Top 5 Control Engineering articles, July 14-20: PID math, PID control loops, Ethernet, more

Articles about tuning PID control loops, radio frequencies, PID math, programming PLCs, and ASM-compliant HMIs were Control Engineering’s five most clicked articles from last week, July 14-20. Were you out last week? Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra July 21, 2014

1. PID math demystified, part 4

You’ve seen the equations, but have you thought about how those elements work together? Part 4: Feed forward 

2. Tuning PID control loops for fast response

When choosing a tuning strategy for a specific control loop, it is important to match the technique to the needs of that loop and the larger process. It is also important to have more than one approach in your repertoire, and the Cohen-Coon method can be a handy addition in the right situation. 

3. Ethernet for automation

Get network infrastructure help, choose the right Ethernet protocol, get along with IT, and integrate. This Control Engineering July print and digital edition article integrates five online articles offering industrial Ethernet advice; link to each article here. 

4. Advanced control technology puts performance, safety above all

CAD Control Systems and Siemens Industry partner to bring continuous improvement to the oil exploration industry, adding reliability and efficiency to existing blow-out preventer control systems. 

5. Creating an ASM-compliant HMI goes deeper than screen color selection

Simply adopting ASM guidelines for graphics does not create an ASM-compliant HMI. Achieving that level of effectiveness involves a range of factors that address how people interact with the control system.

The list was developed using CFE Media’s web analytics for stories viewed on controleng.com, July 14-20, for articles published within the last two months.

– Chris Vavra, content specialist, CFE Media, cvavra@cfemedia.com.