What is SLICOT?
The subroutine library SLICOT provides Fortran 77 implementations of numerical algorithms for computations in control and systems theory. Strong emphasis has been given to implementation robustness, numerical stability and accuracy of algorithms, computational efficiency, standardization, benchmarking.
Based on BLAS and LAPACK, SLICOT provides basic tools for the analysis and design of control systems.
The current version of SLICOT consists of about 400 user-callable and computational routines, covering various domains of systems and control. Almost all of these routines have associated on-line documentation. About 200 routines have associated example programs, input data and results. New routines are continuously added. Using Fortran 77 guarantees a high reusability of the software, so that SLICOT can serve as computational core for various CACSD platforms. SLICOT routines have already been linked to MATLAB and Scilab.
Matlab/Scilab Gateways:
SLICOT-based gateways to MATLAB and Scilab are available for several computational problems like system analysis and synthesis, structured matrix decompositions, system identification, non-linear systems simulation, model and controller reduction, robust control. The gateways for MATLAB can be directly used under WINDOWS 95/98/NT/ME/2000.
Benchmarks:
The SLICOT library currently contains benchmark collections for standard and generalized continuous-time and discrete-time systems models, standard and generalized Lyapunov matrix equations, algebraic Riccati matrix equations, system identification, model reduction. Many of benchmark examples provided in SLICOT originate from "real world" applications.
Applications:
SLICOT controls systems: control of a tractor, control of microwaves, control of a distillation column, robust control of a disk drive servo system, flight control system of the Bell 205 helicopter.
SLICOT reduces models: linearized aircraft model of ATTAS, a CD-player FE model, a gasifier model, a catalytic tubular reactor, an FE model for optimal cooling of steel profiles.
SLICOT identifies processes: a glass furnace, an industrial evaporator, a CD player arm.
Availability:
SLICOT is copyrighted freeware and is freely available for scientific (non-commercial) use. Companies who want to integrate (part of) SLICOT into their commercial software need to sign a license agreement with the International Society NICONET.
End-users:
Engineering students, teaching assistants, PhD students, professors at technical institutes and universities;
Industrial software providers for a wide range of industries (automotive, intelligent manufacturing, process industry);
Research sections in big companies;
Potential barriers:
SLICOT users must install the SLICOT library themselves and/or integrate the library or selected SLICOT toolboxes into their own CACSD software packages. For Scilab and Matlab, gateways (MEX files) are provided but the user needs to install them. This reduced userfriendliness might slow down the transfer of SLICOT to industry and education.