Structured analysis technique and technology in control systems design

A methodology and computer programs were developed for the Structured Analysis Technique and Technology (SATT) of sophisticated hardware-software systems. A typical example of systems of which the design and implementation could and should be supported by SATT are control systems of manufacturing cells. Flexible manufacturing cells (FMC) have been proven to be appropriate sized building blocks for large manufacturing systems. Our paper gives details on the main ideas of SATT methodology - in comparison with other systems - and on an IBM PC implementation of the programs (PC-SATT-DOC). The design process of a flexible manufacturing cell controller (FlexCell) is also demonstrated using the above mentioned means.