SysML-based Optimisation of Global Variables Arrangement for Visualisation in Distributed Control Systems Oriented Towards Communication Performance

Abstract

Distributed Control Systems (DCSs) often perform complex and critical operations in the industry. To make work of operators easier, they are often equipped with Human-Machine Interface (HMI) panels that allow observing the current state of a process, as well as adjusting the configuration. However, when visualisation consists of several displays with many controls and a high number of calculations, it is possible to encounter some performance-related problems due to communication between a controller and the HMI panel. This problem can be limited by arranging global variables in the way that decreases the number of requests or transmitted data. The paper shows an approach of solving this problem, based on a set of SysML models that specify visualisation displays and auxiliary programs, together with involved global variables. The proposed approach can be expanded to operate as a part of a comprehensive methodology of modelling, implementation, visualisation, and testing of a DCS.