Symbolic Array Programming for Control System Analysis by Digital Computer

Abstract

A novel approach is provided for the analysis of multi-loop control systems by a digital computer introducing operational arrays , in which all the instructions are given through the data input. Changing parameters for optimisation purposes or the introducing of additional networks becomes a matter of changing the operational array in the data, leaving the main programme untouched. Although the method is general, only the frequency response of a control system is considered, but at the same time the way has been left open to expand the method as experience reveals the need for further facilities, i.e. root locus, time response, etc. The programme has been written in Algol, but the basic flow diagram can be easily converted into any other language. Whatever the language is, the programme provides the necessary software design facilities translated into control engineering terms in a readily usable computational form.