Communication systems to monitor and control the production environment

Advances in microprocessor technology made it possible to include intelligence in devices for better control and diagnostics. Using communication networks permits the connection of such devices on a bus system. Such communication systems have to fulfil multiple requirements depending on the application. The use of an open system communication bus and a programmable data structure fulfil the needs of drives and remote I/O controls. Consideration has to be given to the transmission speed for monitoring and application dependent control functions.