According to the change of market needs, information and control systems greatly improve towards open systems, downsizing and cost reduction held us as keywords. Interfacing computers, controllers, and field equipment according to the unified way of thinking, Fuji Electric has developed the "advanced information and control system" with scalability and flexibility to meet user requirements flexibly. This paper introduces trends of information and control systems, components, such as human communication interfaces, local area networks, and controllers and their engineering, as well as Fuji Electric's activities.

The MICREX-AX, taking over the property and know-how for plant control of the existing system MICREX-IX is based on new architecture integrating information systems. This system, of which basic concept is "open, flexible, and advanced," aims to meet sophisticated, individualized, diversified system requirements flexibly. This paper introduces the development concept of the system and an outline of the system configuration and functions.

The advanced controller ACS-3000, developed on the same architecture as the existing MICREC series DCS, has added the following features: (1) multiprocessor communication with embedded computing processor, (2) high-speed computer connection with open FDDI (fiber distributed data interface) based LAN (local area network), (3) data handling system by data names and physical values, (4) engineering system supporting the above; it minimizes engineering cost to develop optimized control systems. This paper introduces its architecture and basic technologies for these features.

Fuji Electric has developed the multimedia human interface "Scene-based Interface" for the human interface of advanced operator workstations for supervisory control systems. In the "Scene-based Interface," multimedia data such as pictures, voices, and process data can be integrated and used, and it is expected to reduce operator's work load and perform more precise supervisory control. This paper outlines the function of the advanced operator workstation and introduces the function, system, and merits of the "Scene-based Interface"

In the world of process control systems, communications are more and more increasing in capacity and speed, and open communications capable of connection with various equipment with good performance relative to its price become indispensable. Fuji Electric, integrating the former LAN's, has developed the advanced high-speed, integrated, optical LAN "ANS-3000" with a capacity of 100 Mbps which meets the next generation requirements above. This paper introduces the development concept and merits of the ANS-3000

The optical fieldbus system uses IEC optical fiedbus standard (approved as International Standard in November, 1995) for its physical layer and uses Fieldbus Association specification for upper layers above the data link like an electrical fieldbus. In addition to merites of the electrical fieldbus, the optical one has the advantage of noise immunity, intrinsic safety, and self-inclusiveness. To ensure coordination with the electrical fieldbus, key components including a reflective optical star coupler are under development. This paper introduces the characteristics and components of the new fieldbus system.

As control systems became sophisticated and complicated, the contents of engineering have rapidly become large-scale and complicated, and the importance of the engineering support environment has intensified. Many attempts to improve the efficiency of engineering work have been made with fair results; however, more improvement in efficiency and product quality is desired. This paper roughly reviews the present status and problems of the engineering support environment and describes Fuji Electric's engineering support systems and their future prospects.

Artifical-intelligence and advanced control technologies are indispensable to the efficient and stable operation of processes. Fuji Electric has continued to tackle these technologies and supplied many application systems. These technologies are provided in the application systems in the form of software packages. This paper introduces the outline, functions, and merits of the newly developed software packages: "Intelligent alarm system," "neuro-control system" and "generalized predictive control system."

The "FOCUS" developed according to the concept, right sizing and right selection, is a small-range, distributed control system using a personal computer for the operator station. It structures an optimum system with various software and personal computer peripheral hardware combined. Graphic pictures can easily be drawn with the man-machine interface software package. Using the controllers common to the MICREX-IX Series, the same high-level control functions can be put to good use. The operator station and controllers are connected by Ethernet.

Water and sewage works are charged with an important mission as a lifeline to support modern life. Therefore, water and sewage disposal facilities are demanded to fulfill high-level maintenance. Under the circumstances, Fuji Electric offers an advanced information and control system that integrates operation management information for safe, accurate operation and maintenance management information for high-level maintenance. This paper outlines the configuration, distributed functions, and components of the system.

In recent sewerage, its spread has created a demand for new plans derived from sewerage such as recycling water from sewage disposal, sewage sludge and sewage heat, and laying optical fiber cables for administration use. Particularly the optical fiber network in sewers are expected to be widely used in communication systems in the high information society, and preparations for the legal environment such as the amendments of the Sewerage Act and the Telecommunication Enterprises Act are being pushed forward. This paper describes the administrative, optical fiber communication network on the way to wide use.