Fuzzy logic approach in a distributed plant automation system with intelligent front end controllers

Fuzzy set theory is getting increasing importance in process control applications. Electronics Division of BHEL, Bangalore have developed an integrated plant automation system in distributed architecture known as “DIPAS”. The system incorporates man-machine interface, a fast local area network, 32-bit VME-based main processor and multiprocessor based all intelligent front end controllers. The control strategy is configured by user friendly function blocks. The paper explains the approach for enhancement of the system by incorporation of fuzzy-control. The paper brings out the fact that distributed multiprocessor architecture of the system is well suited for fuzzy logic control which co-exist along with conventional controls. A brief system architecture along with fuzzy logic based control approach is described in the paper