Industrial Communications and Control Protocols

Michael J. Hamill, P.E.

Course Outline

This course provides key details on some protocols, or digital communications schemes, that are widely-used in plant and industrial applications. It explains why protocols are so useful, and aims to reduce readers' confusion about a complex topic. It discusses the components that make up reliable communications networks. It stresses how reliable communications and control depends on reliable networks. And it describes how different protocols are used for different uses. The course will be most helpful to those who use Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Distributed Control Systems (DCSs), or those who interact with people who set-up or maintain such equipment.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

This course will be:

• Explaining what protocols are;
• Explaining what communications and control protocols do;
• Explaining how use of protocols makes it easier for controllers to operate;
• Describing some commonly-used network topologies;
• Describing some hardware and cables used for digital communications;
• Detailing some different ways of transmitting data over networks;
• Condensing often confusing information about protocols;
• Explaining how protocols interrelate with networks and the Internet; and
• Describing some commonly used protocols and their uses.

Intended Audience

This course is intended for Professional Engineers.

Benefit to Attendees

This course provides engineers with the key facts about some commonly-used communications and control protocols.

This course will take about 3 hours for study and quiz-taking. The student will acquire three (3) continuing education credits upon successful completion of this course.

Course Introduction

In this course, protocols used with sensors, actuators, and some widely-used PLCs and DCSs are explained for readers' benefit. So are some open protocols that were developed in a consensual process by industry associations and related organizations.

Course Content

This course content is in the following PDF document:

Industrial Communications and Control Protocols

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Course Summary

Communications and control protocols that find widespread use in industry and plant applications are discussed in this course. The extent that controllers depend on reliable networks is stressed. Networks components are also examined.

Selected References

Web resource: https://en.wikipedia.com/wiki/Fieldbus (Wikipedia)
Web resource: http://www.fieldbus.com/
Web resource: www.profibus.com/
“Introduction to Computer Networking” (Course E175, Dale E. Callahan, www.pdhcenter.com/ www.pdhonline.com)
"How to Develop High Reliability Ethernet Control Systems Using Media Redundancy" (Acromag, Inc. White Paper)
“An Introduction to Modbus® Serial Communication” (Precision Digital Corp.)

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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