Microcomputers for Process Control provides an introduction to microprocessor technology for process monitoring and control. The book begins with an overview of microprocessor applications in areas such as consumer products, factories, and telecommunications. This is followed by separate chapters that discuss microcomputer technology; electrical interface to enable plant monitoring and control by microcomputer; microcomputer system hardware and software; VDU-based plant monitoring systems; and methods of computer control.
This book is aimed at practicing engineers in industry who wish to acquire a base of understanding of this technology and also to learn how microcomputers can actually be applied in real plant situations. Considerable emphasis is given to plant measurements, interfacing techniques and applications of microcomputers for plant monitoring and control. No prior knowledge of microprocessor technology is assumed, but some awareness of plant measurement and control problems will assist the reader. Students undertaking engineering courses which include microelectronics or process control studies should also find the text helpful.

1. Survey of Microprocessor Applications 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Mass-Produced Consumer Devices 1.3 Commercial Systems 1.4 Factory Applications 1.5 "Hidden" Microcomputers 1.6 Telecommunications 1.7 Single-Board Computers 1.8 Miscellaneous Applications 1.9 Future Applications2. Microcomputer Technology 2.1 Number Systems 2.2 Logical Functions 2.3 Integrated Circuits 2.4 Main Elements in a Microcomputer 2.5 The CPU 2.6 The Fetch/Execute Cycle 2.7 ROM Memory 2.8 RAM Memory 2.9 Input/Output 2.10 The Bus System 2.11 DMA (Direct Memory Access) 2.12 Software Concepts 2.13 Typical Instruction Set 2.14 Microprocessor Survey3. Plant Measurements and Microcomputer Interface 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Temperature Measurement 3.3 Flow Measurement 3.4 Pressure Measurement 3.5 Level Measurement 3.6 Weight Measurement 3.7 Chemical Analysis 3.8 Miscellaneous Measurements 3.9 Signal Ranges 3.10 Digital Inputs 3.11 Analogue Outputs 3.12 Digital Outputs 3.13 Digital Instrumentation 3.14 Amplifier Techniques 3.15 Typical Plant Interface 3.16 Installation Details 3.17 Telemetry4. Microcomputer System Hardware 4.1 Microcomputer Configuration 4.2 Storage Techniques 4.3 Floppy Disc 4.4 Hard Disc 4.5 Magnetic Tape Cassette 4.6 Printers 4.7 Television Monitor 4.8 VDU 4.9 Keyboards 4.10 Graph Plotter 4.11 Serial Transmission 4.12 Analogue/Digital Conversion 4.13 Digital/Analogue Conversion 4.14 Multiplexed Input/Output 4.15 System Back-up (Duality)5. VDU-Based Systems for Plant Monitoring 5.1 Minis and Micros for Display 5.2 "Shared Display" Systems 5.3 Typical Proprietary "Shared Display" Systems 5.4 Small Tailored Display Systems 5.5 Mimic Representation 5.6 Instrument Data Display 5.7 Trend Recording 5.8 Online Design Facilities 5.9 Printer Logging6. Modes of Control 6.1 General Methods of Computer Control 6.2 Principle of Continuous Control 6.3 Conventional Controllers 6.4 Supervisory Control 6.5 Direct Digital Control (DDC) 6.6 Microcomputer 3-term Controller 6.7 On/Off and Batch Control 6.8 Mathematical Modeling 6.9 More Complex Control Techniques7. Microcomputer System Software 7.1 Programming Techniques 7.2 Programming Languages 7.3 Development Facilities 7.4 Executive Routines 7.5 Utility Modules 7.6 Scanning Routines 7.7 Calculation Routines 7.8 Display Programming 7.9 Data Storage 7.10 System Loading 7.11 Hardware Diagnostic Routines8. Applications 8.1 Distributed Processing System 8.2 Outstations 8.3 Sequence Controls 8.4 Pushing-Car Position Logging 8.5 Water-Turbine Governor 8.6 Personal Computer for Process Control9. OPerating Details for Specific Microcomputers 9.1 The Apple II Microcomputer 9.2 The Texas 9900 MicrocomputerIndex