Abstract: An integrated monitoring, control and shut-down (IMCS) system for monitoring and controlling the operation of a machinery is provided. The IMCS system includes: input ports for receiving sensor signals indicative of conditions of the machinery, output ports for outputting control signals to actuators of the machinery, signal conversion means coupled to the input and output ports, for converting the input sensor signals into data samples and for converting control data into control signals. The IMCS system also includes a data processor for controlling the signal conversion means, for processing the data samples into calculated values, for sending selected calculated values to be stored into a memory and for calculating control data. A communication bus couples the hardware elements of the IMCS system.