It's a laptop! No, it's a tablet!

Let the debate begin as a new wave of portable gadgets flood the holiday market
This holiday shopping season, the hot tech item won't be a tablet or a laptop. If a recent wave of product announcements is any indication, it'll be a little of both.

The imminent release of the new, tablet-friendly Windows 8 operating system has sparked the imaginations of numerous tech companies, many of them proven PC manufacturers looking for a foothold in the exploding tablet market.

The result: A slew of gadgets that aim to merge a laptop's processing capabilities with the user-friendliness and portability of a tablet. Time will tell if buyers will take the bait, but these new-to-the-market gadgets may just be the best of both worlds.

Samsung Ativ Smart PC

Samsung's Ativ convertibles come in two versions — the basic Smart PC, which can handle day-to-day tasks, and the Smart PC Pro, which packs a powerful i5 chip. What sets the Ativ family apart is the accompanying S Pen stylus, which earned raves in early reviews for its responsiveness and handwriting recognition software. The 11.6-inch screen comes with 10-finger touch capabilities, letting you pinch, zoom, rotate and scroll with greater dexterity. The entry-level model will sell for $699, and the Smart PC Pro is priced at $1,149.


Acer Iconia W510 - Design, Connectivity and Keyboard Dock

First impressions of the W510 are certainly positive. Though the entire unit is made out of plastic, its matt silver finish gives it an attractive look that’s further enhanced by sleek, edgy lines. That matt finish also provides a good grip, if not on a level with soft-touch, and doesn’t show off fingerprints.

Competing with the 11.6-inch Asus Vivo Tab and Samsung Ativ Smart PC, the 10-inch Acer Iconia W510 is a ‘proper’ Windows 8 tablet/laptop hybrid that can run much of your legacy software, provides a multi-touch IPS screen, throws in a keyboard dock that also extends connectivity and battery life, and will last up to 18hrs on a charge according to Acer.

Toshiba Satellite U920t Ultrabook Convertible


A sliding hinge takes the Satellite from laptop mode, which features a LED-backlit keyboard, to tablet mode, where you can take advantage of a five-point touch Gorilla Glass screen. The Rapid Start feature found in much of the ultrabook family mimics the quick boot time of a tablet, but it certainly doesn't skimp on performance: The Satellite includes an Intel i5 processor and 128GB hard drive. Along with an HD webcam, it's equipped with a 3MP back camera for use while in tablet form — not stunning, but the Satellite, which is at its core a notebook mimicking a tablet's convenience, has its priorities in place. TheSatellite starts at $1,149.99.

Dell XPS 12

Dell does something a little different for its convertible unit — the screen is mounted on a spinning hinge within a frame, allowing you to fold the unit flat with the screen facing out for a tablet-style experience. The XPS 12 is, like the Satellite, a laptop in tablet's clothing; it boasts a number of high-performance, customizable specs, including Intel i5 and i7 processors, 4-plus GB of RAM, and either 128 or 256GB of hard disk space. The lightning-fast boot speed and processing punch should help make up for the price tag: It's $1,199.99 to $1,699.99 at Dell.com.

HP Envy x2

The Envy x2, which detaches from its keyboard using a magnetized hinge, fits more squarely in the "tablet" category. Its lower 64GB hard drive capacity, coupled with its 8MP back camera, suggests a device built with on-the-go use in mind. But in addition to the reasonable processing speed from its Intel Atom chip, there's bonuses like Beats Audio speakers and NFC technology, which allows you to share information between devices (like a desktop PC) by tapping them against one another — a feature you'll likely see in more machines going forward. It'll be available in early December for $849.99.

Microsoft Surface

Of course, Microsoft is getting in on the Windows 8 fun themselves with their newly unveiled Surface tablet. The flagship tablet borrows its design cues from Windows 8's colourful signature Live Tiles home screen; that's evident in the Surface's standout feature, the ingenious Touch Cover accessory. The cover includes a touch-sensitive "keyboard" — plus, there's also an upgraded Type Cover that includes more traditional moveable keys. The Surface negates the need for tablet stands with its built-in Kickstand, which folds into the device when not in use. The Surface opts for portability over power with its 32GB and 64GB iterations and NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor. Microsoft may be hoping its in-house software will lure buyers — the Surface comes pre-loaded with the Microsoft Office Home and Student software suites. It'll start at $519.

