A hierarchical graphics interface for control system programming

Abstract

There are many control system analysis and design software packages which are currently commercially available. While a large number of these use graphics for the presentation of data, i.e., the results of the simulation and/or computer analysis, to an analyst, the input of the model structure is normally handled through a text definition with strict syntax rules. A graphics interface will be presented for a control system programming language which allows the analyst or designer to input, in an interactive manner, a control system as a graphical block diagram. The interface permits a hierarchical structure to be defined for the control system thereby providing a useful framework for large complex system control problems. Further, the interface provides a standard form to interact with a variety of software analysis systems. The graphics interface is implemented with Pascal as the base language and ACM CORE Standard routines for all graphics interactions on an IBM XT.