Industrial automation

Summary

This course consists of two parts: 1) architecture of automation systems, hands-on lab 2) dependable systems and handling of faults and failures in real-time systems, including fault-tolerant computing

Content

Keywords

1. Processes and plants, automation system architecture
2. Instrumentation, Programmable Logic Controllers and embedded computers
3. Industrial communication networks, field busses
4. Field device access protocols and application program interfaces
5. Human interface and supervision
6. Dependability (Reliability, Availability, Safety, ...)

Learning Prerequisites

Recommended courses

Communication networks

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Characterize the (software) architecture of a automation system
• Apply methods and trade-offs in real-time systems
• Analyze a plant
• Propose suitable automation solutions meeting the requirements
• Analyze the reliability, availability, safety of a system

Transversal skills

• Write a scientific or technical report.
• Use both general and domain specific IT resources and tools
• Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
• Keep appropriate documentation for group meetings.
• Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
• Plan and carry out activities in a way which makes optimal use of available time and other resources.

Teaching methods

Oral presentation aided by slides, exercises as part of the lecture, practical work (workshop at Siemens and group assignment).

Expected student activities

• Understand material presented during lectures by asking questions and/or independent (online) searches
• Attend Siemens workshop (one full day on Siemens premises in Renens)
• Work on group assignment
• Hand-in artifacts for assignment on time

Assessment methods

Assignment 25% and final oral exam 75%

Resources

Bibliography

Introduction to Industrial Automation, Stamatios Manesis & George Nikolakopoulos, CRC Press, 2018

Ressources en bibliothèque

• Introduction to Industrial Automation / Manesis

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/CS-487