Introduction to Process Plant Control & Automation (Assignment Questions) Solution


ASSIGNMENT 2
‎2.1 Why process to be controlled?
ANS-  • Safety, environmental friendly, 
• operator friendly, 
• to improve product quality, 
• to increase production rate, 
• to meet specification, 
• most economical operating condition, 
• tougher competition, 
• reduced raw material cost, 
• extended equipment life, 
• reduced energy consumption, 
• stable plant operation (highly integrated plant with small surge capacities)


2.2 . List various steps in control system design?
ANS- 

1.  Formulate control objective

2. Select
 (a) controlled variable, 
(b) manipulated variable, 
(c) measured variable

3. Choose the control strategy & control structure

4. Specify the controller setting

Question 2.3 List PVs of stirred tank heating system?
ANS  •    Inlet fluid temperature Ti
• Outlet fluid temperature T
• Inlet fluid flow rate Wi
• Outlet fluid flow rate Wo
• Electrical heat inputs Q
o Change in heater R
o Change in Supply V
• Fluid level in tank
• Ambient temperature
Q. 2.4 List temperature control strategies of stirred tank heating system?
ANS• Method 1: measure T & adjust Q
• Method 2: measure Ti & adjust Q
• Method 3: measure T & adjust W
• Method 4: measure Ti & adjust W
• Method 5: measure T and T & adjust Q
• Method 6: measure T and T & adjust W
• Method 7: use a larger tank
2.9 What are the various control devices used for IA?
ANS Top of Form
There are following devices used for IA…
1. Digital Controller

2. PC based Control

3. PLC Based Control

4. PAC based Control

5. Conventional DCS Based Control

2.7 Which is the most appropriate temperature control strategy of stirred-tank heating system, why?

ANS  MEASURING T & Ti ADJUSTING Q

2.6 Why method 1& 2 combined and formed method 5?
ANS- Methods 1 & 2 are combined to form method 5 because it makes a combination of feedback as well as feedforward system

Q.2.5 List controlled variables, measured variable, manipulated variables and load variables in each of the above control strategies.

Q.2.8 List the elements of a feed back control loop:

Bottom of Form

Industrial Automation System Design: Introduction (Assignment Questions) Solution


ASSIGNMENT-1
QUESTION 1.1 What is industrial automation (IA)?
ANS.
Rahul Shandilya:  Automation = self dictated (ancient Greek)
Industrial automation is the use of control devices such as PC/PLC/PAC/DCS etc to control industrial processes & machinery replacing human operator

 Pawan Rana:  Automation is the use of machines, control systems and information technologies to optimize productivity in the production of goods and delivery of services. The correct incentive for applying automation is to increase productivity, and/or quality beyond that possible with current human labor levels so as to realize economies of scale, and/or realize predictable quality levels. The incorrect application of automation, which occurs most often, is an effort to eliminate or replace human labor. Simply put, whereas correct application of automation can net as much as 3 to 4 times original output with no increase in current human labor costs, incorrect application of automation can only save a fraction of current labor level costs. In the scope of industrialisation, automation is a step beyond mechanisation
Vikas Malviya:  the use of robotic, machines & PC,PLC,PAC etc devices to complete the manufacturing task in industries

Question 1.2 Differentiate between IA & mechanization?
Rahul Shandilya:  Mechanization provided human operators with machinery to assist them with the physical requirements of work
Automation is a step beyond mechanization
Automation greatly reduces the need for human sensory and mental requirements as well
Vikas Malviya : MECHANIZATION is the process of replacing human or animal labor by machines. mechanization needs human operators to machineries.  AUTOMATION is a step beyond mechanization in which human operators are replaced by automatic industrial processors such as PLC etc
Question 1.3 Why manufacturing/industrial process to be automated?
Rahul Shandilya 1. To increase productivity
2. Reduce production cost
3. To improve product quality
4. To increase the flexibility and convertibility in the manufacturing process
5. Environmental friendly
6. Operator friendly

