Automation protocols standardization

The most notable effort in standardizing plant automation protocols... 

A group of computers can become networked once intercomputer communication is established. Prior to the 1980s, all system suppHers used proprietary protocols to network their systems. The recent introduction of standardized protocols is based on the ISO-OSI seven-layer model. The manufacturing automation protocol (MAP), which adopted the ISO-OSI standards as its basis, specifies a broadband backbone local area network (LAN). Originally intended for discrete component systems, MAP has evolved to address the integration of DCSs used in process control as well. TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/internet protocol) has been adopted for communication between nodes that have different operating systems. 

A recent data communications protocol for Building Automation and Control Networks (BACnet), ASHRAE Standard 135-1995, is an important step to ensure that controllers made by different manufacturers can communicate with each other in a simple way, avoiding the expense of additional interface hardware and communication software. 

Today, much more than just data are produced electronically. Many documents needed for studies that fall under the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards regulations are being managed electronically. These records include not only data, such as chromatographic data from automated electronic capture systems and raw data collected in electronic field notebooks, but also other documents, such as methods, protocols, reports and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Frequently, these records are generated, distributed, reviewed, and archived electronically. 

Communication plays an increasingly important role. Several technical possibilities of common protocols for such communication networks are under investigation, and some common standards are being developed, such as the EIB, the European Installation Bus system. Also communication access via power lines (PLC Powerline Communication, at frequencies in the 10 to 150 kHz band) may be introduced, where house automation services and energy-related services (like remote access to the current counters) may be linked. 

Standardized staining protocols require standardized reagents to ensure reproducible results. Manufacturers of automated immunostaining instruments may supply proprietary buffers and wash solutions for their instrument, but the properties of these should be within the range of parameters that are used in manual staining. (The primary additives to manufacturer-supplied reagents are surfactants.)... 

Implementing this level of automation intelligence has been the most difficult to realize within manufacturing industries. That is, while automation controls integration of simple univariate instruments (e.g., a hlter photometer) is seamless, it is much more problematic for multivariate or spectral instruments. This is due to the tower of babble problem with various process spectroscopic instraments across process instrument manufactures. That is, the communications protocols, wavelength units and hie formats are far from standardized across spectral instruments, even within a particular class of techniques such as vibrational spectroscopy. Several information technology (IT) and automation companies have recently attempted to develop commercialized solutions to address this complex problem, but the effectiveness of these solutions has yet to be determined and reported. 

System installation in a permanent location may require a sample conditioning system featuring some degree of automation, such as automatic cleaning (the system illustrated above features such a system) and outlier sample collection and the need to interface to an existing control system process computer. The latter may require that the system operates with a standardized communications protocol, such as Modbus, for the chemical industry. Certain specialized industries use different protocols, such as the semiconductor industry, which uses SECS and SEC-11 protocols. A standardized approach designated the Universal Fieldbus is another method/protocol for process analyzers which is being supported by certain hardware manufacturers. 

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