Model-based computing: Developing flexible machine control software

摘要

In the conventional approach to simulating, controlling, and diagnosing a real-world physical system, engineers typically analyze the interactions of the system's components and processes, and then develop new and dedicated code for that system. Instead, building on principles from model-based reasoning and constraint programming research, we propose an integrated approach to software development we call model-based computing. We present this approach in the context of control software for modular electro-mechanical systems. Our approach is used in commercial systems and has been shown to both simplify the development of machine control software, and make the software and the controlled systems more flexible and effective.