Virtual transmitter for bioreactor automation system
The present set of embodiments relate to an environmental condition monitoring and control system employing a software based virtual transmitter for a bioreactor or mixer. The system includes a probe for measuring a condition in a bioreactor that can generate a signal. Measured conditions may include pH, DO, temperature, and pressure. The signal can travel to an electronic card capable of converting the signal from analog to digital and the card can then send the converted signal to a digital controller. The condition monitoring and control system eliminates hardware redundancies and increases versatility by then displaying the converted signal in a software-based virtual transmitter on a non-dedicated human machine interface.
1. A control system comprising:
a bioreactor;
a sensor inserted into the bioreactor for generating an analog signal relating to an environmental condition within the bioreactor;
a cable for transmitting the analog signal from the sensor;
an electronic card for receiving the analog signal from the cable, wherein the electronic card converts the analog signal into a digital signal;
a non-dedicated human machine interface comprising a user input and information display device; and
a controller including a memory, a processor and non-transitory computer-readable medium, the medium comprising instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to receive the digital signal from the electronic card and to generate an output signal to cause the non-dedicated human machine interface to replicate a virtual transmitter associated with the sensor that substantially replicates a display, a menu-tree and a response of a physical sensor transmitter.
2. The control system of claim 1 wherein the sensor includes a transducer.
3. The control system of claim 1 wherein the sensor includes optical elements.
4. The control system of claim 1 wherein the virtual transmitter includes a digital image that mimics the display of a physical transmitter.
5. The control system of claim 1 wherein the virtual transmitter includes a digital image of a command set of a physical transmitter.
6. The control system of claim 1 wherein the virtual transmitter includes a simulated digital keyboard.
7. The control system of claim 1 wherein the cable is a fiber optic cable.
8. The control system of claim 1 wherein the cable is an electronic cable.
9. The control system of claim 1 wherein the cable carries information about the sensor including identification, diagnostics, and calibration data.
10. The control system of claim 1 further comprising a second cable providing an electrical connection between the electronic card and the controller, wherein the digital signal moves from the electronic card to the controller through the second cable.