{"id":115402,"date":"2021-08-01T05:03:17","date_gmt":"2021-08-01T05:03:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.controleng.com\/articles\/control-engineering-hot-topics-july-2021\/"},"modified":"2025-04-23T18:20:29","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T23:20:29","slug":"control-engineering-hot-topics-july-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.controleng.com\/control-engineering-hot-topics-july-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Control Engineering hot topics, July 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hot topics in\u00a0Control Engineering,<\/em> for July 2021, for stories posted in the last three months, included control system design, IEC 61131-3 structuring tips, scalable IIoT networks, programming standardization and more. Links to each article below.<\/p>\n

1. From simulation to computer-aided design of control systems<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Cover Story: While simulation systems can help for control system programming design, a general-purpose programming language like C# can be used: First, some basic control system theory.<\/p>\n

2. Structuring with IEC 61131-3: 7 steps to success<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The IEC 61131-3 standard includes powerful structuring tools and can help provide users an excellent way to break a control system down into manageable units for greater overall effectiveness.<\/p>\n

3. Four tips for designing scalable IIoT networks<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t get distracted by the promises of the latest so-called solutions for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Focus on these essential design principles while building a data network. Intelligent input\/output modules and other tools can add flexibility.<\/p>\n

4. Programming standardization unifies, improves operator experience<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Integrated automation suites provide control system programmers with the tools to manage standardization across multiple automation projects, creating consistent operational experiences enterprise-wide. See 10 advantages of an integrated programming suite that saved 30% programming time at one customer.<\/p>\n

5. Edge computing for industrial AIoT applications<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Artificial intelligence (AI) applications in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and edge computing provide advantages for real-time decisions and smarter actions in the field. See advice on edge computer selection and tools for building Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) applications.<\/p>\n

6. When designing HMI\/SCADA, consider many factors<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

User abilities, skill levels, future plans, needs of stakeholders, and other items should be explored. See a system integrator\u2019s advice and seven SCADA system integration\/design questions to ask.<\/p>\n

7. Control Engineering<\/em> Career and Salary Survey, 2021<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Career update: COVID-19 accelerates innovative technology implementations; engineering salaries increase; job satisfaction is high. The lack of skilled workers, economy and lack of necessary materials are biggest threats to manufacturing.<\/p>\n

8. Managing plant emissions and energy losses with the latest software applications<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Advances in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies and software analytics are empowering plant managers with valuable insights into the health and performance of critical assets. Analytics software and wireless communications are helping reduce costs, emissions and wasted production time.<\/p>\n

9. Programmable fiber created to sense, store personal data<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

MIT researchers have created the first fabric-fiber to have digital capabilities, ready to collect, store and analyze data using a neural network.<\/p>\n

10. Advice: Exploring best practices for industrial wireless<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Reasons for updating and expanding industrial wireless use are increasing. Understand how use cases can inform a corporate industrial wireless strategy.<\/p>\n

On Mondays, see the top 5 articles of the prior week.<\/p>\n

Chris Vavra<\/strong>, web content manager,\u00a0Control Engineering<\/em><\/a>, CFE Media and Technology,\u00a0cvavra@cfemedia.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Control Engineering’s most clicked articles in July 2021 included stories on control system design, IEC 61131-3 structuring tips, scalable IIoT networks, programming standardization and more. Miss something? You can catch up here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":115403,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pgc_sgb_lightbox_settings":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[104120],"tags":[],"tracking-metrics":[],"display-location":[],"class_list":{"2":"type-post"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nControl Engineering hot topics, July 2021 - Control Engineering<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.controleng.com\/control-engineering-hot-topics-july-2021\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Control Engineering hot topics, July 2021 - Control Engineering\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Control Engineering's most clicked articles in July 2021 included stories on control system design, IEC 61131-3 structuring tips, scalable IIoT networks, programming standardization and more. 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