Jan Jakob Jessen

Automatic synthesis of robust and optimal controllers - An industrial case study

In this paper, we show how to apply recent tools for the automatic synthesis of robust and near-optimal controllers for a real industrial case study. We show how to use three different classes of models and their supporting existing tools, Uppaal-TiGA for synthesis, phaver for verification, and Simulink for simulation, in a complementary way. We believe that this case study shows that our tools have reached a level of maturity that allows us to tackle interesting and relevant industrial control problems.

Guided controller synthesis for climate controller using UPPAAL TIGA

We present a complete tool chain for automatic controller synthesis using Uppaal Tiga and Simulink. The tool chain is explored using an industrial case study for climate control in a pig stable. The problem is modeled as a game, and we use Uppaal Tiga to automatically synthesize safe strategies that are transformed for input to Simulink, which is used to run simulations on the controller and generate code that can be executed in an actual pig stable provided by industrial partner Skov A/S. The model allows for guiding the synthesis process and generate different strategies that are compared through simulations.

Application of model-checking technology to controller synthesis

In this paper we present two frameworks that have been implemented to link traditional model-checking techniques to the domain of control. The techniques are based on solving a timed game and using the resulting solution (a strategy) as a controller. The obtained discrete controller must fit within its continuous environment, which is modelled and taken care of in our frameworks. Our first technique does it by using Matlab to discretise the problem and then Uppaal-tiga to solve the obtained timed game. This is implemented as a toolbox. The second technique relies on the user defining a timed game model in Uppaal-tiga. Then the strategy is automatically imported in Simulink as an S-function for simulation and validation purposes. We demonstrate the effectiveness of these frameworks in different case-studies.

Automatic Synthesis of Robust and Optimal Controllers --- An Industrial Case Study

In this paper, we show how to apply recent tools for the automatic synthesis of robust and near-optimal controllers for a real industrial case study. We show how to use three different classes of models and their supporting existing tools, Uppaal-TiGA for synthesis, phaver for verification, and Simulink for simulation, in a complementary way. We believe that this case study shows that our tools have reached a level of maturity that allows us to tackle interesting and relevant industrial control problems.

COTS Technologies for Integrating Development Environment, Remote Monitoring and Control of Livestock Stable Climate

In this paper we present a flexible environment for development of climate control systems, especially aimed for livestock building facilities. Matlab/SimuLink as a de facto standard is used as development environment and is integrated with a remote monitoring and control system, allowing users to act as human in the loop controllers. For demonstration of technology maturity the entire system is developed using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies namely: PC architecture, Linux, Matlab/Simulink/RTW, MySql, Apache and ssh. The presented system is considered as prestudy/case for a future industrial solution.

A distributed control algorithm for internal flow management in a multi-zone climate unit

We examine a distributed control problem for internal flow management in a multi-zone climate unit. The problem consists of guaranteeing prescribed indoor climate conditions in a cascade connection of an arbitrarily large number of communicating zones, in which air masses are exchanged to redirect warm air from hot zones (which need to be cooled down) to cold zones (which need to be heated up), and to draw as much fresh air as possible to hot zones, relying on the ventilation capacity of neighbouring “collaborative” zones. The controller of each zone must be designed so as to achieve the prescribed climate condition, while fulfilling the constraints imposed by the neighbouring zones—due to their willingness to cooperate or not in the air exchange—and the conservation of flow, and despite the action of unknown disturbances. We devise control laws which yield hybrid closed-loop systems, depend on local feedback information, take on values in a finite discrete set, and cooperate with neighbour controllers to achieve different compatible control objectives, while avoiding conflicts.