Application of the sequence diagrams in the design of distributed control system

Abstract

The paper describes the use of the sequence diagrams in the design and analysis of the control software for biotechnological process. The goal was to automate the substrate preparation process. In many situations, a slight change in the substrate preparation procedure may lead to significant changes in the software performing this procedure. Assuming that the substrate can be prepared in two different ways (sequential or concurrent preparation of its components), it is shown that the UML sequence diagrams can be effective in analysis of the possible scenarios. As a result, one can obtain a control software that is suitable for each of the possible scenarios, and that can be easily implemented in the hierarchical distributed control system.