Agent-based software architecture for distributed measurement systems and cyber-physical systems design

Recently the technological advances have allowed the introduction of new standards to model and monitor control systems. The classical distributed measurement systems (DMSs) have been enriched with the use of a large number of new measurement devices, increasing the amount of produced data. New paradigms for their management are needed, that coupled with actuators, enable the integration of DMSs into more complex systems, known as Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs). CPSs application field includes different areas such as health care, power management in smart micro grids, and, more in general, management and execution of time-dependent event-driven systems. This paper proposes a framework that allows the modelling, analysis and the implementation of CPSs. In particular, the proposed framework introduces an original feature called model continuity that offers the possibility of using a same model for both simulation phase and real-time execution phase.

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Architecting an Agent-Based Fault Diagnosis Engine for IEC 61499 Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems

Future Internet ◽

10.3390/fi13080190 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 190

Author(s):

Barry Dowdeswell ◽

Roopak Sinha ◽

Stephen G. MacDonell

Keyword(s):

Software Architecture ◽

Early Stage ◽

Cyber Physical Systems ◽

Diagnostic Tools ◽

Design Development ◽

Current Function ◽

Agent Based ◽

Physical Systems ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Iec 61499

IEC 61499 is a reference architecture for constructing Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems (ICPS). However, current function block development environments only provide limited fault-finding capabilities. There is a need for comprehensive diagnostic tools that help engineers identify faults, both during development and after deployment. This article presents the software architecture for an agent-based fault diagnostic engine that equips agents with domain-knowledge of IEC 61499. The engine encourages a Model-Driven Development with Diagnostics methodology where agents work alongside engineers during iterative cycles of design, development, diagnosis and refinement. Attribute-Driven Design (ADD) was used to propose the architecture to capture fault telemetry directly from the ICPS. A Views and Beyond Software Architecture Document presents the architecture. The Architecturally-Significant Requirement (ASRs) were used to design the views while an Architectural Trade-off Analysis Method (ATAM) evaluated critical parts of the architecture. The agents locate faults during both early-stage development and later provide long-term fault management. The architecture introduces dynamic, low-latency software-in-loop Diagnostic Points (DPs) that operate under the control of an agent to capture fault telemetry. Using sound architectural design approaches and documentation methods, coupled with rigorous evaluation and prototyping, the article demonstrates how quality attributes, risks and architectural trade-offs were identified and mitigated early before the construction of the engine commenced.

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