Object-oriented models for advanced automation engineering

The paper focuses on how the object-oriented paradigm can be exploited as a valid modelling technique in many engineering fields and, in particular, i n advanced automation engineering. The most typical features of object-orie nted modelling techniques include encapsulation of data, functions to acces s such data into objects, and hierarchical composition of objects. On the o ther hand, the large majority of complex systems, like industrial plants an d distributed control systems, can be decomposed into a hierarchical struct ure that facilitates system comprehension, design and control. Consequently , the object-oriented modelling technique is suited to real-world modelling , in particular in representing the hybrid dynamics (continuous-time, discr ete-time and discrete-event) of industrial plants. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.