EP0364189A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System design tool and method
Assignee: BAE Systems Marine Ltd
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Filing: 1989-10-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A system design tool and a method for use in system design, by which the behaviour of a complex interactive system can be simulated. The system is represented as a number of interconnected "processes" (e.g. 7,8,14) and each process is provided with an algorithm to model its function and its interconnections (1,2). The processes may be arranged in a layered hierarchical structure (4,6,9) and each process can have functions such as supplying data from a sensor, relaying data or processing data. The algorithms are combined into an overall model of the system, and the system model is supplied with data on initial conditions of the system. The system model (for example, a computer program) is then executed using the data on initial conditions so as to perform a simulation of the system, with additional data being supplied during execution to simulate changes in external conditions affecting the system. The progress of the simulation can be monitored on a display which shows a logic diagram representing at least part of the system, with symbols representing individual processes which change colour, or change in some other way, to show whether the respective process is inactive, transmitting data, processing data or the like. This allows potential bottlenecks or other problem areas in the system to be identified. The system design tool and method can be applied to a wide range of interactive systems, such as transport systems, telecommunications networks, chemical plant and so forth.
Inventors
- 👤 Terence Michael Johnston
- 👤 Marcus Ronald Williams
- 👤 Andrew Wilkins
- 👤 Mark Gerald Walker
- 👤 Martin Hoggard
- 👤 David Richard Lovell
- 👤 Neil Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 07:45
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/20; G06F30/00; G06F30/20; G06F30/10; G06F30/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A system design tool, comprising: simulating means operable to simulate mathematically a complex interactive system, by representing said system as a plurality of interconnected processes, each process being defined by an algorithm which takes into account its basic function(s) and its interconnections with other components, and by carrying out computations to perform all the algorithms in a predetermined combined manner so as to effect a simulation; data input means operable to feed data to the simulating means before and during said computations to provide information on initial conditions and changes in conditions affecting said system; and data output means operable during said computations to supply results of said computations to a display, in the form of at least one logic diagram with symbols representing the processes and interconnections, the symbols being dynamically changed in appearance to indicate the progress and results of the simulation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
144 words
A system design tool, comprising: simulating means operable to simulate mathematically a complex interactive system, by representing said system as a plurality of interconnected processes, each process being defined by an algorithm which takes into account its basic function(s) and its interconnections with other components, and by carrying out computations to perform all the algorithms in a predetermined combined manner so as to effect a simulation; data input means operable to feed data to the simulating means before and during said computations to provide information on initial conditions and changes in conditions affecting said system; and data output means operable during said computations to supply results of said computations to a display, in the form of at least one logic diagram with symbols representing the processes and interconnections, the symbols being dynamically changed in appearance to indicate the progress and results of the simulation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system design tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein a said algorithm defines mathematically the complete function of its respective process, including functions of input, output and/or storage of data and any function of processing data, and defines all the interconnections of the process with other processes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system design tool as claimed in claim 2, wherein a said algorithm also defines the interrogation of another process by its respective process.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
A system design tool as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said processes are arranged in a layered structure, in which processes of one layer are expressed in a more detailed form as pluralities of processes of a lower layer, and wherein said data output means is operable to supply for display a different said logic diagram for each layer, the logic diagram to be displayed being selectable so that the progress and results of the simulation can be monitored at a desired level of detail.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
A system design tool as claimed in claim 4, wherein said simulating means comprises means for grouping processes on a given layer into one or more groups, and wherein the simulating means is operable to perform the algorithms of processes in a group independently of, and in parallel with, processes of another group for simulating a parallel processing configuration of the system; said grouping means being operable to select alternative groupings in a preprogrammed or random manner so as to simulate the effects of different parallel processing configurations.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
72 words
A system design tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said simulating means is operable to combine all the algorithms into a single computer program independent of initial conditions, and wherein said data input means is operable to supply said information on initial conditions of the system to said simulating means after said single computer program has been formed, whereby different scenarios of operation of the system may be readily simulated.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
52 words
A system design tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said information on changes in conditions affecting said system, provided by said data input means, includes random changes and/or events, and/or results of human intervention in a given process, said information being provided before and/or during the course of said simulation.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
54 words
A system design tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said simulating means includes means for simulating the effect of damage upon a process and/or interconnection by varying the operation of an algorithm according to a statistical function and/or by effective removal of the algorithm representing that process and/or interconnection from the program.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
43 words
A system design tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said data output means is arranged to supply results of said computations to said display in a free-running time mode, whereby the symbols of the displayed logic diagram are continuously dynamically changed.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
57 words
A system design tool as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said data output means is arranged to supply results of said computations to said display at a series of time intervals representing successive time periods of the simulation, whereby the symbols of the displayed logic diagram are updated at each time interval.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
61 words
A system design tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each symbol representing a process on the displayed logic diagram can take one of at least three different appearances, a first appearance indicating a non-operational state of the process, a second appearance indicating that the process is processing data, and a third appearance indicating that the process is transmitting data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system design tool as claimed in claim 11, wherein said appearances are distinguished by different colours.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
62 words
A system design tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the simulating means includes logging means for recording events occurring during the simulation, including transfers of data, requests for data, and processing of data, and wherein said data output means is operable after the simulation is completed to supply the contents of said logging means to said display for diagnostic purposes.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
48 words
A system design tool as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising statistics generating means operable to process the contents of said logging means to provide statistics on the simulation, including statistics on the utilisation of interconnections, and operable to supply said statistics to said data output means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system design tool as claimed in claim 14, wherein said statistics generating means and data output means are arranged to produce said statistics in a graphical or pictorial form.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
34 words
A system design tool as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising printing or plotting means operable to receive the output of said data output means, for producing a permanent record of the simulation.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of simulating mathematically a complex interactive system, for use in system design, comprising steps of: representing the system as a plurality of interconnected processes; providing an algorithm for each process which models its function and its interconnections with other processes; combining the algorithms to produce an overall model of the system; providing data on initial conditions of the system; performing computations using computing means on the basis of the model and initial conditions so as to effect a simulation of the behaviour of the system; supplying the computing means with data on changes in conditions of the system during the course of the computations; displaying a diagram representing at least part of the system, having symbols representing the processes and their interconnections, and changing the appearance of the symbols during the course of the computations so as to indicate the progress and results of the simulation; and producing an output of the results of the whole simulation.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of simulating mathematically a complex interactive system, for use in system design, comprising steps of: representing the system as a plurality of interconnected processes; providing an algorithm for each process which models its function and its interconnections with other processes; combining the algorithms to produce an overall model of the system; providing data on initial conditions of the system; performing computations using computing means on the basis of the model and initial conditions so as to effect a simulation of the behaviour of the system; supplying the computing means with data on changes in conditions of the system during the course of the computations; displaying a diagram representing at least part of the system, having symbols representing the processes and their interconnections, and changing the appearance of the symbols during the course of the computations so as to indicate the progress and results of the simulation; and producing an output of the results of the whole simulation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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