If hydraulic valves receive their own electronic control onboard and thus their own intelligence, they can work completely independently and also offer numerous additional functions. The electronic control units take information from sensors and operating units, calculate certain actions with the help of software and forward data to the actuators and display units. Decentralized control and monitoring relieves the main control and the Bus system of the machine. The data are monitored and processed in the decentralized electronic unit. Only the most important information is passed on to the main control unit, which reduces data exchange to a minimum and significantly reduces the risk of system overload.
The CAN-BUS is often used for networking in mobile machines. In stationary applications in industrial environments, Industrial Ethernet protocols such as Profinet or EtherCAT are more common. In general, onboard electronics are used for the automation of machines with the focus on improving functionality, increasing efficiency and enhancing safety. On-board electronics includes electronic controllers, sensors, actuators and operating and display units together with their networking in mobile machines. A decentralized control architecture offers further advantages, such as reduced cabling.
