and offers a strategy to accomplish this task. It provides a formula for organization building and optimization including a strict sequence of the following steps: organization "as is" model development, "as is" model analysis, "should be" model development, transition plan development; changes implementation and building the organization as "should be". The "as is" description phase in its turn consists of 4 steps. The paper examines the first step: the description of organization`s business vectors.

Integartion of automation and ERP systems

The paper shows that the market share of systems and tools for integrating data between ERP and process controls will increase in the next 5 years. It presents Wonderware software solutions aimed at the integration of plant floor and ERP.

Khalimon V.I., Prostitenko O.V. A software system for ore-thermal furnaces control in corundum production

A process control system for corundum production is presented. The system features complex relationship between and weak formalization of process and electrical parameters. Such control object properties predetermine the application of control systems with the elements of artificial intelligence. The paper considers a control system that consists of three functional groups: a real-time expert system, a library of logical control algorithms, and the software implementation of interpreted Petri nets.

Meschaninov A.V. Wonderware products application in pulp-and-paper industry

Functional principle of an automated supervisory control system implemented in 2004 by Rakurs Scientific and Production Company at Kotlas Pulp and Paper Mill is presented. Technical features of project implementation are described.

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Dolganov I.Yu. SIMATIC S7/C7 programmable controllers

SIMATIC PLC is one of the most widespread and popular programmable controllers in the world. The paper presents technical characteristics, design features and applications of SIMATIC S7-200/S7-300/S7-400/C7 PLC. It notes that all those controllers feature powerful communication tools and can support Internet, Industrial Ethernet, PROFIBUS, and MPI.

Rostan M. Bus cycle time is not the whole story

The paper shows that control system productivity cannot be evaluated only based on industrial bus cycle time. Usually, bus cycle time is secondary, while the system behavior from synchronization viewpoint is a primary issue in many cases. PLC task cycle time is also more important than the bus cycle time: a slow control system would not become a high-performance one even with a faster bus. The analysis of the requirements to real-time control system operation is important for optimal bus system selection. The parameters are chosen differently dependent on whether either response time or determinism is in the foreground for a specific application.

Discussing a subject…
Embedded computer technologies: small size - great opportunities

Afonin D.Yu. Automation with Bavarian accent

The paper overviews small-size computing solutions from Kontron Embedded Modules è Kontron Technology A/S that offer the functionality of a built-in computer. Three large groups of products: embedded modules, embedded boards, and mini-motherboards - also belong to this class.

Sokolov L.V. Free space is worth its weight in gold

The paper overviews the embedded computers market from different vendor processors viewpoint. It considers 486 and 586 families, Pentium III and similar, and, finally, the Pentium M family. State of the art and near-term outlook of ÐÑ/104, ÅÂÕ and EPIC built-in computers are analyzed.

Klein A. PCI Express Standard - a new solution for I/O subsystem

The paper presents PCI Express technology that enables to reduce physical dimensions of I/O subsystems and to increase significantly their throughput. It formulates application advantages of the new technology on an enterprise scale and shows that PCI Express will become the most popular solution of the next decade for I/O subsystem of client, server, and communication platforms.

Yegorov E.V. AXIOMTEK embedded platforms overview against modern industry trends

For many years, the embedded platforms department of AXIOMTEC (Taiwan) of solutions for built-in and on-board computers in the wide range from components (single-board computers, mountings and acessories) up to half-finished ready-mounted systems such as single-board computers with pre-installed real-tome operating systems with mounting and wiring. This enbles considerable Time-to-Market reduction that is a major requirement of modern volatile project-oriented market. The company also offers its clients a System-on-Module (SoM) concept that allows to cut development costs of project oriented single-board computing systems and avoid the laborious and fraught with encapsulated errors stage of in-house development of specialized processor architecture based on universal ICs of programmable logic.

Kruglyak K.V. Embedded systems: mosaic of solutions

Embedded system hard-/software market is highly volatile. New products appear regularly, each one with new widgets such as additional functionality at smaller size, higher integration, lower cost, etc. A wide choice of components offers systems integrators an opportunity of quicker component selection for the system under development. The materials collected in this paper can help to choose state-of-the-art and the most effective solutions for a wide range of applications.

Bulgakov I.O. System on Module concept or educational toys for groen-ups

The paper briefly reviews the products from CompuLab, Ltd., an Israel company known in embedded technologies market as a developer and manufacturer of CORE processor modules family.

Dobberstein T., MacCleery B. CompactRIO reconfigurable embedded solution

The offered CompactRIO reconfigurable I/O system is a low-cost COTS space-saving embedded solution based on programmable logical IC. The paper describes CompactRIO architecture and performance parameters, and graphic programming environment modules for developing embedded LabVIEW systems.

Gusev S.À. Firstmile Embedded Genesis32 embedded SCADA

The paper presents performance parameters and capabilities of FirstMile Embedded Genesis32 embedded SCADA optimized for the operation with Beckhoff CX-1000 PC-compatible controllers. It shows that FirstMile Embedded Genesis32 can be related to "light" class, though it meets enhanced reliability, productivity, functionality, and cost requirements.

Pinaev A.L. Embedded technologies - a catalyst for industrial consulting

The paper vindicates that the trend to embedded modules shrinking combined with functionality enhancement balanced with their cost has already become reality. It discerns industrial consulting as a new embedded technologies development line.

Sapronov P.V. The evolution of intelligent instrumentation concept

In recent years, much was spoken about the intellectualization of instruments with sufficient flexibility, interaction capabilities, improved measurement performance, etc. The paper discusses functional, hardware and logic- algorithmic approaches to Intelligent Instrument concept. It notes that the concept is changing and improving with science and technology growth.