UDP/IP based distributed control for a hydraulic valve

The hardware and software development of a remotely controlled hydraulic valve assembly is described. The valve becomes a dedicated server in a distributed control environment. The communication system is an Ethernet network supporting the UDP/IP communications protocol. A client/server application model is developed that allows a client to specify a desired control position for a valve spool. The solution is being proposed as an alternative to a formal fieldbus solution, where precision real‐time operation is not required. The performance of the valve is measured under different configurations considering both open loop and closed loop models. The justification for selecting the UDP/IP protocol is stated. The resulting hydraulic valve control system is efficient, accurate and flexible.