Multimodel-multilevel coordinated decentralized control organization “CODECO”

Presents a hierarchical approach for the control and organization of production systems. A decomposition taking into account the production space structure, function and time product evaluation leads to a multimodel-multilevel decision network organization. A decision maker´s autonomy, knowledge distribution equilibrium and information transfer efficiency are the main characteristics of the proposed coordinated decentralized control organisation (CODECO). The knowledge of the multimodel internal structure of individual decision makers enables us to solve specific decision problems with time, space or combinatorial characteristics. The tracking coordination by the higher-level decision maker and the cooperation with the neighbourhood form a functional structure of the hierarchical network organization. Finally, several applications of this organizational approach are described with the aim of controlling continuous production systems and discrete flexible manufacturing systems