Question 1.4 Make a list of IA system tasks?
ANS: IA System Task are following
1. Logic control
2. PID control
3. Advanced control
4. Data acquisition, analysis & presentation
5. Data logging
6. Process visualization
7. HMI design
8. Integration with the enterprise net work
9. Motion control
10. Vision systems
11. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
12. Maintenance etc
1.5 Draw process automation system hierarchy flow chart?
 1.6 What are the different process automation functions in each functional level
 ANS:       Functions: DĂ®rect Process Control
> Data acquisition
> Data check
> Plant monitoring
> Open & closed loop control
> Reporting
Functions: Plant Supervisory Control
>Plant performance monitoring
> Plant co-ordination
> Optimal process control
> Adaptive control
> Failure detections
1.7 Draw manufacturing automation system hierarchy structure

IASD John Sir Assignment


Industrial Automation System Design: Introduction
(Assignment Questions)
1.1 What is industrial automation (IA)?
1.2 Differentiate between IA & mechanization
1.3 Why manufacturing/industrial process to be automated?
1.4 Make a list of IA system tasks
1.5 Draw process automation system hierarchy flow chart
1.6 What are the different process automation functions in each functional level
1.7 Draw manufacturing automation system hierarchy structure

Introduction to Process Plant Control & Automation
(Assignment Questions)
2.1 Why process to be controlled?
2.2 List various steps in control system design
2.3 List PV5 of stirred tank heating system?
2.4 List temperature control strategies of stirred-tank heating system
2.5 List controlled variables, measured variable, manipulated variables and load variables in each of the above control strategies.
2.6 Why methodi & 2 combined and formed method 5?
2.7 Which is the most appropriate temperature control strategy of stirred-tank heating system, why?
2.8 List the elements of a feed back control loop
2.9 What are the various control devices used for IA?
2.10 What are the advantageous of distributed control system over it’s predecessor?
2.11 What are the advantageous of FF field bus based distributed control system over it’s predecessor?

Data Acquisition (DAQ) & Control system
(Assignment Questions)
4.1 What are the similarities and differences of PC,PAC and PLC
4.2 Based Temperature Control Scheme
4.3 What are the DAQ System Components?
4.5 What is the function of a transducer?
4.6 What is the goal of a DAQ system?

TC Measurement

5.1 What are the main measurement issues with TC. How they are tackled in practical measurements?

5.2 How to convert voltage from a TC to equivalent temperature accurately?

5.3 How software CJC & hardware CC are implemented?

5.4 Differentiate between software CC & hardware CC.

5.5 List TC selection criteria to select one among the TCs, for a particular application? What is the practical significance of each of this criteria.

5.6 Differentiate between grouded and ungrounded thermocouple from application point of view.

5.7 In TC signal conditioner — for software CJC, Why one end of TC is connected to +ve potential through high resistance and other end through high resistance to ground. Will this effect on the measurement
accuracy? How? Why high resistance is used?


5.8 In TC signal conditioner — for software DC, What is the type of input amp is used? Why?

5.9 In TC signal conditioner — for software CJC, Why a 2 pole filter is used?

5.10 What are the different sources of temperature measurement error while measuring using a TC?

5.11 In industrial TC is generally installed ¡n a thermowell why? Will it effect the response time of the sensor? How & why ?

5.12 Develop the software required to measure the temperature of steam in a boiler using J or E type TC, SCC-TCOX signal conditioning module and M series DAQ device. Provide visual interface to the operator. VI and
all sub VIs (sub VIs to: Convert temp to TC voltage, Convert TC voltage to temp, Converting thermistor reading to temp), required to be developed other than driver for DAQ device. Test the software using simulated signal. (Additional Exercise 5-9)


Measurement Using RTD
6.1 List popular temperature sensors and important characteristics. How does each of these characteristics effect the measured variable?

6.2 Which one is the most commonly used RTD and why?

6.3 What is the importance of the linearity of industrial process temperature sensors.

6.4 What are the different Pt RTD types?

6.5 Will the response time of RTD depends on sheath CD? Why?

6.6 What are the main measurement issues with RTD. How they are tackled in practical measurements?

6.7 What are the different RTD configurations & Where it is used?

6.8 What are the advantageous of ratio-metric method of measurements?

6.9 How to convert voltage measured across an RTD to equivalent Temperature accurately?

6.10 List RTD selection criteria to select one among the RTDs, for a particular application? What ¡s the practical significance of each of this criteria.

