Re: Development process


"Tim Wescott" <tim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:Es2dnRhWrc_o9WzeRVn-iQ@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Setanta wrote:
I am interested in how many of you guys are directly involved in
developing
The neccessary modelling and control including software and hardware for
various systems.

The questions I am interested in answering are related to:

The staffing structure?

Varies widely, even within industries. Some of your later questions
imply embedded control, which I am much more qualified to talk about
than process control.

I am including process control as well in the sense that there may be an
element of statistical control of say a batch product that can be changed
on-line where neccesary e.g an actuator is moved. SCADA systems involving
Client/Server and Radio System Comms.

Condition Monitoring Systems and system ID also - if anyone has any contact
with this area


Is there say a modelling team, a hardware team, a software team and an
implementation team?

That depends on the size of the project. Usually if modeling is done at
all it is by an individual, unless you're talking about a _big_ project
like a jetliner or a power grid. Many control loops are controlled by
folks who are flying by the seat of their pants; in that case modeling
never really happens in any formal way.

There's often a separate hardware and software team. I'm not sure what
you mean by "implementation team" --

I'm thinking perhaps in the development process The proved hardware/software
design might be say, commissioned by another department or company.

generally if hardware and software
are not done by one and the same individual (often the same guy who
doesn't know enough to do the modeling) the teams will come together to
integrate their separate efforts into the whole.

How does the effect of so many (often competing) departments effect the
quality of the product and the time it takes for completion?

If a design effort is going to go at all smoothly it's because its
organized by project team. Even if there are separate 'hardware',
'software', etc., departments the individuals will still be responsible
to a project manager for their work delivered.

Of course you can have stupid competition that undermines this -- just
remember that Dilbert is not fantasy, it is a reflection of real life
that's been toned down to be believable.

Is there a Panacea for all of the ills??

Yes, but that sort of genetic engineering isn't currently possible, and
will probably be highly illegal if it ever is technically possible --
and who's going to sign off on the functional spec?


Are the modelling, coding and downloading to target hardware (micro
or/and
DSP) encapsulated in one system?

Varies widely. That depends. Often from one project to another within
a small company.

What would you use and for what projects.?


Once the target hardware is written to - how are changes to model
structure
and model variables implemented (Is this on-line in Real - Time?)

In many different ways. Usually by the time the target hardware and
software is done any control loops are pretty well established; changes
are more in the way of tweaking and tuning than wholesale model changes.

What are the Industry Standard Softwares used in development?

Probably MatLab, although I recommend SciLab 'cause it's free and has
more potential.

What do you use for FPGA development environment??



Regards

Kieran




--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Posting from Google? See http://cfaj.freeshell.org/google/


.

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