Simulation based control logic tests

Abstract

Testing the control code implemented in the Process Control System (PCS) is an important part of the PCS engineering process and a prerequisite for rapid commissioning and the correct functioning of the plant. With the aid of simulation of the IO behaviour of the relevant sensors and actuators as well as the physical process, these tests can be carried out earlier, quicker and more comprehensively. In this article, essential aspects of an efficient simulation-based testing of control programs are discussed. A simulation tool is presented which is able to generate the simulation model semi-automatically on the basis of PCS engineering tool data. In a related article, a research approach will be presented with which simulation models based on object oriented CAE data can be generated fully-automatically.