Categorizing automation, control, and instrumentation technologies has become increasingly difficult. Products fit into more than one area. Systems and devices incorporate multiple technologies. Discrete, process, and batch applications each contain elements of the others. Software and networks connect it all.

Still, it's human to categorize to help understand the tools that help solve challenges facing our businesses.

One categorization follows—by Control Engineering website channels—of what we plan to cover for you this year. At the website, take a look still another way: who's doing what by month and when at www.controleng.com/mediainfo. We're aiming to ease your complexities throughout 2002—I can hardly wait!

Process and advanced control: Controller survey and trends; electronic records and regulatory compliance; valve calibration; control system redundancy; frequency domain; uniting batch systems and Six Sigma; adaptive control; Product Focus research on control valves; and control valve intelligence.

Instrumentation and process sensors: Contact temperature sensing; Product Focus research on data acquisition and on transmitters; course aggregate bulk level sensing; gain scheduling; pressure sensing; Humidity sensing; sensors research; and ultrasonic flowmeters.

Software and information integration: Internet in manufacturing; SQL databases; integrating control and safety; object-based automation; Internet in process control; and sequential function charts.

Machine control and discrete sensors: Product Focus research on terminal blocks; photoelectric sensors; new developments in discrete sensors; Product Focus research on I/O Devices and on discrete sensors; vision systems; Product Focus research on PLCs; safety relays.

Human-machine interface (HMI): Handhelds and wireless operator interface; Product Focus: Handheld test and measurements; Product Focus research on operator-interface terminals; and HMI/SCADA software.

Motors, drives, and motion control: Motion control research study and trends; electric servos; motion-control standards; Product Focus research on ac adjustable-speed drives; robotics; chip-based/ motion control, and medium-voltage motors.

Embedded control: XML/OPC programming; special report controllers: application guidelines; and embedded control technologies.

Networks and communications: Product Focus on industrial networks; wiring/insulation displacement; safety networks; justify investments for fieldbus; Ethernet hardware layer; augmenting veteran networks; network connectors, and network diagnostics.

Control components: Power conditioning and isolation; slip rings/rotary joints; and Product Focus research on power supplies.

System integration: System integrator registration; system integrator applications; Integrator Updates; Control Engineering Automation Integrator Guide articles and online advanced search capabilities at www.controleng.com/integrators.

In addition, look for shows, news, other coverage: National Industrial Automation Show at Manufacturing Week; Editors' Choice Awards; Embedded Systems Conferences; e-mailed newsletters, webcasts and other tutorials, Control Engineering Buyer's Guide at www.controleng.com/buyersguide; daily news online; new products weekly; Control Engineering Europe trends, technology, and coverage.

Look out, 2002!