Non-Intrusive Simulation of Microcomputer Controller and Plant Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for developing microcomputer-based systems are intrusive, leading to unwanted changes and errors due to the insertion of breakpoints in controller programs and the inability to halt mechanical plants seamlessly, resulting in additional debugging and fine-tuning requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that simulate both controller and plant models, allowing for the suspension of their execution through a user interface without altering parameters, enabling non-intrusive monitoring and display of parameters, and allowing for trigger events to suspend or access model parameters without disrupting the simulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If breakpoints are inserted in the controller program for debugging, then the ability to examine system parameters is improved, but the controller program is altered causing unwanted changes in system operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simulation model that copies the behavior of the actual microcomputer-based system. This simulation model can be examined and debugged without altering the original controller program, thus maintaining system operation stability while enabling parameter examination through the simulated environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation model acts as an intermediary between the developer and the actual system. It allows examination of controller parameters and plant responses without directly interfacing with and potentially altering the real controller program, thereby preventing unwanted changes in system operation.
2Measurement precision
If the controller execution is halted for debugging, then parameter examination is enabled, but the plant cannot be halted and continues in a different position causing operational errors
Solution Approach 1:
The simulation model replicates both the controller and plant behavior in a virtual environment. When debugging, the entire simulated system can be halted together, maintaining the relationship between controller state and plant state, thus avoiding operational errors that would occur if only the controller were halted.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation model allows all system parameters and plant positions to be prepared and frozen in their current state before examination. This preliminary freezing of the complete system state enables accurate parameter examination without the plant continuing to move and create discrepancies.
3Device complexity
If breakpoints are removed after debugging, then the controller program is simplified, but additional debugging and fine-tuning is required due to unexpected changes
Solution Approach 1:
By working with a simulation model copy rather than the original controller program, all debugging and modification activities can be performed on the simulation without affecting the actual controller. This eliminates the need to repeatedly insert and remove breakpoints from the original program, reducing both programming complexity and total debugging time.
Solution Approach 2:
All debugging, fine-tuning, and parameter examination activities are performed preliminarily on the simulation model before deployment to the actual system. This preliminary work on the copy ensures the controller program is fully optimized before final implementation, eliminating the need for post-deployment debugging and fine-tuning.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for developing microcomputer-based systems. A controller model having at least one parameter is simulated and, similarly, a plant model having at least one parameter and controlled by the controller model is simulated. A user interface then has access to the parameters of the controller model and plant model and optionally suspends the execution of the controller model and plant model in response to a trigger event. The user interface determines the status of the controller model parameters and/or plant model parameters at the time of the trigger without altering the controller model parameters or plant model parameters or the program code of the controller model.