Top 5 Control Engineering articles, June 30 to July 6: PID, cyber security, IOT, more

Articles about tuning PID control loops, U.S. public utility and cyber security, the future of operator terminals, real-time processing automation and control fundamentals, and mobile microrobots were Control Engineering’s five most clicked articles from last week, June 30 to July 6. Were you out last week? Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra July 7, 2014

1. Tuning PID control loops for fast response

When choosing a tuning strategy for a specific control loop, it is important to match the technique to the needs of that loop and the larger process. It is also important to have more than one approach in your repertoire, and the Cohen-Coon method can be a handy addition in the right situation. 

2. U.S. public utility suffers a compromise

The unidentified utility was vulnerable to a brute-force cyber security attack, where hackers try different combinations of passwords until they find the right one. 

3. What is the future of operator terminals?

Fully integrated and highly functional operator terminals are enticing machine builders and end-user alike to migrate from more basic products. 

4. Fundamentals of real-time processing in automation and control

Almost all automation and control systems are designed, developed and built using data processors, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) or any other processing device. Part 1 of a series of articles on real-time control systems. 

5. Developments to watch: Mobile microrobots

Future robots much smaller than Lincoln’s smile on a penny may locate cancer cells, enter, and deliver anti-cancer agents, or self-assemble into a structure, providing science-fiction-like advances in medicine, manufacturing, and other industries. 

The list was developed using CFE Media’s web analytics for stories viewed on controleng.com, June 30 to July 6, for articles published within the last two months.

– Chris Vavra, content specialist, CFE Media, cvavra@cfemedia.com.


Author Bio: Chris Vavra is web content manager for CFE Media and Technology.