Advanced Control
Not all the topics in this category are really advanced control, but they are in some sense
above and beyond basic plant floor controls. The first topic, Process Modeling, is not
really control at all, but modeling is becoming increasingly important in automation
as systems become so complex that control design, checkout of configuration, and operator
training all need to use process models.
The neural network type of modeling seems so academic to some people who meet it
for the first time that it hardly seems worth a second glance. However, the successful appli-
cation of this technology to virtual or soft sensors for things too complex to easily measure
online, including stack gas composition, makes this technology something that every
automation professional needs to understand.

Advanced Process Control, the second topic, is truly advanced control. Over time, what we
used to call “advanced” becomes commonplace and some new things take on the advanced
name. A few years ago, feedforward control was considered “advanced,” but today we simply
group that with the regulatory control in the Continuous Control topic. The model reference,
model predictive control, and fuzzy logic are generally considered
advanced today, but since these are built-in capabilities in cur-
rent-generation DCS controllers, these will become so common
that, in a few years, we will consider them part of basic control.
Of this group, model predictive control is the most widely used
and should be in the knowledge base of all automation profes-
sionals, whether or not they work in the process area.
Batch is one of the success stories of ISA standardization work,
with the widespread acceptance and benefits of the ANSI/ISA88
Batch Control series of standards. In this sense, “batch” does not
mean just a batch process where the steps are sequenced. Rather,
batch in the ISA88 context means the use of recipes that are sep-
arated from the equipment capabilities. A general knowledge of
the batch standard is fundamental to automation knowledge.
Environmental is not exactly an automation discipline, but it is
so important in automation that it has been given its own topic.
Monitoring of emissions is a very important task for automation
professionals so that subject has been given strong emphasis.
Some years ago, heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning controls (HVAC) were considered
too commercial and low cost to be a real part of true automation. However, today Building
Automation is a rapidly growing technical field that we increasingly need to treat as a part of
automation. The sophistication of controls and communications in this area now parallel the

sophistication in any other area of automation.

A Guide to the Automation Body of Knowledge, 2nd Edition Vernon L. Trevathan, Editor This 2nd edition gives you comprehensive information about all major topics in the broad field of automation. Edited by Vernon Trevathan with contributions from over 30 leading experts from all aspects of automation, this book defines the most important automation concepts and processes. You will turn to this book again and again as the ultimate source on what is encompassed by automation.

Format: Hardbound Book – 2006 ISBN: 978-1-55617-984-6 Length: 506 pages; Weight: 3 lbs. Member: $109.00; List: $129.00 www.isa.org/autobok