• General term used in applying electronic or computer-based systems towards automatically

controlling a manufacturing process.

www.adcusa.com/knowbase/glossary.html
• Automation (ancient Greek: = self dictated) or Industrial Automation is the use of computers
to control industrial machinery and processes, replacing human operators. It is a step
beyond mechanization, where human operators are provided with machinery to help them
in their jobs. The most visible part of automation can be said to be industrial robotics. Some
advantages are repeatability, tighter quality control, waste reduction, integration with
business systems, increased productivity and redu
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_automation

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

0. Logical 0. Used to indicate an open ("OFF") Digital Input circuit. Used to indicate a de-
energized ("OFF") Digital Output signal.

1. Logical 1. Used to indicate an closed ("ON") Digital Input circuit. Used to indicate a
energized ("ON") Digital Output signal.

ALU. An Arithmetic Logic Unit is designed to handle all logical and basic arithmetic
functions. It is usually in control of a microcomputer or is imbedded in a Microcomputer
chip.

Asynchronous. The transmission of computerized information by individual frames having

start and stop signals. Data is transmitted in irregular spurts, where the time interval varies
between successive transmitted frames.

A/D. Analog to Digital Conversion is the process of converting an analog value into a
digital value that could be used by a computer. Analog signals, from field instruments, are
either unipolar or bipolar, and are further classified as a voltage or current type signal.

Baud. Baud rate is the number of signal changes per second on a communication line.
Baud rate is frequently, and incorrectly, used as being synonymous to bits per second. Note:
A single signal change can represent more than one bit of information.

Buss. A method of transferring information between various devices. All busses contain
"wires" to transmit and receive data, control, and in some cases arbitration.

Control Output. Relay control either non-secure or secure. See digital output.

CPU. A Central Processor Unit is the "heart" of all processor, MPU, microcomputers, and
micro-processors. It makes up the logic that fetches and decodes instructions, maintains
pointers, counters, arithmetic-logic functions, and handles interrupts. In a more general use
the word could refer to the complete Computer device such as a IBM PC excluding the I/O
devices. See Microcomputer.
Data Terminal Equipment. Term given to distinguish the computing instrument apart
from any device used to perform the analog transmission and reception of data. Examples
of DTE devices include computers, video display terminals, RTUs, and PLCs.

Data Communications Equipment. The communications device that adapts digital signals
from a connected "DTE" device, to the physical communications media implemented in a
system. Examples of DCE devices include modems and radios.

Digital to Analog Conversion. "D/A" is the process of converting a digital value generated
by a computer into a corresponding analog output (eg, volts or milliamps) for output to an
analog control device. See analog output, setpoint control.

Digital to Analog Converter. A "DAC" is a device which receives digital input from some
processor device and converts the digital value to a corresponding analog output to drive an
analog control device.

EPROM. Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory is a nonvolatile memory component

which can be read but not written by a computer but can be erased and reprogrammed by a
"PROM" programmer device.

EEPROM. Electrical Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory is a nonvolatile memory

component which can be read and written to by a computer device. Typically used to store
unit configuration data, which is modifiable by the end-user.

Firmware. Computer instructions that are embedded in the hardware, stored in PROM,
EPROM or EEPROM devices, and is generally not modifiable by the end-user.

Frame. Pertaining to a communication device, a frame is the total sum of all the signal
changes that make up one "character" that can be passed to the computer device, to include
timing required to achieve synchronization. For example, during asynchronous
communication, a frame is all the signal changes between the start bit and stop bit.

Hertz. A unit of frequency equal to 1 cycle per second.

Integrated Circuit. A tiny complex of electronic components and their connection

produced on a slice of material such as silicon.

Indication input. Input from some field device that is either in an ON (1) or OFF (0) state.
Also known as Status Input or Field Status.

Industrial Automation. General term used in applying electronic or computer-based

systems towards automatically controlling a manufacturing process.

Input/Output is a process of passing data from an external device to a computer or of

passing data from a computer to an external device.
IOC. Input/Output Controller. An electronic device used to control and monitor
Input/Output points, within a overall system, and to communicate the derived data to a
master station or other "host" unit.

LED. Light Emitting Diode. A diode that emits light when current passes through it.

Master. The "head-end" computer in a SCADA system.

Microcomputer. A computer based on a particular microprocessor. The architecture is best

suited to a real-time environment because of its interrupt structure. This device is given an
assorted number of names; MPU, CPU and Microprocessor to name a few.

Microprocessor. Subsystem circuit of a microcomputer that performs the sequential

manipulation of data. See Microcomputer.

Modem. A MOdulator/DEModulator is a communications device providing an interface

point to a communication line. It converts digital data to analog for transmission and analog
data to digital for reception.

