Reliability and safety assessment of wireless networked control systems

可靠性和安全性是工业系统的首要问题，特别是在安全关键应用中。人们不愿意采用新技术，如果有任何不确定性，它可能危及公共安全。因此，可靠性和安全性评估对于新技术在安全关键工程系统中的成功应用至关重要。无线网络控制系统（WNCS）是一种通过无线通信网络连接系统节点（传感器、控制器和执行器）的新兴技术。与传统控制系统相比，wnc有许多优点：成本更低、维护更少、部署更快、灵活性更高。然而，当将无线网络引入控制系统时，会出现许多挑战。本研究项目旨在研究WNCS的可靠性和安全性，并通过涉及通信调度和控制器设计的风险知情决策来提高其性能。这个研究项目将对加拿大的几个行业有潜在的好处。例如，与电缆相关的成本给核工业带来了沉重负担。航空航天工业需要更轻的控制器。无线网络控制可能对这些行业非常有利。在本研究中进行的可靠性和安全性评估将获得对WNCS可靠性和安全性的基本理解，并在工业应用中采用此类系统时建立信心。该研究项目还将为硕士提供培训机会。和博士生。这些研究生将在wnc的可靠性和安全性评估以及仿真和实验设计方面获得宝贵的经验。

Reliability and safety are primary concerns with industrial systems, especially in safety-critical applications. People are reluctant to adopt new technologies, if there is any uncertainty that it might endanger public safety. Therefore, reliability and safety assessment is of paramount importance for the successful application of new technologies in safety-critical engineering systems.Wireless Networked Control System (WNCS) is an emerging technology that links system nodes (sensors, controllers and actuators) through a wireless communication network. There are many advantages of WNCS over conventional control systems: lower costs, less maintenance, faster deployment, and more flexibility. However, when a wireless network is introduced into a control system, many challenges arise. This research program aims to investigate the reliability and safety of WNCS, and to improve its performance through risk-informed decision-making involving communication scheduling and controller design.This research program will have potential benefits to several industries in Canada. For example, the nuclear industry is heavily burdened by costs associated with cables. The aerospace industry desires lighter controllers. Wireless networked control could be highly advantageous for these industries. The reliability and safety assessment performed in this research will gain a fundamental understanding of reliability and safety of WNCS and build confidence, when adopting such systems in industrial applications.This research program will also provide training opportunities for M.A.Sc. and Ph.D. students. These graduate students will gain valuable experience in reliability and safety assessment, as well as simulation and experimental design of WNCS.