Industrial Computing

Instance: 2021/2022 - 1S

Cycles of Study/Courses

Teaching language

Objectives

This course is specially made for students who are finishing their Integrated Masters in Mechanical Engineering (Automation).
At the end of this course, students should be acquainted with technical and scientific concepts that are essential for studying this area of engineering (computer systems integration for industrial automation- specially focused on the control and supervision of continuous and discrete processes, either centralized or distributed).
Moreover, students should be able to specify functional conditions and develop computer solutions for automation use.
This course aims to give an overview on how to use and integrate computers (in their multiple forms) in industrial automation.

Learning outcomes and competences

provide a scientific basis and technical support for the implementation and integration of computer systems (in its many forms) in the area of industrial automation

• control and monitoring of processes continuous and discrete, both centralized and distributed

• specify functional requirements and designing parts of computer automation solutions

Working method

Program

- Digital systems supplements: specification methods, project, simplification and materialization of asynchronous and synchronous circuits;
- Computing technologies associated with flexible and programmable automation systems. Programmable logic controllers: discrete systems, specification of a discrete systems behaviour, PLCs architectures, methodologies for PLCs programming, description and programming of typical PLCs peripherals;
- Computers and operating systems: computer as a controlling element, embedded systems, software and hardware architecture for data acquisition systems; virtual instrumentation, implementation of control algorithms, notion of operating system, resources management, interfaces of operating systems and applications, operating systems for industrial applications;
- Distributed systems: communication between computers, communication point to point, computer networks;
- Integration of computing systems and applications: “loop” controllers, SCADA systems, telemetry and telecontrol, industrial networks, intelligent sensors and actuators.

Mandatory literature

Complementary Bibliography

Teaching methods and learning activities

This course is divided into practical and theoretical classes. Theoretical classes will be based on the exposition of courses’ themes with the support of transparencies, yet examples will be shown.
Practical classes will be based on solving problems, experiments, as well as analysing specific situations. As a result, students will have a contextualized contact with the themes that have been taught. They will be confronted with problems that they should be able to solve and attest. Students are required to analize some case studies and discuss those among them and with the teacher.

Evaluation Type

Assessment Components

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Eligibility for exams

According to General Evaluation Rules of FEUP

Calculation formula of final grade

Formula of Final Mark calculation is as follows:

according to this rule:
Final test/exam (2 hours- use of books or notes is not allowed) - 100% of the Final Mark

except in this case:

1) Voluntary practical works (2 maximum) developed by
the student will worth up to 40% of the final grade.
The remainder will result from the classification of the
final test/exam, which always requires a minimum grade
of 9.0 values.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students who granted a special status will have to attend a written exam (75% of the Final Mark) and they must achieve a minimum grade of 9 out of 20 to complete the course. They will also have to attend an oral exam test (25% of the Final Mark).

Classification improvement

Students can improve their grades on the exam according to FEUP rules.