[en] A hierarchical control system is being developed and applied to a mixed culture bioprocess in a continuous stirred tank reactor. A bioreactor, with its inherent complexity and non-linear behavior was an interesting, yet, difficult application for control theory. The bottom level of the hierarchy was implemented as a number of integrated set point controls and data acquisition modules. Within the second level was a diagnostic system that used expert knowledge to determine the operational status of the sensors, actuators, and control modules. A diagnostic program was successfully implemented for the detection of stirrer malfunctions, and to monitor liquid delivery rates and recalibrate the pumps when deviations from desired flow rates occurred. The highest control level was a supervisory shell that was developed using expert knowledge and the history of the reactor operation to determine the set points required to meet a set of production criteria. At this stage the supervisory shell analyzed the data to determine the state of the system. In future implementations, this shell will determine the set points required to optimize a cost function using expert knowledge and adaptive learning techniques

[en] The rapid pace of technological development in electronics and computers, as well as the expanding requirements in research facilities, forces extensive upgrades in accelerator control systems from time to time. These upgrades are far more challenging to the staff than the initial control system implementation as it usually also requires that the upgrade be achieved as an additional task on top of maintaining normal operations. This paper will describe the experiences of using modern software analysis, design and implementation tools and techniques in the re-engineering of a core real-time database, Vaccess. This re-engineered version of Vaccess will be released shortly. The authors will compare the actual cost of this process to both the projected costs of expanding the previous version of Vaccess and to traditional software development methods. This paper will also review the techniques many of their customers have used to replace existing 16-bit, computer-based control systems with systems based on a complete Vsystem toolkit, while maintaining current operations

[en] The NSLS control system initially installed in 1978 has undergone several modifications but the basic system architecture remained relatively unchanged. The need for faster response, increased reliability and better diagnostics made the control system upgrade a priority. Since the NSLS runs continuously, major changes to the control system are difficult. The upgrade plan had to allow continuous incremental changes to the control system without having any detrimental effect on operations. The plan had to provide for immediate improvement in a few key areas, such as data access rates, and be complete in a short time. At present, most accelerator operations utilize the upgraded control system

[en] The advent of powerful, low cost computers has enabled the development of a new, flexible control system for particle accelerators. The new hardware coupled with any of a number of commercially available easy to use software packages means that instituting sophisticated control on an accelerator no longer needs to involve large budgets and months of work by a highly specialized controls group. This paper discusses in detail the newly developed control system. The design considerations which led ControlNet to take its present form and the methods used to achieve highly reliable component subsystems are described. Such methods range from the overall system design concept to specific hardware and embedded software design techniques. Achieving system reliability is specific to each installation, and the different practical techniques of shielding and transient suppression that have been used in the field are described

[en] Building a custom accelerator control system requires effort in the range of 30-100 person-years. This represents a significant investment of time, effort, and risk, as well as challenges for management. Even when the system is successful, the software has not yet been applied to the particular project; no custom control algorithms, either engineering or physics-based, have been implemented; and the system has not been documented for long-term maintenance and use. This paper reviews the requirements for sharing software between accelerator control system projects. It also reviews the three mechanisms by which control system software has been shared in the past and is being shared now, as well as some of the experiences. After reviewing the mechanisms and experiences, one can conclude there is no one best solution. The right software sharing mechanism depends upon the needs of the client site, the client resources available, and the services the provider can give

[en] The NSLS control system initially installed in 1978 has undergone several modifications but the basic system architecture remained relatively unchanged. The need for faster response, increased reliability and better diagnostics made the control system upgrade a priority. Since the NSLS runs continuously, major changes to the control system are difficult. The upgrade plan had to allow continuous incremental changes to the control system without having any detrimental effect on operations. The plan had to provide for immediate improvement in a few key areas, such as data access rates, and be complete in a short time. At present, most accelerator operations utilize the upgraded control system

[en] This paper presents the major components of the high level software in the NSLS upgraded control system. Both programmer and user interfaces are discussed. The use of the high-speed work stations, fast network communications, UNIX system, X-window and Motif have greatly changed and improved these interfaces

[en] This paper presents the current status of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) control system. It will discuss the design decisions which led the authors to use industrial standards and collaborations with other laboratories to develop the APS control system. The system uses high performance graphic workstations and the X-windows Graphical User Interface (GUI) at the operator interface level. It connects to VME/VXI-based microprocessors at the field level using TCP/IP protocols over high performance networks. This strategy assures the flexibility and expansibility of the control system. A defined interface between the system components will allow the system to evolve with the direct addition of future, improved equipment and new capabilities

[en] The IEC 61131-3 deals with the programming aspect of industrial programmable controllers, defining the logical blocks and languages such as Structured Text (ST), Instruction List (IL), Sequential Function Charts (SFC), Ladder Logic (LD), Function Block Diagrams (FBD). A software development tool for the IEC 61131-3 programming, namely pSET (POSCON Software Engineering Tool), has been prototyped for developing safety software for the Korea Nuclear Instrumentation and Control System (KNICS) since 2001. Figure 1 shows the pSET architecture

[en] Sophisticated computer control and automation have made possible the operation of today's enormously complex particle physics facilities. Yet with all of the versatility that this sophisticated technology provides, it would be difficult, if not impossible, for these facilities to attain even minimum required operational goals without the constant supervision and regular intervention of human operators. Furthermore, if operational goals are to be pushed to new limits, then human operators with rare, esoteric talents and skills, commonly referred to as good operators, are required. The need for these operators, together with a discussion of the qualities associated with good operators, are the subjects of this paper