SimApp wiki

From Software Informer

[edit] SimApp

SimApp is dynamic simulation software for modeling systems in the time and frequency domains. Once the dynamic behavior is understood, changes to the system can be made or feedback control systems can be designed to make the system perform as desired. The computer simulation model is built visually through block diagrams. These are equivalent to signal-flow graphs^[1], and may be partially reduced through Mason's rule prior to simulation. Models begin as ordinary differential equations or Laplace transforms. Models can be described in a matrix state-space form (continuous or discrete), or as difference equations for digital processor-based controllers. The time simulations are done via numerical integration in order to include all non-linear effects. Various integration methods can be used from the Euler method, Runge-Kutta and Heun's predictor corrector method. Frequency responses are valid for linear systems only since they depend on the superposition principle. These models are developed as Bode Plots and Nyquist Plots. Bode plots allow stability and performance analysis of the complete system. Nyquist plots are best for describing the stability of the system.

[edit] Typical Applications

SimApp can model many types of systems that exhibit dynamics over time. Purely linear systems can be analyzed, however, it is often useful to include nonlinear effects for which analytical solutions cannot be made. Examples are mechanical and electrical systems and mechatronics. Hydraulic, chemical or thermal systems can also be analyzed or controlled.

[edit] Features

• System types
  • Time-invariant and time-varying
  • Continuous and discrete
  • Single Input Single Output (SISO)
  • Multiple input, multiple output (MIMO)
• Simulation in the time domain
  • Time plots
  • Phase plane plots
• Simulation in the frequency domain
  • Bode plots
  • Nyquist plot
  • Black's plot
• Built in controllers
  • A variety of Proportional-Integral-Derivative controllers: PI,PD, PID and variants
• Custom blocks
  • Models can be encapsulated within larger blocks for reuse and simplification.

[edit] Corporate History

SimApp was designed by Bruno Buesser in 1998. It was developed in German, and has been translated into English and French. Buesser Engineering is a privately held Swiss software company, headquartered in Rueti, near Zurich.

[edit] References

Clariana, R.; Strobel, J. (2007), Modeling Technologies. (pp. 329-344) in J.M. Spector, M.D. Merrill, J.J.G. van Merriënboer, & M.P. Driscoll (Eds.) AECT Handbook of Educational Communications and Technology. (3rd ed.), Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, ISBN 0415963389  Perrenoud, Andre (2004), Conception d'une sonde de densité pour les moûts en fermentation, http://www.iai.heig-vd.ch/accueil/Documents/Sonde_a_Mout(07sept2006).pdf, retrieved on April 14, 2009  Taschenbuch der praktischen Regelungstechnik (Handbook of Practical Control Theory). Carl Hanser Verlag. 2005. p. 575. ISBN 3-446-40302-7.  Vaclavik, I.; Etique, M. (13 September, 2002), Servoantriebstechnik - Einige Regelungstechnische Aspekte, http://php.iai.heig-vd.ch/~mee/cours/cours_er/LernModul/LaTeX/lernmodul.pdf, retrieved on April 14, 2009