DISTRIBUTED COMPUTER NETWORK FOR PROCESS CONTROL AND RESEARCH APPLICATIONS.

A distributed computer network of micro-, and maxi-computers is a natural solution to the data acquisition and control requirements of industrial process control and/or research applications. It is increasingly, the most cost effective approach; facilitates modular implementation and updating of a wide variety of functions; provides the local autonomy desired for geographic, 'political' or technical reasons; and supports the integration and services required to meet global requirements such as management information systems, application development, and systems management. A discussion is presented of some of the general characteristics of distributed computer systems and illustrates them by specific reference to the hardware and software systems used in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Alberta, Canada.