Process control via internet

IIn this study, a system of remote process control (REPCO) via Internet is introduced. Minimum requirements to use this system are two computers: a server and a client connected through Internet. In this environment, the role of the server is to control the process via some sort of controller device. On the other hand, the client is to convey the control related commands and messages of the user to the server. Therefore, as long as there is an Internet connection, the client can be anywhere. In our research we have used a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) to transmit the equipment’s data to the server computer and control the equipments by executing the commands received. In our approach, the server will process the incoming equipment related data and will send them, along with the associated screen snapshots, to the client. Server will also transmit the user and/or client-originated commands to the PLC. The fundamental idea of getting data and screen snapshots from the server and responding by sending the required commands will allow user/client to obtain the control authorization for monitoring the process remotely. Although the scope of this experiment contains a small infrastructure composed of one process, one server, and one client, the proposed method can easily be adapted to systems in different domains. © 2001, IOS Press. All rights reserved