Hierarchical control architectures in industrial automation: a design approach based on the generalized actuator concept

In this paper an effective design approach to the design of hierarchical control architectures for the automation industrial plants is presented. The main characteristic of the solution is the clear and structural separation between “policies” and “actions” deriving from the use of a novel abstract entity in modelling automation plants: the Generalized Actuator. Particular attention is paid to illustrate how to define generalized actuators starting from a “bare plant”. The potentialities of this method are emphasized by means of a case study.