5 Other Control Systems
5.1 DCS

Distributed Control Systems (DCS) are large process control systems PCS (Process Control Systems – also used as synonyms), which began to be used in the 60 years with the advent of the first control computers, which represented the numerical solution of the centralized control of large technological systems such as chemical processes, power plants, etc. They were built as suitable centralized solution.

Some DCS systems are specialized, some are, however applicable in more areas. Exceptions are control systems, where extremely high demands on safety and reliability of the control system. Highly secure and reliable systems are very expensive and therefore not deployed where it is not absolutely necessary. These systems are characterized by strict hierarchical construction with three levels of control that is bottom-up:

  • Sensors level – sensors, actuators
  • Level of the first control (technology control and regulation)
  • Operator level
  • Superior level

In any case, however, still represent a large DCS control system with only a high degree of reliability in areas where it is necessary to treat a large number of inputs and outputs of various types and where reliability and security is absolutely categorical requirement. Their advantage is also the compactness of the system.