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Model Synchronous Subsystems by Using Parallelism

Step 4 of 7 in Model Finite State Machines

To implement operating modes that run concurrently, use parallelism in your Stateflow® chart. For example, as part of a complex system design, you can employ parallel states to model independent components or subsystems that are active simultaneously. For more information, see Model Finite State Machines.

State Decomposition

Stateflow charts can combine exclusive (OR) states and parallel (AND) states:

  • Exclusive (OR) states represent mutually exclusive modes of operation. No two exclusive states at the same hierarchical level can be active or execute at the same time. Stateflow represents each exclusive state by a solid rectangle.

    Stateflow chart with two exclusive (OR) states.

  • Parallel (AND) states represent independent modes of operation. Two or more parallel states can be active at the same time, although they execute in a serial fashion. Stateflow represents each parallel state by a dashed rectangle with a number indicating its execution order.

    Stateflow chart with two parallel (AND) states.

All states at a given hierarchical level must be of the same type. The parent state, or in the case of top-level states, the chart itself, has OR (exclusive) or AND (parallel) decomposition. The default state decomposition type is OR (exclusive). To change the decomposition type, right-click the parent state and select Decomposition > AND (Parallel).

Example of Parallel Decomposition

This example uses:

Open Model

This example employs parallelism to implement an air controller that maintains air temperature at 120 degrees in a physical plant.

The controller operates two fans. The first fan turns on when the air temperature rises above 120 degrees. The second fan provides additional cooling when the air temperature rises above 150 degrees. The chart models these fans as parallel states FAN1 and FAN2, both of which are active when the controller is turned on. Except for their operating thresholds, the fans have an identical configuration of states and transitions that reflects the two modes of fan operation (On and Off).

A third parallel state SpeedValue calculates the value of the output data airflow based on how many fans have cycled on at each time step. The Boolean expression in(FAN1.On) has a value of 1 when the On state of FAN1 is active. Otherwise, in(FAN1.On) equals 0. Similarly, the value of in(FAN2.On) represents whether FAN2 has cycled on or off. The sum of these expressions indicates the number of fans that are turned on during each time step.

Combine Exclusive (OR) and Parallel (AND) States

This table lists the rationale for using exclusive (OR) and parallel (AND) states in the air controller chart.

StateDecompositionRationale
PowerOff, PowerOnExclusive (OR) statesThe controller cannot be on and off at the same time.
FAN1, FAN2Parallel (AND) statesThe fans operate as independent components that turn on or off depending on how much cooling is required.
FAN1.On, FAN1.OffExclusive (OR) statesFan 1 cannot be on and off at the same time.
FAN2.On, FAN2.OffExclusive (OR) statesFan 2 cannot be on and off at the same time.
SpeedValueParallel (AND) stateSpeedValue represents an independent subsystem that monitors the status of the fans at each time step.

Note

To give objects unique identifiers when they have the same name in different parts of the chart hierarchy, use dot notation such as Fan1.On and Fan2.On. For more information, see Identify Data by Using Dot Notation.

Order of Execution for Parallel States

Although FAN1, FAN2, and SpeedValue are active concurrently, these states execute in serial fashion during simulation. The numbers in the upper-right corners of the states specify the order of execution. The rationale for this order of execution is:

  • FAN1 executes first because it cycles on at a lower temperature than FAN2. It can turn on regardless of whether FAN2 is on or off.

  • FAN2 executes second because it cycles on at a higher temperature than FAN1. It can turn on only if FAN1 is already on.

  • SpeedValue executes last so it can observe the most up-to-date status of FAN1 and FAN2.

By default, Stateflow assigns the execution order of parallel states based on their order of creation in the chart. To change the execution order of a parallel state, right-click the state and select a value from the Execution Order drop-down list.

Explore the Example

The Stateflow example contains a Stateflow chart and a Simulink® subsystem.

Simulink model that simulates an air controller system.

Based on the air temperature temp, the Air Controller chart turns on the fans and passes the value of airflow to the Physical Plant subsystem. This output value determines the amount of cooling activity, as indicated by this table.

Value of airflowDescriptionCooling Activity Factor kCool
0No fans are running. The value of temp does not decrease.0
1One fan is running. The value of temp decreases according to the cooling activity factor.0.05
2Two fans are running. The value of temp decreases according to the cooling activity factor.0.1

The Physical Plant block updates the air temperature inside the plant based on the equations

temp(0) = TInitial

temp'(t) = (TAmbient - temp(t))·(kHeat - kCool),

where:

  • TInitial is the initial temperature (default = 70o)

  • TAmbient is the ambient temperature (default = 160o)

  • kHeat is the heat transfer factor for the plant (default = 0.01)

  • kCool is the cooling activity factor corresponding to airflow

The new value of temp determines the amount of cooling at the next time step of the simulation.

Related Topics

Model Finite State Machines
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