Distributed control system architecture:Distributed control system is basically a series of microprocessor based multi-loop controllersdistributed along the communication

network often called data highway. Or A collection of small computers connected by a network to form a system specially designed for processcontrol. Or At DCS is a form of instrumentation that locates the controlling portion of the control system in theprocessing area where it measures process values (and discrete inputs) and produce output signal toposition the actuators as a function of deviation from the set point, while by means if electricaltransmission process information is communicated to a central location where the operator can sit andmanipulate on the loop of control in the system.DCS offers powerful automation capabilities from basic control functions to production and qualitymanagement.The system performs following functions: 1. Control of process parameters. 2.Data acquisition and monitoring. 3.Alarming 4.Logging 5.Report generation 6.Recipe control 7.Logic operations 8.Sequence control 9.Corrects history data and display it in the trend display 10.Process management 11.Provides interface to other system The functions of the system are distributed to different stations which are connected to one anotherthrough a bus interface. The stations are able to operate independently of the rest of the system.The DCS should have the following characteristics. 1.The system should be functional and topographically distributed design and should have ahierarchical structure. 2.It should distribute the functions among devices and stations in accordance with the hierarchyand modularity of the automation task and to suit the individual requirements involved.

The devices in this architecture are grouped three categories.1. Those that interface directly to the process to be controlled or monitored.2. Those that perform high level human interfacing and computing functions.3. Those that provide the means of communication between the other devices. A brief definition of each device is given below:1. Local control unit (LCU):The smallest collection of hardware in the system that can do closed loop control. The LCUinterfaces directly to the process.2. Low level human interface (LLHI):A device that allows the operator or instrument engineer to interact with the local control unit(e.g.:- to change the set points, control modes, control configurations or tuning parameters)using a direct connection. LLHI s can also interface directly to the process operator orientedhardware at this level is called a low level operator interface; instrument engineer orientedhardware is called a low level engineering interface.3. Data input/ output unit (DI/OU):A device that interfaces to the process only for the purpose of acquiring or outputting data iscalled Data input/ output unit. In performs no control functions.4. High level human interface (HLHI):A collection of hardware that performs functions similar to the LLHI but with increasedcapability and user friendliness is called high level human interface. It interfaces to otherdevices only for the Shared communication facilities. Operator oriented hardware at this level iscalled the high level operator interface; instrument engineer oriented hardware is called thehigh level engineering interface.5. High level computing device (HLCD):The collection of microprocessor based hardware that performs plant management functionstraditionally performed by a plant computer. It interfaces to other devices only over the Sharedcommunication facilities.6. Computer interface device (CID):

A collection of hardware that allows an external general purpose computer to interact withother devices in the DCS using Shared communication facilities.7. Shared communication facilities:One of more levels of communication hardware and associated software that allows the sharingof data among all devices in the distributed system is Shared communication facility. Sharedcommunication facilities do not include dedicated communication channels between specificdevices or between hardware elements within a device.Several LCU S are used to implement the functions required in controlling the process;therefore, the control is functionally distributed. However, the LCU s are all located in a centralequipment room area and so it is not a geographically distributed control system. Both highlevel and low level human interface devices are located in the control room area for operationalpurposes. Most of the operator control functions are performed using high level interface; theirlow level interface is included in the configuration primarily to serve as a backup in case the highlevel interface fails. The HLHI is located in the instrument engineer area so that control system monitoring andanalysis can be done without disturbing plant operations. This type of installation is typical of early DCS configurations in which equipment location and operator interface design followsconvention practices.The fully distributed control system configuration is shown below. In this case, each in LCU islocated in the plant area closest to the portion of the process that it controls. Associated LLHIequipment is also located in this area. The control room and instrument engineering areas contain HLHI units, which are used toperform all of the primary operational and engineering functions. The lower level units are usedonly as manual backup controls in case the high level equipment fails or needs maintenance.This configuration takes advantage of two areas of the equipment savings that result from atotally distributed system architecture.1. Reduction in control room size by eliminating panel board equipment.2. Reduction in field wiring costs by placing LCU s near the process