A model-based approach to the development of distributed control systems (original) (raw)

A Model Based Design of Distributed Control System Software

1983

In this paper we suggest a formal mode l for specifying control system behaviour with special attention to timing and general software structure. The model gives an implementation independent description of the problem. Several timing and structural properties can be proved using the model, it can also be useful for comparing alternative designs. A trivial example demonstrates the use of the model. The paper ends with discussion of related papers and some future problems.

MODEL DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT OF FUNCTION BLOCK BASED DISTRIBUTED CONTROL APPLICATIONS

In this paper, an approach for the model driven development of distributed control systems is presented. The proposed approach adopts the IEC61499 Function Block construct for the design phase and supports many different implementation platforms. Specific model-to-model transformers have been developed to automate the transformation of FB design models to CORBA component model (CCM) executable code. GME, a meta modelling tool, and CIAO, a QoS-aware CCM implementation, were utilized to develop Archimedes, an IEC-compliant prototype Engineering Support System. Archimedes demonstrates the applicability of the proposed approach and greatly simplifies the development process of distributed control applications.

A tool supported engineering process for developing control applications

Computers in industry, 2006

Engineers in industrial and control sector continuously face problems on developing modern distributed industrial control applications. The latest standard in this domain, the IEC61499, defines a methodology to be used by system designers to construct distributed industrial control applications. New generation Engineering Support Systems (ESSs) are required to support the whole development process. In this paper, a process that introduces new and enhances already defined phases of the IEC61499 development process is presented. Model Driven Development has been adopted and two meta-models have been defined: a Unified Modelling Language (UML) based one that is used in the analysis phase and an IEC61499 based for the design phase. A set of transformation rules, formally defined by means of UML's Object Constraint Language, is defined to ameliorate the transformation process between the two metamodels. The proposed development process is supported by a prototype ESS, namely CORFU ESS, which is used to present a case study. #

A model-driven approach to embedded control system implementation

2007

The work presented here is on setting up methodological support, including (prototype) tools, for the design of distributed hard real-time embedded control software for mechatronic products. The use of parallel hardware (CPUs, FPGAs) and parallel software is investigated, to exploit the inherent parallel nature of embedded systems and their control. Two core models of computation are used to describe the behavior of the total mechatronic system (plant, control, software and I/O): discrete event system (DES) and continuous time system (CTS). These models of computation are coupled via co-simulation, to be able to do consistency checking at the boundaries. This allows for integration of discipline-specific parts on the model level (during design phases) instead of on the code level (during realization and test phases). Crossview design-change influences get specific attention, to allow for relaxation of the tension between several dependability issues (like reliability and robustness), while keeping design time (and thus design costs) under control. Furthermore, the design work can be done as a stepwise refinement process. This yields a shorter design time, and a better quality product. The method is illustrated with a case using the tools being prototyped.

Towards an engineering tool for implementing reusable distributed control systems

ACM SIGSOFT Software Engineering Notes, 2003

The IEC model for distributed control systems (DCSs) was adopted for the implementation of a new generation engineering tool. However, it was found that this approach does not exploit all the benefits of the object and component technologies. In this paper, we present the enhanced 4-layer architecture that proved to be very helpful in the identification of the key abstractions required for the design of the new generation of function block based engineering tools. Despite being IEC-compliant, the proposed approach introduces a number of extensions and modifications to the IEC-model to improve the development process. The Unified Modelling Language is exploited during the requirements phase of DCSs, but the use of the FB construct is confected during the design phase.

Model-driven engineering of industrial process control applications

2010

Abstract Software is an important part of industrial process control systems. However, the state-of-the-practice for developing industrial process control software still has several key challenges that need to be addressed (eg, migration to platforms of different vendors, lack of automation). This paper introduces a model-driven engineering approach to the development of industrial process control software, which is based on the ProcGraph domain-specific modeling language.

A UML based engineering support system for the development of distributed control applications

2002

Abstract Modern manufacturing plants are forced from the growing need for cutting-edge products. They demand the ability to quickly respond to market requirements by designing competitive products and modifying existing ones. To address these requirements, the evolving standards IEC61499 and IEC61804 have defined a methodology and have applied modelling techniques of Software Engineering to the design of distributed Industrial Process Measurement and Control Systems (IPMCSs).

Formal Modelling of Industrial Distributed Control Systems

IFAC Proceedings Volumes, 2005

Industrial Process Measurement and Control Systems (IPMCS) are used in most of the industrial sectors to achieve production improvement, process optimisation and time and cost reduction. Integration, reuse, flexibility and optimisation are demanded to adapt to a rapidly changing and competitive market. There is also a growing requirement that all software tools that support the different phases of the development process (design, configuration, management) can be integrated as well. Thus, a consolidation of modelling methodologies for achieving this goal is needed. This paper presents a formal modelling for IPMCS that captures all aspects of the system to design in terms of functionality and implementation (hardware and software). The modelling language (eXtensible Markup Language, XML) allow to implement model validation as well as to easily transform information coming from / going to different software tools, achieving tool integration.

AN OBJECT ORIENTED FRAMEWORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRIBUTED CONTROL APPLICATIONS

ABSTRACT Software industry increasingly faces today the challenge of creating complex custom-made Industrial Process Measurement and Control System (IPMCS) applications within time and budget, while high competition forces prices down. A lot of proprietary solutions address the engineering process, and evolving standards exploit the function block construct as the main building block for the development of IPMCSs.

Unicos a Framework to Buil D Industry Like Control Systems: Principles & Methodology

2005

UNICOS is a CERN framework developed to produce control applications for three-layer industrial control systems (Fig. 1). UNICOS provides developers with means to develop full control applications and operators with ways to interact with all items of the process from the most simple (e.g. I/O channels) to the high level compounded objects (e.g. a sub part of the plant). In addition UNICOS offers tools to diagnose the process and the control system. UNICOS proposes a method to design and develop the control applications. This method is based on the modelling of the process in a hierarchy of objects (I/Os, actual devices and more abstract control objects). These objects are used as a common language by process engineers and programmers to define the functional analysis of the process. In addition to the method, tools have been produced to automate the instantiation of the objects in the supervision and process control layers and generate skeletons of the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programs. The control code production associated to this methodology is generally data-driven and for some projects a model driven software production has been implemented.