Owing to increase in instruction sets, expansion in memory spaces, increase in processing speed, and enhancement in network functions, programmable controllers have come into wide use in automated production shops not only for direct control but also for communication and date processing such as the relaying, gathering, processing, editing, and distribution of production management information between the host computer and shops. Their use will be made easier by internationalization of network standards, high-grade software description, and conversational programming and testing with high-performance work stations.

Programmable controller (PC) MICREX-F series comprised F30, F50, and F60 series for small systems, F80H, F120H, and F200 series for small and medium systems, and F500 for medium and large systems. A new general-purpose high-ranking PC, type F250, has been developed aiming at a complete line-up. Fuji Electric is ready to meet various needs in every field with PCs for components of equipment, automated systems, plant controls, total FA, and CIM, and to provide flexible and optimum systems.

The MICREX-F series can supply a flexible and open automated system at a minimum cost using software interfaces and software design tool interfaces based on the intermediate functional control language and systematized software-oriented hardware. On these common technical bases, the high-ranking types aim at compatibility with international software and hardware and the medium- and low-ranking types aim at compactness and low cost with exclusive-use control language and hardware.

Network systems to build information-intensive and flexible systems are important means in recent distributed systems using programmable controllers.
The article introduces some of network systems for MICREX-F series: DPCS-F, F-Net (P-links and T-links), and FAIS cell network that is an internationally compatible open network.

Fuji Electric has developed a designing support system for software of controllers, ES50. It runs on general-purpose personal computers, being different from conventional programming tool exclusive for controller use. The system supports not only a general programmable controller but also various control system devices together by the user interfaces, mainly by multiwindows. This paper describes the concept, functions, and software architecture of the ES50.

With progress in development of programmable controllers, users have made various demands for the improvement of programming tools to be handled by themselves. To cope with the situation, Fuji Electric has developed a program loader LITE (Laptop Intelligent Terminal).
The LITE has been designed considering functions in all the processes from programming to test and maintenance. This paper introduces its characteristic points.

The PIO of MICREX-F series consists of T-link devices connected with processors by T-linsk and F-modules connected by buses. As for the T-links, simplified and small-sized I/O terminals have been developed as they were rated highly by users because of reduced wiring and rationalization resulting in increase in installations such as solenoid valves. As for the F-modules, enhancedfunction I/O modules and communication modules such as servo positioning and microcomputer I/O, audio output, and magneticcard interfaces have been developed and added to the series. This paper introduces these up-to-date PIOs.

Programmable controllers play an important role as key components of control systems and require advanced functions of RAS technology.
The basic ideas of RAS for MICREX-F series are (1) no failure, (2) continuing operation at an occurrence of a failure, and (3) quick failure recovery.

There have been many demands for man-machine interface (MMI) units represented by CRT displays in automated systems such as PA and FA. They can be summarized in three points: dealing with quantities of information, easy engineering, and satisfying diverse operation needs. Further, MMI units require various configurations according to the field, scale, and cost limit of systems they are applied in. This paper introduces examples of MMI stations for MICREX-F developed to meet these requirements.

CIM-oriented industries proceed with the upgrade of automation of production facilities. As they increase the use of programmable controllers in controls, the requirements of man-machine terminals have concerned display functions such as monitoring and operation guidance rather than operational functions.
Fuji Electric has put on the market a programmable operation displays (POD) developed on the basis of a new idea that design, drawing, and connection are carried out on a personal computer. This paper outlines the POD.

Fuji Electric has newly developed a high-performance, high-reliability and cheap FA personal computer. It has satisfied market needs for real-time processing only using a personal computer, resulting in many inquiries from customers in various fields. Under the circumstances, this paper introduces examples of small-scale PA/FA systems using programmable controller MICREX-F series and FA personal computers: (1) automatic-pouring furnace operation management system, (2) hydroponic system, and (3) logging system for a small garbage-disposal plant.

Control in industrial plants such as steel plants and paper mills needs high-speed response. Where particularly high-speed response is required, control equipment with special hardware configurations has been used and exclusive-use microcomputers have often been included recently. However, to meet increasing demands for higher control performance, flexible control systems suited to individual plants should be provided.
This paper describes examples of plant control using floatingpoint arithmetic and rapid operating functions of MICREX-F series.

Fuji Electric succeeded in adding a fuzzy control function to the programmable controller MICREX-F500. The function was realized as a standard function module (FM) common to the F500 series using the functional control language. The specification of the fuzzy control FM is as follows: input, 16 points; output, 4 points; premise propositions, 5; consequence propositions, 4; fuzzy rules, 128. The reasoning time not more than 50 ms features high-speed processing. The creation, updating, and testing of the fuzzy rules are executed by fuzzy support software "FRUITAX" operated on a personal computer FMR.

In recent MICREX-F series applications, demands for data transmission to remote places where no private line can be laid have increased for the purpose of remote supervisory, control, and maintenance.
This paper outlines a method of telecommunication using public switched networks through the dial modem as a system to meet the above requirements. Also it introduces an example of a remote supervisory system where this method is practically used.