Remote control system design and implementation over the Internet

This chapter describes an approach to the design, testing, and implementation of real-time control systems over the Internet. Process models and control systems are remotely designed and tested in a virtual environment and then implemented in a real plant through a distributed integration environment. Although the system designers and real-site operators are geographically dispersed, they work together as a team over the Internet without any effect caused by the distance between them. As a consequence, both time and money can be saved because there is no need for any control software supplier’s expert to travel to the site of the real plant and conduct on-site implementation. A generic control system life cycle model is presented first in this chapter. An Internet-based distributed general information infrastructure is proposed and implemented to remotely facilitate process modeling, control system design, simulation, validation, and on-site implementation. A water tank rig with a liquid level control system is used as a case study to illustrate how the remote design, testing, and implementation over the Internet are implemented in the distributed integration environment. Although service-oriented architecture, distributed data service, and Jini technologies are three possible options for implementing the integrated environment, only the Jini technology is used here. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2011.