Minimum Implementation Tasks Required

• Data Acquisition: Convert analog signals in their standard voltage and current ranges from the sensors into digital forms, and convert digital signals from the microcontroller to the actuators into analog signals within their standard ranges. It is required to implement such a data acquisition card with 8 input and output channels.
• Control: Implement a few local control loops (PID and On/Off control) using suitable microcontrollers. The processes to be controlled may be RC electrical circuits which are analogous to hydraulic, thermal and mechanical processes. The controller should be able to implement up to 8 control loops.
• Hardware: Add wireless networking capabilities to each local microcontroller via one of its standard interfaces. This networking capability should allow the microcontroller to receive the digital controller parameters (e.g. set point, PID values, On/Off conditions) from the laptop, PDA or PC as well as transmitting output values to the control room.
• Software: Develop the software that integrates the local controllers and the engineer's portable station to allow the engineer to control and monitor the processes. The software should have different GUI capabilities to display the output values (graphs, graphics simulation of the real process, LCD screen, etc.).