MPU. MicroProcessor Unit. See microcomputer.

Preventive Maintenance. "PM" is the scheduled downtime for equipment during which
equipment that is in marginal working condition is identified and remedied. PM includes
routine mechanical maintenance and adjustments.

Process. The collective external function performed by the control equipment, involving
process variables and setpoint controls.

Process variable. A system parameter (ie, an analog signal) that is monitored and
controlled (eg by an associated setpoint control signal, generated by the control unit) by a
controller.

PROM. Programmable Read Only Memory is a memory component which can be read by,
but not written by, a computer. The memory contents of this device can be set only once by
using special programming device.

Protocol. Set of rules governing message exchange between two communications

processes.

RAM. Random Access (Read/Write) Memory is a volatile memory component which can
be both written and read by a computer. A computer's main memory is RAM.

Refresh. In the computer memory, dynamic RAM, in order to maintain the stored
information, must have each of its memory locations addressed periodically. This process is
called memory refresh.
Remote. A computer, typically with I/O, located in a remote site away from the Master
(Control Center).

Restart. When a unit or device initializes itself due to power failure, error conditions, or
commanded by a computer. There are generally two types of Restarts, 1) Cold Start and 2)
Warm Start. Warm start occurs when conditions are such that only resetting some of the
unit's parameters and logic is necessary, where Cold start occurs when everything must be
"restarted" in order to maintain operating order.

ROM. Read Only Memory is a memory component which can be read, not written, by a
computer. The memory contents are set by the manufacturer.

RS-232. RS-232 interface specification defines the number of wires that are used to
connect a modem ("DCE") to a computer or terminal ("DTE"), the electrical signals that are
sent along these wires, and the signal levels that are used. Frequently, the RS-232 interface
is used to connect a terminal to a computer without intervening modem equipment. RS-485
and RS-422 are similar interfaces for interconnecting DTE devices.

RTD. Resistance Temperature Detector. An small assembly of special metals and alloys
used for deriving process temperatures. The electrical resistance of the device changes over
a temperature range, and generally in a non-linear manner. See Thermocouple.

RTU. Remote Terminal Unit. An electronic device used to control and monitor
Input/Output points, within a overall system, and to communicate the derived data to a
master station or other "host" unit.

Rx. Receive. Usually in reference to some communication interface.

Scan. The process of requesting information and receiving it. When applied to RTU
communications, it is the whole process of requesting input signal data (eg status, analogs,
and accumulators) from a RTU and receiving a reply.

Setpoint. The desired value for a given process variable. Sometimes refers to analog
outputs from an IOC or RTU.

Synchronous. Fixed-rate transmission of bits of data, synchronized by a common clock

signal, for both the sender and the receiver.

Thermocouple. A sensor, similar in functionality to a RTD, used for obtaining process

temperatures.

Trigger. A trigger is either a hardware or software qualification set to monitors a condition

that when it occurs, some action is either started or stopped.

Tx. Transmit. Usually in reference to some communication interface.

UART. Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter is an integrated circuit that performs
peripheral interfacing functions with serial devices. The functions typically include:

• Serialization of data on output

• Deserialization of data on input
• Baud rate generation
• Asynchronous start/stop and parity bit detection/generation

UCS. Universal Configuration System is a DOS executable program used to configure and
operate various IOC/RTU units provided by the Company. End-users use this software to
configure and calibrate station-level units for proper operation with an overall control
system.

USART. Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter is an integrated

circuit that performs peripheral interfacing functions with serial devices. The functions are
the same as a UART but also include:

• Synchronous detection, insertion of preamble character

• Supplying of external sync clocks for both Transmit/Receive

SCADA is an acronym for:

Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition

SCADA is used by utilities and other process-oriented operations to collect data from
machinery, which may be located over a very large geographic area. A basic SCADA
system consists of two types of computers 1) "Master" and 2) "Remote." The Master (or
host) resides at a centrally-manned location (eg a control center) while the Remotes are
generally placed at un-manned locations.

An example is an electric utility, where the master is located at the control center (where
system operators monitor and control the entire system) and remotes are substations where
distribution power lines are interconnected. Remote computers, usually a Remote Terminal
Unit "RTU" or a Programmable Logic Controller "PLC" will respond to inquiries from the
Master (ie status of equipment) and will accept commands from the Master (open circuit
breaker B3) for controlling equipment.

Communications between a Master and a number of remotes can be via telephone-like

circuits, radio channels, or via fiber-optic communications media.

