Overview of Industrial Process Automation

Man-made or industrial processes, localised or geographically distributed, need be automated in order to ensure they produce quality, consistent, and cost-effective goods or services. Automation systems for these processes broadly consist of instrumentation, control, human interface, and communication subsystems.

This book introduces the basics of philosophy, technology, terminology, and practices of modern automation systems with simple illustrations and examples.

1. Why automation?
2. Automation system structure
3. Instrumentation subsystem
4. Control subsystem
5. Human interface subsystem
6. Automation strategies
7. Programmable control subsystem
8. Hardware structure of controller
9. Software structure of controller
10. Programming of controller
11. Advanced human interface
12. Types of automation systems
13. Special purpose controllers
14. System availability
15. Common configurations
16. Advanced Input/Output system
17. Concluding remarks

 Appendixes

1. Appendix A - Hardwired control subsystem
2. Appendix B- Processor
3. Appendix C - Hardware-software interfacing
4. Appendix D - Instruction set of processor
5. Appendix E - Basics of programming
6. Appendix F - Advanced control strategies
7. Appendix G - Power supply system
8. Appendix H - Further reading