Sensor, actuator and loop validation

Economic pressures are dispersing machine intelligence away from centralised computers towards distributed fieldbus devices. Meanwhile the control concept is being extended to include other operational factors such as quality assurance, process data management, just-in-time maintenance, and plant safety and availability. As credible sensing and actuation are essential prerequisites for advanced control, validation of the sensor and actuator interface is necessary. As such subsystems are linked to a range of different overall plant systems, we must consider generic validation and its reporting to the 'next level up'. The paper discusses validation features which are best embedded in local devices.