Go back to KNOWLEDGE BASE index

Go back to ADC home page

www.adcusa.com/knowbase/glossary.html

Automation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

(Redirected from Industrial automation)

Automation (ancient Greek: = self dictated) or industrial automation is the use of

computers to control industrial machinery and processes, replacing human operators. It is
a step beyond mechanization, where human operators are provided with machinery to
help them in their jobs. The most visible part of automation can be said to be industrial
robotics. Some advantages are repeatability, tighter quality control, waste reduction,
integration with business systems, increased productivity and reduction of labour. Some
disadvantages are high initial costs and increased dependence on maintenance.

By the middle of the 20th century, automation had existed for many years on a small scale,
using mechanical devices to automate the production of simply shaped items. However the
concept only became truly practical with the addition of the computer, whose flexibility
allowed it to drive almost any sort of task. Computers with the required combination of
power, price, and size first started to appear in the 1960s, and since then have taken over
the vast majority of assembly line tasks (some food production/inspection being a notable
exception).

In most cases specialised hardened computers referred to as PLCs (programmable logic

controllers) are used to synchronize the flow of inputs from sensors and events with the
flow of outputs to actuators and events. This leads to precisely controlled actions that
permit a tight control of the process or machine.

Human-machine interfaces (HMI) are usually employed to communicate to PLCs. e.g.:

To enter and monitor temperatures or pressures to be maintained.

Another form of automation that involves computers is called test automation, where
computers are programmed to mimic what human testers do when manually testing
software applications. This is accomplished by using test automation tools to produce
special scripts (written as computer programs) that tell the computer exactly what to do in
order to run the same manual tests.

Contents
[hide]

• 1 Social issues of automation

• 2 Current social effects of automation
 • 3 See also

• 4 Useful Journals and Books on

Automation
[edit]

Social issues of automation

Automation raises several important social issues. Among them is automation's impact on
employment/unemployment.

Some argue automation leads to higher employment. One author made that case here:
When automation was first introduced, it caused widespread fear. It was thought that the
displacement of human workers by computerized systems would lead to unemployment
(this also happened with mechanization, centuries earlier). In fact the opposite was true, the
freeing up of the labor force allowed more people to enter information jobs, which are
typically higher paying. One odd side effect of this shift is that "unskilled labor" now pays
very well in most industrialized nations, because fewer people are available to fill such jobs
leading to supply and demand issues.

Some, such as technocrats, argue the reverse, at least in the long term. First, automation
has only just begun and short-term conditions might partially obscure its long-term impact.
For instance many manufacturing jobs left the United States during the early 1990s, but a
massive upscaling of IT jobs at the same time offset this as a whole.

It appears that automation does devalue unskilled labour through its replacement with
less-expensive machines, however the overall effect of this on the workforce as a whole
remains unclear. Today automation of the workforce in the "western world" is quite
advanced, yet during the same period the general wellbeing of its citizens has increased
dramatically. What role automation played in these changes has not been well studied.

[edit]

Current social effects of automation

Currently, for manufacturing companies, the purpose of automation has shifted from
increasing productivity and reducing costs to increasing quality and flexibility in the
manufacturing process. In the last five years major manufacturing companies have shifted
focus due to intensifying competition and difficulties working with a low-level skilled
workforce.

The old focus on using automation to increase productivity and reduce costs is now being
exchanged for the new, because companies are having trouble finding a skilled workforce
who can make repairs and manage the machinery. Because manufacturing companies could
not find and were having difficulty training people to be highly skilled in managing
machinery, they stopped focusing on increasing productivity, because it was putting people
out of work. They also switched, because with a low supply of people to manage the new
equipment it became too costly of a procedure.

Automation is now applied to increase quality to the manufacturing process, where

automation can increase quality substantially. For instance, pistons used to be installed into
engines manually. Currently, they are in transition to being installed by machines. This is
because the error rate for manual installment was around 1-1.5%, and now it is 0.00001%
with automation. They are also implementing automation to operations that may be
hazardous to employees, such as casting.

The other major shift in automation is to increase flexibility and convertibility to the
manufacturing process. As stated above, automation was previously used to increase
productivity and cost efficiency directly to the manufacturing process. Now, manufacturers
are trying instead to increase flexibility (for example, the ability to switch from making
Product A to making Product B on the same machines on the same production lines).

[edit]

See also
• Retraining

[edit]

Useful Journals and Books on Automation

• International Journal of Automation and Control
• Automation Network Selection
• The Consumer Guide to Fieldbus Network Equipment for Process Control
• Wireless Networks for Industrial Automation 2nd Edition
• Jeremy Rifkin: The End of Work: The Decline of the Global Labor Force and the
Dawn of the Post-Market Era

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automation"

Categories: Industry | Production and manufacturing

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