A design strategy for obtaining reliable controllers for critical mechanical systems. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kunz, Guilherme; Perondi, Eduardo; Machado, José
• Is Part Of: Mechatronics. Volume 54(2018)
• Page Start: 186
• Page End: 202
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Reliable controllers -- Timed automata -- Simulation -- Formal verification -- Conformance testing -- Automated people movers -- Automatic train control; Computer integrated manufacturing systems -- Periodicals; Flexible manufacturing systems -- Periodicals; Mechatronics -- Periodicals; Productique -- Périodiques; Fabrication, Systèmes flexibles de -- Périodiques; Mécatronique -- Périodiques; Computer integrated manufacturing systems; Flexible manufacturing systems; Mechatronics; Periodicals; 629.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mechatronics.2018.01.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-4158

Abstract

Abstract: The development of reliable controllers can be a complex task, mainly because there is no well-established systematic methodology developed specifically for this purpose, considering all range, from requirements analysis till code implementation in real controller and considering real-time implementation issues. This paper introduces a design strategy as a proposal for obtaining reliable controllers for critical mechanical systems, which is based on the integrated application of four analysis techniques usually used in dependable systems development: modeling, simulation, formal verification and conformance testing. The paper demonstrates, by means of a case study, that the adequate integrated implementation of such techniques results in a systematic concurrent approach for the development of reliable automatic control systems. The case study consists of a detailed application of the proposed approach in the synthesis of the automatic train control (ATC) system of an automated people mover (APM) operating in accordance within the concept of communication-based systems (CBTC - Communication-Based Train Control). This case study is used to illustrate the method, presenting and discussing the steps necessary to implement the proposed design strategy in the development of a typical piece of control software for critical mechanical systems.