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Organization of industrial control computers

The efficient use of industrial control computers is recognized as an organizational problem akin to the traffic-switching problem in communications. A systematic approach to this problem is proposed, based on theory developed for the handling of telephone traffic. The application of the approach in...

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Main Author: Rodd, Michael Godfrey
Other Authors: Enslin, NC de V
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Department of Electrical Engineering 2016
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access_status_str Open Access
author Rodd, Michael Godfrey
author2 Enslin, NC de V
author_browse Enslin, NC de V
Rodd, Michael Godfrey
author_facet Enslin, NC de V
Rodd, Michael Godfrey
author_sort Rodd, Michael Godfrey
collection Thesis
description The efficient use of industrial control computers is recognized as an organizational problem akin to the traffic-switching problem in communications. A systematic approach to this problem is proposed, based on theory developed for the handling of telephone traffic. The application of the approach indicates that it is necessary to re-evaluate traditional hardware/software relationships. A change in these relationships is desirable, since multi-programmed computers spend too much time in handling their own organization. This situation is compounded in time-critical industrial process-control applications. It is proposed that the solution lies in the use of a flexible hardware operating system, working in close relationship with a conventional minicomputer. The unit proposed to implement this function, termed a microcontroller, makes use of the new bipolar microprocessor elements and provides a high-speed, flexible control unit, adaptable to user requirements. To retain a high degree of flexibility the microcontroller is microprogrammable. In essence, the unit executes the principal functions of a real-time operating system, acts as a pre-processor for all incoming requests, and ensures a high rate of task-switching. This system is applied to a series of configurations, each selected to demonstrate, quantitatively, the value of the technique in real applications. Comparisons are made between real-time control configurations based on the software-implemented approach and the identical configurations based on this system. The proposed strategy is shown to result in a better and more economical industrial controller. The wider implication for any aspect of organization is that "bigger" is not necessarily "better". Successful management implies effective use of facilities, rather than a proliferating structure.
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institution University of Cape Town (South Africa)
language eng
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license_str Not specified — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
publishDate 2016
publishDateRange 2016
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publisher Department of Electrical Engineering
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source_str UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
spelling oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/16761 Organization of industrial control computers Rodd, Michael Godfrey Enslin, NC de V MacGregor, Ken Electrical Engineering Electronic Engineering Computer Systems The efficient use of industrial control computers is recognized as an organizational problem akin to the traffic-switching problem in communications. A systematic approach to this problem is proposed, based on theory developed for the handling of telephone traffic. The application of the approach indicates that it is necessary to re-evaluate traditional hardware/software relationships. A change in these relationships is desirable, since multi-programmed computers spend too much time in handling their own organization. This situation is compounded in time-critical industrial process-control applications. It is proposed that the solution lies in the use of a flexible hardware operating system, working in close relationship with a conventional minicomputer. The unit proposed to implement this function, termed a microcontroller, makes use of the new bipolar microprocessor elements and provides a high-speed, flexible control unit, adaptable to user requirements. To retain a high degree of flexibility the microcontroller is microprogrammable. In essence, the unit executes the principal functions of a real-time operating system, acts as a pre-processor for all incoming requests, and ensures a high rate of task-switching. This system is applied to a series of configurations, each selected to demonstrate, quantitatively, the value of the technique in real applications. Comparisons are made between real-time control configurations based on the software-implemented approach and the identical configurations based on this system. The proposed strategy is shown to result in a better and more economical industrial controller. The wider implication for any aspect of organization is that "bigger" is not necessarily "better". Successful management implies effective use of facilities, rather than a proliferating structure. 2016-02-05T07:07:56Z 2016-02-05T07:07:56Z 1976 Doctoral Thesis Doctoral PhD http://hdl.handle.net/11427/16761 eng application/pdf Department of Electrical Engineering Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment University of Cape Town
spellingShingle Electrical Engineering
Electronic Engineering
Computer Systems
Rodd, Michael Godfrey
Organization of industrial control computers
thesis_degree_str Doctoral
title Organization of industrial control computers
title_full Organization of industrial control computers
title_fullStr Organization of industrial control computers
title_full_unstemmed Organization of industrial control computers
title_short Organization of industrial control computers
title_sort organization of industrial control computers
topic Electrical Engineering
Electronic Engineering
Computer Systems
url http://hdl.handle.net/11427/16761
work_keys_str_mv AT roddmichaelgodfrey organizationofindustrialcontrolcomputers