| Abstract: | This paper describes an approach for the integration of control system software design, testing, and implementation over the Internet using the Java and Jini technologies. Process models and control systems are remotely designed and tested in a virtual laboratory (also called the virtual world), and then implemented in a physical plant (also called the real world) through an integrated environment. Although control system and process model designers and real‐site operators are geographically dispersed they work together as a team over the Internet to provide the maintenance support to all the authorized industrial processes. As a consequence, time and money can both be saved because there is no need for an expert of the control software supplier to travel to the site of the real plant and conduct on‐site implementation. A generic control system life cycle model is presented first in this paper. Then three enabling technologies including Java, Jini and WWW are briefly introduced. Taking advantage of the Java, Jini and WWW technologies, an Internet‐based general infrastructure is proposed to remotely facilitate process modelling, control system design, simulation, validation and on‐site implementation. An integrated environment is established to implement the infrastructure. A water tank with a liquid level control system is refereed as a case study to illustrate how the prototype of the integrated environment works over the Internet. Further work and the conclusions are given at the end. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
