Working Group "Fuzzy Logic and Fuzzy Control" of the VDINDE-GMA (German Association
of Mechanical and Electrical Engineers) UA451, Chairperson: Constantin van Altrock
Contact Address: Constantin von Altrock, M.Sc. E. E., h4. 0.R.
INFORM Germany, Phone: +49-2408-9456-80,Fax: i-49-2408-9456-85,E-mail: cva @ inform-ac.com
Inform Sofhyare Corp. U.S.A.,Phone: (708) 268-7550, Fax: (708) 268-7554, E-mail:fizzy@informusa.com
Abstract
In 1991, the German Association of Mechanical and Electri11 Engineers (VDINDE) established the working group UA451,
Pcusing on "Fuzzy Logic and Fuzzy Control", in its MeasureLent and Automation Chapter (GMA). The group is made up of
number of European pioneers in fuzzy logic applications, as
'ell as leading fuuy logic software and hardware suppliers. Its
7mpany members include: Allen-Bradley, Foxboro/Eckardt,
form Software, Intel, Klockner-Moeller, Microchip Technoloies, National Semiconductor, SGS-Thomson, Siemens Semiconuctor, and Texas Instruments. To promote fuzzy logic in indusial applications, the group focuses on two activities: providing
formation platforms for designers to exchange project experiw e s and fuzzy logic standardization. This paper presents some
f the intermediate results of the standardization activities.
51.
A detailed market research study counts 684 successful appliations of fuzzy logic in Europe by May 1994. Most demonstrate
iat a number of substantial benefits were achieved through the
se of fuzzy logic. Having identified the technical potential of
izzy logic in these applications, the technology is ready for
itroduction to a broader variety of developers of control sohons. The pioneering designers of fuzzy logic guarded against
le distraction of a large number of differing glossaries, methods,
nd algorithms utilized and proposed in scientific literature. To
romote a broad spectrum of successful fuzzy logic applications,
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In fuzzy logic design, no formally defined development procedures already exist. The working group UA451 shall define
such a development methodology based on the IS09000 general
system development guidelines. It will define and describe neces-
sary steps for completing a fuzzy logic design. These steps will
be both procedural and technological in nature. Procedural steps
define auditions and reviews; technological steps deal with the
design decisions relevant to each stage of the design. The guidelines will also classify the various fuzzy logic methods and algorithms to help with these design decisions.
Such a formalized development methodology should guide
novice practitioners along the most efficient track to a fuzzy logic
solution. This lowers the risk of failure simply because of problems navigating through the abundance of existing fuzzy set
theory. For experienced practitioners, the proposed development
methodology shall provide a formal frame to follow when creating and documenting real-world fuzzy logic solutions.
For simple fuzzy logic applications, the proposed development methodology shall even include "cookbook-like'' recipes.
This includes, for example, the choice of membership functions,
inference algorithms, and defuzzification routines. In addition,
guidelines for stability analysis and verification of fuzzy logic
systems shall be proposed [3].
The working group shall create this development methodology consistent with the general IS09000 development guidelines.
In general, the design of adaptive control systems is more difficult when compared to the design of the non-adaptive variety.
On the other hand, adaptive system design can expedite an acceptable solution.
A large number of applications have shown that fuzzy logic
technology accommodates the efficient design of adaptive systems. This is primarily because fuzzy logic allows the adaptation
strategies to be defined linguistically rather than by a mathematical model.
In designing adaptive fuzzy logic systems, it is important to
understand which part of the system shall be adapted for what
result. Non-experienced practitioners find themselves overwhelmed with the many degrees of freedom of how adaptation
can be applied with fuzzy logic systems. The working group
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Literature
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