6.11 How to choose right sensor (TC Vs RTD) for an application?

6.12 What is the general range of RTD excitation current? What is the criteria to select the excitation current ?

6.13 Develop the software required to measure the temperature of steam in a boiler using lOOohm, 4wire, platinum RTD (confirm to DIN 43760), SCC-RTDO1 signal conditioning module and M series DAQ device. Provide visual interface to the operator. VI and all sub VIs required to be developed other than driver for DAQ device. Test the software using simulated signal. (Additional Exercise 5-10)


Measurement Using Bridge Circuits
7.1 What are the challenges in measuring resistance of strain gage indirectly using a constant current source?
7.2 Why use bridge configuration for sensors?
7.3 What are the most common bridge configurations for sensors?
7.4 What are the ¡mportant points to be considered while measuring with bridge?
7.5 How to reduce errors produced by wiring resistance for remote sensitive bridge sensor?
7.6 How to convert voltage measured across the bridge to equivalent resistance accurately?


Strain Gage Based Measurements -Assignment Questions
8.1 What are the different type of strain gages and compare them?
8.2 What are the different process variables which can be measured using strain gage and how?
8.3 What are the different strain gage measurement issues? What is the solution for each one of the issues?
8.4 What are the common bridge configurations for strain gages
8.5 How to convert voltage measured across the bridge to temperature accurately, while measuring the temperature with 3 wire RTD in quarter
bridge configurationi ?
8.6 Develop the software required to measure the strain using Half —bridge type II configuration , SCC-SGO3 signal conditioning module and M
series DAQ device. Provide visual interface to the operator. VI and all sub VIs required to be developed other than driver for DAQ device.
Test the software using simulated signal. (Additional Exercise 5-11)


DAQ System Components for a Control Loop: - Transducer
(Assignment Questions)
9.1 List important design characteristics of transducers ?
9.2 List important performance characteristics of transducers?
9.3 What are the Common online measured variables & sensors for Manufacturing ?
9.4 What are the common online measured variables & sensors for Process control ?
9.5 What is the most commonly used analog signal range to transmit the signal through wire media over a distance of 10 meters?
9.6 What are the factors to be considered to select the instrumentation signal type and levels?
9.7 What are the most common types of information that can be extracted from signal?
9.8 The information to be extracted from the signal is one of the important criteria to select DAQ system and transducer, why ? Explain


DAQ System Components for a Control Loop: - Signal Conditioner
(Assignment Questions)
10.1 What are the signal processing issues for thermocouple, RTD and SG transducer ? What is the practical solution for each issue.
10.2 What are the different analog signal conditioning functions? What is the significance of each function? How does it effect on the measurement accuracy?
10.3 Why DAQ device should have an INA at the input, if there is connecting wire from sensor to DAQ device
10.4 Analog filter is provided in a DAQ device before ADC, Why?
10.5 What is the advantage of using higher order analog filter in TC signal conditioning module?
10.6 Can we replace this analog filter used before digitization by a digital filter after digitization, If can’t why ?
10.7 What is the relation between analog filter and sampling rate, Why?
10.8 Why analog input channels are multiplexed?
10.9 What is isolation?
10.10 Why and when transducer signal to be isolated?
10.11 A 110 V dc motor current, powered from a grounded (-ve terminal) dc source is measured using a shunt and signal amplifier for controlling the motor. Examine following possibilities
o IN-Amp with shunt at +ve terminal of battery
o IN-Amp with shunt at - ve terminal of battery
o IS-Amp with shunt at - ve terminal of battery

10.12  Out of the above three methods which is the most appropriate? Why?

10.13 Out of the above three methods which one breaks ground loop?

10.14 How isolation amplifier is superior to IN-Amp?

10.15 When simultaneous sampling is required ?

10.16  How to avoid inaccuracy due to the drift in excitation source?

10,17 What are the signal condition functions required for each of the
following sensors
o Thermocouple
oRTD
o Strain gauges
o DC Shunt
o AC current transformer
10.18 Identify signal conditioning functions which can be implemented
using hardware, software and both?

