An Interactive Environment for Real Time Implementation of Control Systems

Abstract An approach to efficient implementation of real time control systems is presented. A compiler for translation of control algorithms is used in combination with a general program for real time control. The compiler translates control algorithms, written in a design language, to an implementation language, and generates code for connecting the control algorithms to the user interface. The translated algorithms are then automatically incorporated in the real time control program. The resulting executable program have a number of interactive facilities such as interconnection of controllers, plotting and textual display of all variables, and data logging. The design language is chosen as Simnon, a language for simulation of nonlinear systems, and the implementation language is chosen as Modula-2. The system has been used in research and education, and has reduced the implementation time considerably, e.g. when developing new laboratory exercises, or when a control algorithm is tested in a laboratory experiment