Linear Discrete-Event Systems: An Architecture and Simulator

Nonlinear plants are often represented by a set of linearized models valid only in certain restricted regions of the plant's operation. It is advantageous to be able to automatically switch between these models in a gain-scheduled fashion using observed plant outputs -- for these are readily accessible and are often useful indicators of the continued validity or the sudden non-validity of a given linearized model. This short paper discusses a FORTRAN-based simulator for a synchronous form of these discrete-event "switched linear systems". Multiple linear plant models are run in parallel and a finite state machine for switching between such models is brought into play. The realizations defined by the simulator avoid the use of random ad-hoc switching logic, thus reducing the number of design parameters needed to effect given behaviors.