10.19 What is the most commonly used of 4-20 mA transmitter type. How
they get more immunity to the noise?


 Solution (Click Here)

Analog In put Amplifiers & Configurations
(Assignment Questions)
11.1 Give examples of floating signal source and ground referenced signal source?
11.2 What are the issues with floating signal source and ground referenced signal source for accurate signal measurement using DAQ system?
11.3 Compare following configuration for accurate signal measurement with and without connecting wire length between source & load (both are grounded, any one is grounded, both are ungrounded)?
o OPAMP inverting Vs INAMP, differential configuration
o OPAMP non inverting Vs INAMP, differential configuration
o OPAMP differential Vs INAMP, differential configuration

11.4 Why DAQ device should have an INA at the input, if there is connecting wire from sensor to DAQ device

11.5 What quality of an INAMP makes it superior than an OPAMP to use as an input device of a DAQ system? How this quality is useful in DAQ system.

11.6 Differentiate between Difference Amplifiers Circuit realized with an OPAMP and an INAMP?

11.7 Draw the Classic 3-OPAmp IN-Amp Circuit, explain why gain is provided in input section rather than output section?

11.8 For IN-Amp why maximum I/P voltage and gain product is restricted?

11.9 Define CMMR & CMR of an amplifier. How much is the common mode signal gain of input section of IN-Amp? How it is obtained?

11.10 Why CMR of IN-Amp improves with increase in gain?

11.11 Why two different capacitors are provided directly at power supply pin of PGIA? How do they function?

11.12 Explain how noise rejection is obtained in the circuit which balanced signal source is connected to balanced Amp with balanced wire.
 Solution (Click Here)

Connecting Analog Input Signals
(Assignment Questions)

12.1 Why IN-Amp is preferred for signal measurement from bridge?
12.2 How much is the common mode voltage (CMV) in bridge circuit?
12.3 What are the common technologies of isolation used in isolation amplifier?
12.4 Explain how isolation amplifiers are useful to reject noise?
12.5 Where are isolation amplifier used?

 Solution (Click Here)

Analog Input Fundamentals
(Assignment Questions)
13.1 Draw analog input circuit block diagram of PCI-6221 device and explain the function of each block?
13.2  Why different analog I/P ranges are provided instead of single maximum I/P range for PCI-6221 device?
13.3 By changing I/P range in software, What are the changes occurred in hardware settings?
13.4 Explain the purpose of analog input low pass filter in NI 6221.Will it filter line cycle noise from input signal?
13.5 Differentiate between filter used in TC signal conditioning module (SCC-TCOX) & AI circuit of NI 6221? (filter used before sampling & after sampling)
13.6 Draw the input equivalent circuit from source to PGIA of NI 6221, and explain how channel switching affect the accuracy?
13.7 Draw the input equivalent circuit from source to PGIA of NI 6221, and explain how channel switching affect the accuracy?
 13.8 In multi-channel scanning, what are the aspects to be considered to ensure fast settling time?
13.9 In multi-channel scanning, what is the problem with high impedance  source?
13.10 In multi-channel scanning, what is the importance of inter connecting cable from source to analog input device?
13.11 In multi-channel scanning, what are the rules to be followed in selecting channel scanning order?
13.12 In multi-channel scanning, why to avoid scanning faster than necessary?
13.13 What are the different analog input data acquisition methods? Differentiate between them?
13.14 Differentiate between buffered and non- buffered data acquisition?
13.15 Draw AI programming flow charts and differentiate between them?

 Connecting Analog Input Signals
(Assignment Questions)
14.1 What are the different Ground-Reference Settings, While making these setting in software, What are the changes occurred in hardware settings?
14.2 How differential connection for floating signal source differ from that of ground-referenced signal source if the load is grounded?
14.3 How differential connection for floating signal source differ from that of ground-referenced signal source if the load is ungrounded?
14.4 Will differential connection for ground-referenced signal source work satisfactorily for floating signal source, Why?
14.5 What are the merits and demerits of fully balanced differential configuration of floating DC sources to floating load?
14.6 Does the same configuration of floating DC sources having low source Z (< 100 ohm) can be used for DC sources having high source Z also? Why?
14.7 Does the same configuration of floating DC sources having low source Z (< 100 ohm) can be used for AC coupled sources also? Why?

14.8 Why RSE confìguration is not preferred for ground-referenced signal source?
14.9 How differential, RSE and NRSE differ one another in amplifier connection?
14.10 What are the advantageous and disadvantageous of differential, RSE and NRSE connections?
14.11 When it is essential to use differential configuration?