Stateflow Explained
Stateflow (developed by MathWorks) is a control logic tool used to model reactive systems via state machines and flow charts within a Simulink model. Stateflow uses a variant of the finite-state machine notation established by David Harel, enabling the representation of hierarchy, parallelism and history within a state chart.[2] [3] Stateflow also provides state transition tables and truth tables.
Common uses
Stateflow is generally used to specify the discrete controller in the model of a hybrid system where the continuous dynamics (i.e., the behavior of the plant and environment) are specified using Simulink.[4] [5]
Specific applications for Stateflow include:
- Mode logic, where each discrete mode of a system is represented by a state[6]
- Fault management, where the Stateflow chart is used to control how the system responds to faults and failures within a system[7]
- Task scheduling, where the Stateflow chart is used to schedule when specific tasks occur, either within the Stateflow chart or within the overall Simulink model[8]
Extensions
A number of MathWorks and third-party tools can be used with Stateflow to validate the design and generate code. For example, Simulink Verification and Validation, a MathWorks tool, can be used to check for requirements traceability and model coverage analysis. Other add-on code generation tools can be used to automatically generate C, C++, HDL, and PLC code for implementation on embedded systems.
Notes and References
- http://www.mathworks.com/products/stateflow/requirements.html?s_cid=wiki_stateflow_1 MathWorks - Stateflow - Requirements
- http://www.mathworks.com/videos/tech-talks/state-machines/ MATLAB Tech Talks on the basics and usage of state machines
- http://pdf.aminer.org/000/257/915/hybrid_systems_described_by_the_complementary_formalism.pdf Simulation of Hybrid Systems Using Stateflow
- Gregoire Hamon . . An Operational Semantics for Stateflow. Presented at Fundamental Approaches to Software Engineering (FASE) Barcelona, Spain, March 2004. SRI International Computer Science Laboratory.
- http://www.mathworks.com/aerospace-defense/standards/FltDyn-CEV-08-148_MATLAB_Standards_v9_20111202.pdf Orion GN&C MATLAB/Simulink/Stateflow Standards
- A. Tiwari. Formal Semantics and Analysis Methods for Simulink Stateflow Models. SRI International Computer Science Laboratory.
- http://www.mathworks.com/tagteam/28434_AIAA_2005_Mosterman_Ghidella.pdf Requirements-Based Testing in Aircraft Control Design
- http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~dml46/Tutorials/BalancingBot/files/Embedded_Coder_Robot_NXT_Tips_En.pdf Embedded Coder Robot NXT Modeling Tips