Simulation of Large-Scale Networked Control Systems Using GTSNetS

Abstract

This paper presents a simulation framework for distributed control using wireless sensor networks. The proposed framework is an extension of the Georgia Tech Sensor Network Simulator (GTSNetS). The new features include models for different elements of a control loop: an actuator class, a plant class and a user defined controller application class. These models are integrated with the existing models for various components of a sensor network, different network protocols, energy models and collaboration strategies. We present different architectures for sensor networks in distributed control, depending on whether the sensing, the controller or the actuator elements of the control loop are distributed or centralized. Our tool allows the simultaneous study of the effects of control and network strategies in a distributed control system.