Object-oriented models for advanced automation engineering

摘要

The paper focuses on how the object-oriented paradigm can be exploited as a valid modelling technique in many engineering fields and, in particular, in advanced automation engineering. The most typical features of object-oriented modelling techniques include encapsulation of data, functions to access such data into objects, and hierarchical composition of objects. On the other hand, the large majority of complex systems, lie industrial plants and distributed control systems, can be decomposed into a hierarchical structure that facilitates system comprehension, design and control. Consequently, the object-oriented modelling technique is suited to real-world modelling, in particular in representing the hybrid dynamics (continuous-time, discrete-time and discrete-event) of industrial plants.