Virtual prototyping for integration of the control system design chain

A new methodology for virtual prototyping based integration of the control system design chain has been developed. The core idea is to substitute a virtual prototype for the real plant in all phases of the design chain. In comparison with the conventional approaches, the main advantage of the methodology is that it results in a high degree of integration, automaticity and formalization of control system design. Neither an explicit mathematical model of the plant, nor its embodiment is needed. The control system can be developed as entirely based on virtual prototyping simulation data except for a few design parameters. The methodology is illustrated by means of a conceptual example of trapeze double pendulum's control system development. Also, a sketch of a broader scale virtual prototyping based integration of the control system design chain and the process of product manufacturing is provided.