British Research is a system design and implementation consultancy, that works with organisations and principal contractors who wish to implement a wide range of computerised measurement and control functions within organisations, to improve quality and reduce operational cost.
Our product range is both modular and highly cost effective. We realise that installation can be a major cause of disturbance and disruption to clients, therefore we have invested time and resources in creating integrated wireless modules that can have local touch screen interfaces and interface to wireless micro sensors (or “Smart Dust”). These modules are based upon tried and tested embedded systems which can interface seamlessly with each other’s using industry standard communications protocols, including MODBUS. PROFIBUS etc… over TCP/IP.
Proview
An Insight
One of the primary SCADA development environments we employ is Proview. This is a powerful control system development environment, with a graphical interface, that has been built to provide a modern approach to process control and is available as an open source package.
At British Research control, we have studied and worked with this software and the developers, to allow us to confidently create custom SCADA systems efficiently and cost effectively, to an extremely high standard.
Software
Proview is a well structured, distributed system, which is based around object oriented principles. It can be implemented in a number of different arrangements and fits well within the rest of the strategies we employ in our overall offering.
The mappings and relationships between the various parameters within the operational programme are created in a table form, which makes management and maintenance of the software a straightforward task.
Systems Architecture
Physical
The approach to the physical system architecture is based on the well tried and tested Multi-Layered arrangement found within most complex industrial and commercial SCADA type implementations.
This approach does not require any specific hardware manufacture, but we recommend certain types of equipment based on our experiences.
Software
Our focus is on the use of open source platforms, as we believe that transparency at all levels is of utmost importance in developing both systems and relationships.
The use of the Linux operating system provides for a high quality base, and all our systems come fully integrated. There is no need for you to purchase any separate software and worry about their inter-operability or the need for endless licences and their implications, upkeep and costs.
Design Strategies
Options
At British Research Control Systems we operate at three different support strategies, depending on the needs and capabilities of our clients:-
1. At level one, we can act as consultants to both Principals and Contractors, providing Design and Implementation advice, together with any required training.
2. At level two, we create the required systems, based upon our designs and implementation advice. We use our tried and tested hardware and implement the required algorithms and operational functionality using the Proview software. This can include everything from the Graphical User Interfaces through to the selection of appropriate sensors.
3. At level three, we work with your engineers and IT systems specialists to ensure that they can operate, maintain and even modify installed systems, increasing overall functionality and providing extra facilities such as database driven audit trails.
Types of Implementation
In addition to the standard sequential, PLC type functions, we can implement classical PID control strategies and develop application specific algorithms for niche or original applications.
We can take a variety of approaches to the solution of a control problem, including State Space or Fuzzy Logic.
Basic State - Space Plant Model
From these approaches we can work with you to produce Multi Input Multi Output solutions with practical implementation strategies designed into the project from the outset.