Simulation Variable Reuse in Control Program Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing controller support devices cannot reuse input and output variables during simulation of control programs, requiring users to re-enter variables when re-executing simulations with altered control programs.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device with a simulation execution module that allows acquiring and modifying variable values and identification information during simulation, enabling the reuse of variables in re-executed control programs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the controller support device simulates a control program and saves restart data, then the simulation can be re-executed from a specific control cycle, but the user cannot reuse variable values from previous simulations when re-executing with an altered control program
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by acquiring and storing variable values and their identification information during the initial simulation execution. When the control program is re-executed (even with alterations), the system retrieves these previously acquired variable values using the stored identification information, eliminating the need for users to re-enter variables manually.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the variable values acquired during the first simulation execution. Instead of requiring users to re-input variables, the system copies the original variable values and reuses them in the re-executed simulation by matching variables through their identification information (variable names), thus preserving simulation setup effort.
2Ease of operation
If the system stores all variable values for reuse, then re-execution becomes convenient, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential elements needed for variable reuse: the variable values and their corresponding identification information (variable names). By extracting and storing only these critical components rather than managing complete variable contexts or metadata, the system achieves variable reuse functionality with minimal additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter storage approach by storing variable values paired with their identification information in a simple structure. This parameter organization allows the system to retrieve and apply variable values during re-execution without requiring complex variable management mechanisms, thus maintaining device simplicity while enabling ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A PC, which is an information processing device, simulates a control program and displays the result of the simulation on a monitor. The PC acquires a value, and identification information identifying a variable for at least one variable at an arbitrary time during the simulation. The PC modifies the control program in accordance with an instruction from a user. The PC simulates the modified control program with the value of the variable identified by the acquired identification information as the value of the acquired variable. The PC displays the result of simulating the modified control program on the monitor.