The Microcomputer/Programmable Controller Syndrome

As the digital control field incorporates new technology (eg, bubble memory, VLSI, fiber optics, Josephsen junctions, etc), the development of new control tools is advancing at a pell-mell pace. The board-level microcomputer (MC) and the programmable controller (PC) are two types of controller spin-offs from today's technology. The similarity in the architecture and functions of these units makes proper selection difficult. This paper provides guidelines for the selection of MC or PC in industrial control applications.