Hardware and software architecture for embedded distributed control system using adaptive hybrid communication channel

Abstract

The paper addresses the design and development of an embedded distributed control system using heterogeneous communication channel. This design provides the fail proof communication using two completely different communication channels, viz; wired communication using RS 485 and wireless communication using Xbee. The system consists of a master unit and multiple slave units. The control of system lies with the master, which decides the type and time duration of the protocol to be used. Appropriate switching algorithm has been applied for auto-switching between communication protocols to achieve continuous transmission of data between master and slaves. Hardware and software architecture for the proposed system is developed using the ARM processors and the Visual Basic (VB) software for proper query response and controlling actions respectively.