ICS Operation

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The basic operation of an Industrial Control System (ICS) is shown in the figure below. Key components include the following:

• Control Loop. A control loop consists of sensors for measurement, controller hardware such as PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), actuators such as control valves, breakers, switches and motors, and the communication of variables. Controlled variables are transmitted to the controller from the sensors. The controller interprets the signals and generates corresponding manipulated variables, based on set points, which it transmits to the actuators. Process changes from disturbances result in new sensor signals, identifying the state of the process, to again be transmitted to the controller.
• Human-Machine Interface (HMI). Operators and engineers use HMIs to monitor and configure set points, control algorithms, and adjust and establish parameters in the controller. The Human-Machine Interface (HMI) also displays process status information and historical information.
• Remote Diagnostics and Maintenance Utilities. Diagnostics and maintenance utilities are used to prevent, identify and recover from abnormal operation or failures.

A typical Industrial Control System contains a proliferation of control loops, HMIs, and remote diagnostics and maintenance tools built using an array of network protocols on layered network architectures. Sometimes these control loops are nested and/or cascading –whereby the set point for one loop is based on the process variable determined by another loop.

Supervisory-level loops and lower-level loops operate continuously over the duration of a process with cycle times ranging on the order of milliseconds to minutes.



8 Responses to “ICS Operation”

1. Tom says:

   What software is it use for HMI ?
2. admin says:

   Citect, Intellution Fix, or i an embedded program, such as a C+ application program.
3. Has says:

   What is 10Base5 ?
4. admin says:

   It is a coaxial cable system and uses the original cable for Ethernet systems – generically called Thicknet.
5. Matt says:

   Are link layer confirmations necessary when using DNP3 over TCP/IP ?
6. admin says:

   No
7. Tom says:

   What are the advantages of a the sensor to panel type of SCADA system ?
8. admin says:

   1) It is simple, no CPUs, RAM, ROM or software programming needed
   2) The sensors are connected directly to the meters, switches and lights on
   the panel
   4) It could be easy and cheap to add a simple device like a switch or indicator
9. Ken says:

   interesting post
10. P. Silva says:

    a very good article about ICS Operation