LICS - Language for Implementation of Control Systems
Hilding Elmqvist · Lund University Publications (Lund University) · 1985
This report describes a language and an interactive environment, called LICS, for implementation of control systems and dynamic modelling. It used graphics for representation of the structural properties: hierarchical decomposition, interconnection structure, and structure of the interfaces. The decomposition and interconnection structures are described by block diagrams. Low level modules are described by equations. Much effort has been devoted to the design of an integrated language both for analog control and logic control. It resulted in powerful module and interconnection concepts that make it possible to develop libraries of modules for different applications. The user can build systems from such libraries without having to deal with details of their implementation. Documentation can be obtained at different levels of detail. The system is designed with modern graphical scientific personal computers in mind. Joysticks and mouse are used for continuous scroll, pan and zoom of the picture in real-time. A concept of information zooming is introduced. When, for example, zooming in on a module, it changes to a more detailed representation showing the internal structure. This work has been a part of the Program in Information Processing and Computer Science (Ramprogrammet i Informationsbehandling) which was initiated and sponsored by the National Swedish Board for Technical Development.