To reasonably validate control systems a
suitable test environment that fulfills
requirements of different test scenarios must
exist. Ideally, physical test areas with matching
installed components should be available. As such
areas cannot be provided in large numbers and
cannot be adapted to different test scenarios
without any effort, we support the testing of
control systems by combining physical installations
with a simulator
environment .
Therefore, a physical testbed
was instrumented. This instrumentation was realized
through the implementation of a distributed,
microcontroller- and fieldbus-based system (see
figure). Four Rooms and two hallway segments of a
university building are equipped with sensors and
actuators. The fieldbus standard CAN and
microcontrollers (uC) of the 8051 family are used.
Microcontrollers control sensors and actuators, and
run basic control strategies. The fieldbus is used
as a real-time network for connecting the
microcontrollers. In addition to the hardware for
the microcontrollers, the circuitry for temperature
sensors, illuminance sensors, contacts and switches
were realized. Also the firmware for controlling
and configuring the system over the CAN bus was
implemented. For realizing an interface to the
testbed embedded and standard PCs are connected by
an Ethernet network. Additionally, these PCs can be
used for running complex control system
prototypes.
Further Reading:
-
A. Metzger
Ein flexibles Testfeld für
Experimente im Bereich der Gebäudeautomation
und -simulation
SFB 501-Bericht No. 04/2001, University of
Kaiserslautern, 2001
(
abstract,
PDF, 342 KB,
gzipped postscript, 729 KB)
Questions to:
Andreas Metzger (metzger@informatik.uni-kl.de)
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