An approach to the hierarchical representation of self-embedded waveform by a feature tree based on peak dominance relations is proposed and a waveform parsing system is described.

According to the invention, the or each machine-independent program in the form of at least one hierarchical tree is loaded into the corresponding components of the automation system.

The design USES hierarchical design method, with the use of chain and tree data structure to achieve the FAT file system. It has well maintainability and portability.