Analysis of control systems

Abstract

A control system representing a non-linear system may be modeled in block diagram form in a graphical environment. A linear model based on the block diagram may be generated. The linear model may then be used to design and tune the control system.

1 . A computer-readable medium configured to store instructions executable by at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to:
 provide a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with a control system, the GUI including a signal configuration input, an operating points input and a design tool input;   provide a first screen in response to selection of the signal configuration input received via the GUI, the first screen configured to allow a user to view signals associated with at least one control device in the control system and to configure settings for selected ones of the signals;   provide a second screen in response to selection of the operating points input received via the GUI, the second screen configured to allow the user to provide an operating point for the at least one control device;   provide a third screen in response to selection of the design tool input by the user, the third screen being configured to allow the user to specify performance constraints and design specifications to be used by a design tool for designing the control system; and   provide an interface configured to:
 execute a linearization of a model of the control system relative to the at least one control device and the operating point for the at least one control device, and 
 import the linearization into the design tool. 
   
   
   
       2 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , where the GUI further comprises a controller design input associated with designing the at least one control device. 
   
   
       3 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , where the design tool input is configured to allow the user to tune the at least one control device using the design tool. 
   
   
       4 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 3 , where the instructions further cause the at least one processor to:
 map at least some performance constraints and design specifications into the design tool.   
   
   
       5 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , where the GUI further includes a closed loop response input, and where the instructions further cause the at least one processor to:
 provide a fourth screen in response to selection of the closed loop response input by the user, the fourth screen being configured to allow the user to view a response of the control system based on the settings of the signals.   
   
   
       6 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , where the GUI further comprises an update model input, and wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor to:
 update a block diagram model of the control system in response to selection of the update model input.   
   
   
       7 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 6 , where the instructions for updating a block diagram model comprise instructions for allowing the user to update at least one operating point in the block diagram model of the control system. 
   
   
       8 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 7 , where the instructions for updating a block diagram model comprise instructions for allowing the user to create a control variable for the control system. 
   
   
       9 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , further comprising instructions for causing the at least one processor to:
 allow a user to identify parts of the model of the control system that are to be linearized.   
   
   
       10 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 9 , further comprising instructions for causing the at least one processor to:
 linearize at least portions of the model based on the identified parts.   
   
   
       11 . A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 displaying a block diagram model of a control system;   receiving input, from a user, identifying a portion of the control system;   receiving input, from the user, selecting closed loop signals associated with the identified portion of the control system;   receiving input, from the user, identifying performance constraints and design specifications for the control system;   generating a linearized model of the identified portion of the control system based on the block diagram model and the closed loop signals;   importing the linearized model into a design tool;   mapping, by the design tool, a response of the control system using the linearized model; and   providing a graphical view of the mapped response of the control system.   
   
   
       12 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 determining a performance level of the control system based on the mapped response and the design specifications.   
   
   
       13 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 updating the block diagram model based on the performance level.   
   
   
       14 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 receiving, from the user, information specifying an equilibrium condition for the control system.   
   
   
       15 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 performing a trim analysis to generate a set of operating points for the control system that satisfy the equilibrium condition.   
   
   
       16 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 providing, a graphical user interface (GUI) to the user, the GUI including at least one screen configured to allow the user to modify the performance constraints and design specifications for the control system and to tune the control system.   
   
   
       17 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 16 , wherein the GUI further includes a screen configured to allow the user to input operating points for elements of the control system. 
   
   
       18 . A system, comprising:
 means for displaying a block diagram representing a control system;   means for allowing a user to identify at least a portion of the control system;   means for allowing the user to identify closed loop signals and set operating points for at least one element of the control system;   means for allowing the user to specify at least one of a performance constraint or a design specification for the at least one element of the control system;   means for generating a linearized model of the identified portion of the control system;   means for importing the linearized model into a design tool;   means for mapping, by the design tool, the at least one of the performance constraint or the design specification to at least one design criterion associated with the control system; and   means for tuning the control system based on the mapping.   
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 means for determining a performance level of the control system based on the mapping.   
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18 , where the means for mapping comprise means for generating a response plot comprising at least one of a step plot, impulse plot, Bode plot, Nyquist plot, Nichols plot, singular value plot or pole zero plot. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20 , where the response plot includes information associated with the performance constraint and the design specification.