Treffer: Integration of advanced model based control with industrial IT

Advanced model based control is a promising technology that can improve the productivity of industrial processes. In order to find its way into regular applications, advanced control must be integrated with the industrial control systems. Modern control systems, on the other hand, need to extend the reach of traditional automation systems - beyond control of the process - to also cover the increasing amount of information technology (IT) required to successfully operate industrial processes in to-day's business markets. The Industrial IT System 800xA from ABB provides a scalable solution that spans and integrates loop, unit, area, plant, and interplant controls. This paper introduces the 800xA and the underlying Aspect Object technology It is shown how model knowledge and optimization solver technology are integrated into the 800xA framework. This way, advanced model based control solutions can be set up in an open and modularly structured way. New model and solver aspects can be combined with available aspects covering standard functionality like process connectivity, management of process data, trend&history data and application data, as well as operator graphics. A Nonlinear Model-based Predictive Controller (NMPC) for power plant start-up is treated as example. This paper discusses how NMPC can be integrated with a modern control system so that standard concepts are re-used for this advanced model based control concept.