Predictive system-level control

Predictive system-level control

Optimizing system performance by anticipating the system’s next operational use

Today’s high-tech embedded systems need to provide optimal performance under a wide range of inputs, either from the user or the environment. For example, a state-of-the-art printing system has to handle a large variety of paper types and print jobs. For the internal system design, each input category is represented by a separate operational mode.

During operation, a mode transition may cause a large disruption of the overall system performance. As a result, the transition between operating modes must be carefully managed.

The predictive system-level control method incorporates techniques that anticipate a system’s next operational use. It prepares the system’s transition from one mode to another as soon as a mode-switching event is foreseen. By iterative optimization of system transitions, a higher overall system performance can be achieved.

Method description
  1. Create a system model with discrete modes and continuous states

  2. Develop a control algorithm that uses this model, and an input horizon to determine the best future system state and a smooth transition towards it

  3. Apply the control algorithm repeatedly to continuously guide the system to the best operational system state

Additional information