| 摘要 |
Adaptive control systems, in particular self-repairing monitoring and control networks of such systems which are computer controlled. Failure of the computer in known computerised control systems leads inevitably to the failure of the control system per se. The solution provided by the invention is a hierarchical arrangement of sub-controllers each of which comprises a programmable nodal element (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), pre-programmed e.g. by a separate disconnectible programming box (14) so that in operation failed links (6) between nodal elements are automatically re-routed via other nodal elements and failed nodal elements are replaced by nodal elements which then perform the duties of the failed nodal elements. This self-repairing programmable capability is made possible by the particular hierarchical arrangement used which includes at least one loop of sub-controllers (2...3) each of which is also connected to a sub-controller (5) of higher order. The invention is described with reference to but is not limited to a communications network. A mainframe computer (10) may be used to supervise or monitor the overall operation of the network, but it is not a critical part of the control system. |
