Optimum Supervisor Computational Power for Small Scale in-Line Production Networked Control Machines

Networks play an important role in hierarchical implementation of distributed control networks. In previous studies, Gigabit Ethernet was used to build such control systems. OPNET simulations were successful for such systems from the point of view of network traffic. They also showed the need to have a higher computational power for the supervisory node relative to the normal control nodes. This was true for a supervisor monitoring more than two machines. In this study, an in depth analysis is done to specify the minimum required increase in supervisor node computational power for the system to function