The Separator, a Two-Phase Oil and Water Gravity CPS Separator Testbed

TL;DR

This paper introduces The Separator, a novel two-phase oil and water gravity separator testbed designed to explore the integration of communication systems and control systems in industrial settings, addressing their complex interactions.

Contribution

It presents a new cyber-physical testbed that facilitates research on combining computer communication and control system engineering for industrial applications.

Findings

Initial steps towards integrated system design

Insights into interactions between communication and control systems

Framework for future experimental research

Abstract

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) are evolving with advances in new technology. The addition of wireless sensors and actuators and new control techniques means that engineering practices from communication systems are being integrated into those used for control systems. The two are engineered in very different ways. Neither engineering approach is capable of accounting for the subtle interactions and interdependence that occur when the two are combined. This paper describes our first steps to bridge this gap, and push the boundaries of both computer communication system and control system design. We present The Separator testbed, a Cyber-Physical testbed enabling our search for a suitable way to engineer systems that combine both computer networks and control systems.