Minimization of blocking time in component-based software architecture for control systems

In this paper, the architecture of Port-Interface Component Architecture for Real-time system Design (PICARD) is briefly introduced. PICARD is a software architecture and environment for rapid development of application control systems using pre-compiled software components. When a control task has to run at a high frequency, its maximum blocking time should be minimized. Because components are developed and compiled separately, it is not easy to apply traditional methods to reduce blocking time. Two methods are proposed for PICARD to reduce the maximum blocking time. These methods are efficient and easy to implement. PICARD is successfully applied to build a CNC controller, and its real-time characteristics is analyzed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.