The methodology calls for an inventory of the students’ competencies as they relate to “interfacing”. Their personal leanings would also be assessed so that the CE-150 could be tailored to become responsive.

2100 Brainstorm Possible Projects
        (the SCADA will be able to implement most of the possible projects)
2200 Field Orientations
        (the number of visits dependent upon available time)
2300 Refine Scope of Projects
2400 The "local" and the "integrated" SCADA

This approach effectively “closes” the feedback loop.

2100 Brainstorm Possible Projects - (the SCADA will be able to implement most of the possible projects)

 
The learning process will start with the question, “what do I want to learn”. This translates into projects where learnings could take place. The projects are, then, chosen to optimize the learning process, and within the framework of the requirements of the course.

CE-150 will implement these projects according to the SCADA framework because of the SCADA’s openness to a multitude of technical issues. The projects will be screened in the following manner:

2110 Force-Rank Doable Projects

2120 Reconfirm Group and Individual Leanings
 

 
If time permits, it would be a good idea to spend time in various technical installations. This would give the students an immediate feel and experience of how “interfacing” is implemented in the work-place. For example,

2210 The Yokogawa Service Center

 
This site possesses the ability to connect with the Service Center in Japan via satellite for the diagnosis of states and malfunctions of their Distributed Control Systems.

2220 Distributed Control Systems (DCS) Installations

There are several DCS installations within the Metro Manila area. Yokogawa and Bailey DCS’s have command of this market.

2230 SCADA of the National Power Corporation

 
This SCADA has access to all the facilities (power plants, substations, and transmission systems) of the National Power Corporation in Luzon. It is able to monitor all technical parameters on the grid and control the load of the operating power plants. There are plans of a national SCADA system, which will monitor and control the Philippine power system. It is also equipped with “sequence of events recorders” which have a resolution of 1 millisecond. The communication backbone is a “redundant” microwave system, backed up with relayed UHF frequencies.

The ultimate objective of the SCADA is “least-cost” electric generation for the country.
 

2240 SCADA of MERALCO

 
While the Meralco SCADA also monitors all the technical parameters on its system, it is a little less sophisticated because its control function is limited to the closing and openning of “breakers” - mainly a switching function.

A final review of the projects would be made after the visits. The participants of the course would perform the following:

2310 Review Item 2.3 in the Light of New Insights

2320 Finalize one or two projects that are big enough.

2330 Split them up into smaller, self-contained, projects that could be done by individuals.
 

 
The SCADA application has been tentatively chosen to become the framework for the projects, because it lends itself to the integration of all the skills related to computer interfacing, data communication, and equipment control.

Two approaches are planned to be undertaken, namely,

2410 The “local” SCADA, where a PC monitors and controls one or more external functions. Emphasis at this point would be “parallel” data communication.

2420 The “integrated” SCADA, where PCs in one or more locations monitor and control processes in one or more remote locations. This approach builds upon the gains of the “local” SCADA. Emphasis would be in “serial” data communication.

The “local” SCADA is the output of the first part of the course; while the “integrated” SCADA would be the output of the latter part of the course.

2430 At the end of the exercises, CE-150 will have developed a system of
 

• gathering data,
• manipulating the data to develop a specific set of information,
• comparing current set of information relative to the state and function of the equipment and process, and
• sending out control commands to bring the process back to preset standards.

This approach effectively “closes” the feedback loop.