TACL - a timeshared hybrid system for control laboratories

Abstract

A generalized control-system model encompassing a wide variety of systems has been programmed on the analog portion of a hybrid computation system. Five terminals with storage oscilloscopes are con nected to the hybrid computer and are serviced on a round-robin basis. The generalized system can be configured in milliseconds to a specific problem by setting the values of the digital coefficient units and switches of the analog system. A library of specific problems is kept on the system's digital disk. Students use the system by referencing a problem in the library and entering parameter values to define the problem from their terminals. The per-solution time varies with the time scale seZect ed, but averages around a few hundred milliseconds. A user-oriented compiler helps the instructor define new problems to be added. Digital values are assigned by the student to select ed parameters of specific problems, and families of curves representing system performance as a function of control settings may be displayed on the student's terminal. The terminals also display digital data and alphanumerical information.