deltaFSD

deltaFSD is a data flow programming tool for modelling, simulation and automatic code generation.

You define a program by linking the inputs and outputs of functions. The links created between functions determine the interdependencies within the program and so the sequence in which the functions should be executed.

It attempts to reflect the way in which control and processing systems are normally specified - as a series of interconnected functional blocks.

Typically

This approach to specifying the algorithms also explicitly defines the dependencies between each of the elements. In the example above you know precisely when the volume must be recalculated - it is whenever either the pressure or temperature changes. As importantly, if they don't change then there is no need to perform any of the subsequent processing. If neither the pressure not temperature changes then the output is guaranteed to be stable.

deltaFSD exploits this approach by marrying:

• A graphic programming tool which matches this design approach.
• An execution engine which exploits the dependencies which are defined.

The deltaFSD implementation for the above might look like:

Using a graphical approach to defining a sequence of functions for execution isn't very impressive - any flow chart or structure diagram does this.

What marks out deltaFSD - and makes it practical for real time applications is that the graphical element is used to define a set of function sequences which can be fed to an execution engine.

The graphical tool outputs a function:variable framework which can be applied directly to the final application. The framework incorporates the dependencies needed for each element of the model.