Trends in Automation - investigation in Network Control Systems and Sensor Networks

Paper deals with two significant trends in the automation and control theory of the last decade. The problems are evoked by a lack between control theory and the automation praxis in the case of Networked Control Systems (NCS) and by penetration of wireless communication used in case of Sensor Networks. Authors define serious theoretical problems in Networked Control Systems analyses in the design of digital control such as non-periodical sampling period, variable delays in control feedback, lower dependability of feedback information and some other issues. Network Calculus is proposed as a possible mathematical and description tool. The paper also mentions an ambitious research program of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft to develop new theory of the NCS synthesis.In the second part of the paper the Sensor Networks as the new phenomenon in process values measurement and data acquisition systems are described. It is the opinion of the authors, that sensor networks represent totally other look on the utilization of sensors, than represents classical measurement engineering used in data acquisition systems.